A&S alum Elizabeth Tudor-Beziés has realized her dream of working in foreign service.
Tudor-Beziés, who earned her honours bachelor of arts in 2016 as a member of Trinity College, became interested in policy and governance as a 15-year-old in high school. Now, she is working at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations, representing Canada’s interests on an international scale.
“It's very much a ‘pinch-me’ moment, because the UN is such an important tool for us in Canada,” says Tudor-Beziés, who graduated with a double major in political science and European studies.
In this role, she’s fighting for the human rights of disadvantaged groups, while also engaging in her interest in learning about how the world works.
Of Balkan and French background, Tudor-Beziés has always desired to learn more about Europe. That was, in part, what led her to U of T — the alma mater of her mother and aunt.
“The political science program gave me so many options to develop the expertise I wanted and catered to my interests, which I really appreciated,” she says. “European studies helped me find my way in the U of T system, which can be very large.”
“I also really developed my writing skills and ability to analyze things in different ways, which is super helpful with my career now. I can write reports in a way that is concise but also well-considered.”
The most memorable experience of her undergrad involved travelling abroad for an independent study program in Georgia.
“We got to go into the field and interview a wide range of people — not just academics but professionals, government officials, UN officials — it was a great opportunity to both discuss our research and ask them questions,” Tudor-Beziés says.
We are fighting for the rights for all persons, including persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities and women. We have a really big focus on advancing women's rights and committing to gender parity.
“I cannot stress enough: studying abroad is very important if you want to get into international affairs because it gives you a broader perspective of how the world works.”
Tudor-Beziés began her career as an intern in the UN system, and that's where she stayed. Now, she and her team take direction from Ottawa to work toward resolutions that combat racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia, protect the rights of women, people with disabilities, youth and older persons, and more.
“We are fighting for the rights for all persons, including persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities and women,” Tudor-Beziés says. “We have a really big focus on advancing women's rights and committing to gender parity.”
In 2023, Tudor-Beziés worked on a resolution on youth that protected their essential rights, including the sexual reproductive health of girls.
“The sexual reproductive health and rights of girls are being attacked more and more nowadays, so really trying to advance those rights was really important for us and for me personally as well,” she says.
I didn't think I would stay in the UN bubble for a long time, but I'm happy I did. I think it's such an important institution for us. I'm excited to now represent Canada here and hopefully serve our interests.
This year, Tudor-Beziés will be Canada’s lead negotiator for the Political Declaration of the Second World Summit for Social Development, a key UN process that will shape how the international community tackles poverty eradication, enduring decent jobs for all and achieving social justice.
Tudor-Beziés also helps organize Canada’s participation in various UN conferences, which often include ministerial participation, including the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.
“I didn't think I would stay in the UN bubble for a long time, but I'm happy I did,” she says. “I think it's such an important institution for us. I'm excited to now represent Canada here and hopefully serve our interests.”