Safecity Emerging Leader- Erika Menezes

Safecity is celebrating the journey of people who have emerged as leaders as our campaigns progressed in their communities through our blog series “Safecity Emerging Leaders“. Read the inspiring stories of these individuals who are passionate about making their neighbourhoods safer with Safecity and have taken action in their own special ways. 

Safecity Emerging Leader- Erika Menezes

Erika Menezes is a Law/Arts graduate interested in using social media to help make the world a better place. She has experience working in marketing and communications, having been the Google Student Ambassador at her university and an Internal Communications and Marketing Intern for Redhat (Brisbane). She almost always has a camera in her hands and loves art, puns, jurisprudence and Studio Ghibli movies.

She says, “I am incredibly grateful to be recognised a Safecity’s Emerging Leader. I have learned so much from engaging with the team, other volunteers and seeing their work.”

“Safecity’s platform is unique and highlights the transformative nature of the intersection between physical and online environments as a way to make our cities more accessible to all members of the community. I am inspired by the inroads the team has made by fostering connections between the government, community leaders, law enforcement and, via the data they’ve helped aggregate and analyse the lived experiences of ordinary people. I find these interactions between key stakeholders fascinating and have been learning how effective community campaigns can be organised to promote strong working relationships between these interest groups.

I first learned about Safecity through my Aunt, and from there began researching Safecity’s campaigns and intiatives, before reaching out to the Safecity’s Founder, Elsa Dsilva, about wanting to volunteer my time. Since then I’ve contributed to Safecity by creating a set of social media guidelines and policies for its volunteers and contributors, and helped expand dialogue to new forums.

I look forward to seeing Safecity continue raising awareness about issues that matter and affect communities globally. As Safecity’s first Australian volunteer, I see applicability in its campaigns at a regional level and have no doubt that I am simply the first of many.”