Anjana Balachandran: Political science student set to make her mark at NATO youth summit

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Anjana Balachandran
Political science student Anjana Balachandran has been chosen to attend the prestigious NATO Youth Summit in Washington June 5. Her commitment to youth advocacy has propelled her to represent our students and young citizens internationally.

The NATO Youth Summit brings together young leaders from NATO member and partner countries to engage in discussions on international security and peacekeeping. It serves as a platform for them to voice their perspectives on contemporary issues, providing an opportunity to interact with experts, policymakers and diplomats.

The summit highlights  the inclusion of youth in critical conversations, acknowledging that they aren’t just tomorrow’s leaders, but also essential contributors to today’s decision-making processes. Anjana will join the ranks of young individuals committed to peace, co-operation and security, fostering a new generation of NATO leadership.

Anjana has an impressive portfolio focusing on international security and policy development. Recently, she has served as an intern at Global Affairs Canada’s Division for Non-Proliferation, Disarmament and Space, a policy analyst at Public Safety Canada and a strategic consultant for Accenture. She has worked with the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania, the NATO Association of Canada and the Rideau Institute, where she played a part in Canada’s peacekeeping initiatives. She also took part in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program at uOttawa, focusing on gun violence and gun control in Canada.

Anjana has shown a strong commitment to social advocacy and mentorship. She spent nearly four years as a member of Senator Marilou McPhedran’s Canadian Council of Young Feminists, and she worked in the Faculty of Social Sciences as a student mentor. She was involved in Enactus, as well, serving as vice president, project development, focusing on food insecurity in Ottawa communities.

Anjana’s dedication to her community has been recognized through several awards, including the Federation of Canadian Municipalities 2023 Mayor Andrée P. Boucher Memorial Scholarship, the HSBC Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Award and a Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers in 2022.

Anjana hopes to attend law school after completing her bachelor’s. Her ambition is to work at the intersection of international relations, diplomacy and security. Her extensive experience in political science, policy research and youth advocacy makes her a model representative for the NATO Youth Summit.

We’re proud of Anjana’s accomplishments and wish her the best as she prepares to make her mark on the global stage. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!