Felipe Estefan specializes on open government, public diplomacy and digital engagement. Estefan is currently part of the World Bank Institute’s Open Government practice – which focuses on initiatives in open contracting, open budgeting, and on the application of ICTs for better governance. Prior to joining the World Bank, Estefan served as Planning Producer for CNN. He has designed and implemented engagement strategies for clients and organizations in the public and private sectors, including the Office of the Vice President of Colombia and hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons. Estefan, a native of Bogotá, Colombia, graduated from the Public Diplomacy program at Syracuse University. He holds an MA in International Relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and an MS in Public Relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He can be reached at festefan@worldbank.org or on Twitter: @FelipeEstefan.
The open government movement has a very real challenge: ensuring that open government efforts continue to positively transform the lives of citizens around the world. In the pursuit of true, sustainable impact from openness, contracting is a key component. Open Contracting – the collaborative effort focused on enhanced disclosure and participation around contracting processes –