Since November 2022 you have been working as the Diversity and Inclusion Adviser at UNICEF. Can you tell us more about your role?
Ramses: I chose to work for the NGO sector rather than a private security company as I want to make meaningful contributions to global issues. It has been incredibly empowering to realise that the work I do, even if it's largely administrative, has a tangible impact on real people's lives.
At UNICEF, Ive been guiding on matters of diversity and inclusion, particularly in our ongoing journey towards combating racism. When I joined UNICEF, the team was amid an anti-racist review, which shed light on the experiences of colleagues and underscored the need for reflection on this matter within the third sector. Since then, there has been a concerted effort to decolonise our work and critically examine our methods and discourse.
What insights can you share from your work on promoting inclusive language?
Ramses: I've dedicated over a year to this project, and we recently concluded it. It aimed to identify and improve the language we use internally to address each other, fostering opportunities for colleagues to discuss their own identities and backgrounds. It's been an invaluable opportunity to understand diverse perspectives.
Drawing from my personal experience as a transgender person, I've been actively engaged in projects related to transgender and non-binary inclusion, such as publishing articles and contributing to policy development. This has prompted me to reconsider my approach, moving from local and regional projects to a broader international scope, and considering how our actions impact a much larger audience.
What does inclusion mean to you?
Ramses: I've answered this many times, and I always give a different answer because there's just so much to it. For me, inclusion is about trust, safety and security. It's about being able to speak openly and aware of the interactions and the power dynamics that are in the room. It's ensuring that everyone in the room feels comfortable, especially the most marginalised.
When people talk about inclusion, there's often a tendency to be overly general, assuming that broad terms encompass everyone, but that's not always the case. Inclusion isn't just about bringing people together; it's about empowering people to recognise power dynamics, embrace diverse perspectives, and be open to having their views challenged. It's about valuing and truly listening to differing opinions, being flexible to adapt, and being willing to cede authority when necessary. True inclusion means fostering a sense of community, embracing diversity, and sometimes stepping back to allow leadership from those with different experiences and perspectives. It also involves acknowledging and learning from mistakes and taking responsibility for them.
Could you tell us about journey, what led you to become a transgender inclusion activist?
Ramses: I started my journey with activism around the age of 13, sneaking out of my house to attend protests and distribute pamphlets despite the disapproval of my parents. When I began my studies at King's, I found comfort in the safety and acceptance offered by the university, especially coming from a small, transphobic town, where I always had to fight to get any amount of respect, safety or security. It was kind of a culture shock when I moved to London, as I could just sit back, study, make friends, and enjoy things. However, I soon realised that even in a better environment, there was room for improvement. This led me to volunteer extensively, initially in schools, where I shared my experiences with students, and later in various community centres and organisations. I was also involved in the largest trans education group on Facebook, and I was the first trans certify community manager on Facebook.
When my social and medical transition happened, I also realised there was a need for anyone to understand how to best support trans people in various environments and situations. So, I started writing again. I've always loved writing and had a few articles and an essay published anonymously, but I never published anything under my name, so I wanted to share my experience out there and own it with my actual name. For my contributions to trans inclusion, I was honoured by Lloyd’s Banking Group as a Rainbow LGBTQ+ Model 2020-2022. Normally, I don't really take company awards seriously, but considering they have about 70,000 employees, it did feel quite impressive when I received a letter of recognition from them, as I was one of the most active volunteers, helping to raise over £300,000. In 2022, I was also nominated as Community Role Model in the Pink News Awards, and I was selected by LinkedIn as one of the top ten voices to follow.
How does transgender inclusion apply to conflict and security? ?
Ramses: There are a couple of different issues, like queer safety and how it's often weaponised in conflicts. For example, we're currently witnessing this dynamic in the Israel-Palestine conflict, where supporters of Israel use the alleged queer inclusivity of the country to justify their stance. However, if we delve deeper into the situation, we see countless queer people at risk. It's difficult, if not impossible, for colonised countries to address queer issues amid active conflicts and resource shortages. Similarly, people may struggle to explore their queerness amidst instability and crises in their personal lives. Just as you can't expect queer liberation without broader societal liberation, you can't expect genuine inclusion when there's no room for liberation at all. While I don't have a definitive solution, I strongly believe that decolonisation should be a central focus in our efforts. This approach can empower nations to reclaim their sovereignty and foster inclusivity independently, free from external influence.
Another issue is that plenty of trans people who, for a variety of reasons, are drawn to work in job roles or companies that don't necessarily align with their values because they struggle with access to healthcare, housing and job security. In countries like the US, if you don't have a job, you don't have health insurance, which means a lot of people can't transition and they will take whatever job they need to achieve that. There are many people I know who have been suicidal for that or facing big mental health issues. We need a balance on how people should be allowed to choose the career path that best suits them, rather than having to make decisions based on money. However, this is a broader issue, not just a war studies issue.
Why did you decide to study at King’s?
Ramses: We didn't have war studies as a university programme in Italy and I've always had an interest in history, risk analysis, and diplomacy. It just seemed like something that also aligned with my love for public speaking. So, it appeared to be a combination of various interests, and I wanted to pursue something impactful, something that would help people. It was a great opportunity to learn how to do a significant impact on a large scale and further develop the skills I truly cared about—like writing, critical thinking, public speaking, understanding mechanisms and connections, and my interest in history, particularly contemporary politics.
How was your experience studying the BA in War Studies?
Ramses: For me, the biggest thing was just being able to interact with so many international students. As it was my first time coming on my own, it was nice to not feel like I was the only student studying abroad; there were so many people from different countries. I met some other Italian students, and they just made the experience feel very different. There was such a diverse group of students was really interesting to see, particularly when we're studying conflicts and countries that may have been impacted. Also, the support and connections from the Department of War Studies were great, and the vibrant life at King's is probably one of the things I miss the most.
What advice would you give to current and prospective students who aspire to pursue a career similar to yours?
Ramses: I would say that War Studies has given me way more skills than I even realised at the time. It covers such a broad range of topics and skills that I never felt stuck in terms of career options. In fact, the more I delved into it, the more I discovered different ways to apply my background in my career. The main challenge for me was once I had the information and skills, I had to think about how to find a job that aligned with my values and ethics. My main message is that there are jobs like that out there; you just need to look for them. I never feel like you must compromise between your knowledge, skills, and values, but it requires thinking outside the box or taking a leap of faith in some cases.
When starting out in my career, it felt like I needed to seize any opportunity I could find. However, as I gained experience and expertise, I found that my approach completely changed, even in interviews. Of course, I also acknowledge that this comes from a place of privilege, as there were times in my life when I didn't have the financial security to be selective and had to take whatever job I could find. As long as you continue to build confidence in your skills, you'll reach a point where you can present yourself and ensure that companies are hiring you for you and not just for the role.
Do you think there are enough opportunities for people who want to start a career in NGOs or organisations like UNICEF?
Ramses: UNICEF tends to be quite competitive. When I applied, they mentioned they had about 200 or 300 applicants and only interviewed around 10 for the first round, and then just me and another candidate. Also, many jobs now aim to be more inclusive by screening applicants without considering CVs or university names. They focus more on scenario-based questions and applications during the interview process. So, you may not need to mention where you studied, but it will show in terms of your knowledge, skills and how you present yourself.
The job market has also been pretty challenging since COVID-19. I've definitely encountered lots of hurdles in my job search, even with my extensive experience. In the past, I used to hear back from every job application I sent out, albeit with rejections. Now, the time frames for everything have extended significantly, making the job market more competitive. However, I have found that the third sector and NGOs are particularly good at valuing lived experience and transferable skills over specific qualifications or expertise. They often have lots of entry-level positions because the expectation is that you will learn on the job. And although the salaries may not be as competitive as other jobs, they often offer additional benefits, such as funding for professional courses or attendance at events and conferences. So, even if the role wasn't exactly what you are looking for in terms of field or topic, it could still be valuable because it’s an opportunity to develop the skills you need while working for them.