A public servant. That is how María Pía Amorín describes the journalist, a key player in fostering an informed citizenry.
It was with this vision in mind that Amorín applied for the tenth edition of a program designed to promote the region’s development through a network of highly trained public servants committed to the public interest: the Botín Foundation’s Program for Strengthening the Civil Service in Latin America.
Following an extensive selection process, he was one of 32 university students chosen from a pool of more than 800 finalists from 450 Ibero-American universities. The program—which will take place from October 27 to December 3, 2019—will allow Amorín to receive training at Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.), the University of Salamanca, and the Botín Foundation (Spain). Additionally, on December 6, there will be a gathering in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) for all participants from previous editions, as the program celebrates its tenth anniversary.
Amorín talked about the application process and his expectations for the program.
Why did you apply for this scholarship? Why is it important to you?
Earlier this year, I walked into theInternationalOffice having decided to further my studies. I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for, but I wanted a challenge that would shake up my final year as a Communication major.
While talking with the ORT team, I mentioned that, beyond journalism, I’ve always been passionate about international studies and that, as I progressed in my studies, I tried to intertwine the two disciplines. Perhaps it was because of the romantic idea of bringing the world together through words, or perhaps it was because I believed in the power of the voice.
The team recommended that I apply to the Program for Strengthening the Civil Service in Latin America, a multidisciplinary initiative that aligned perfectly with my interests. I immediately set out to find more information about the Botín Foundation and the extraordinary work it does. From day one, I was convinced that this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
Today, knowing that I’m going to have this fantastic opportunity, I’m certain that it marks the beginning of a new chapter, in which I’ll start building a career that’s tailored to me.
What was the application process like?
The application process took several months and was quite demanding. Without a doubt, the program proved to be a challenge from the very beginning.
It began with an initial application to rector , Dr. Jorge Grünberg, who selected 15 students to later apply directly to the Botín Foundation. Once the 15 applications were approved, the competition began: six qualifying rounds until the winning student was chosen.
Thematic essays, extensive in-depth questionnaires about each of us, and videos documenting our daily lives were some of the activities proposed by the foundation.
What are your expectations for the program? What do you hope to learn?
I know I'm going to learn a lot. For me, it's a fantastic opportunity to learn more about areas that I find fascinating.
The program focuses on strengthening public institutions in the Southern Cone and on public administration, but it also offers courses ranging from geopolitics and geostrategy to corruption and economic development. There is also a coaching team available to students, with the goal of enhancing our leadership skills and finding ways to exponentially expand our capabilities.
I believe that, even though several disciplines lie outside the scope of my current training as a communicator, they will certainly help me develop a more well-rounded professional perspective.
The program is designed for Latin American college students who aim to change the world based on their own experiences. What contribution would you like to make based on your background in Communication and Journalism?
I’d like to foster a collaborative process through which we can share our dreams and develop ideas together. From what I’ve heard, students from various disciplines—each with different perspectives and aspirations—will be participating, which could be incredibly beneficial to the experience itself.
As for my contribution to the world… At first, the call for submissions invited us to reflect on what defines a public servant. Today, I feel that journalists are public servants, because they help build a conscious, informed, and strong citizenry. Without a doubt, I have always believed that communication is essential to a well-functioning society. I know it has the potential to forge strong bonds between different nationalities, religions, and ways of thinking.
What is new to me, though, is the call to focus on building and sustaining public institutions, along with the opportunity to learn how to develop public policies. We’ll see what happens!