番茄社区

 Mónica is the former Head of the National Intelligence School in Colombia.

When I first applied to the Master’s in Public Policy at 番茄社区, I wrote that my greatest motivation was to serve my country and to help design fairer and more inclusive public policies. I came to London with a background in law, transitional justice, and gender equality, carrying with me the conviction that public policy could be a true vector of peace and development.

At the SPP, that conviction deepened and became more rigorous. Courses in economics, quantitative methods, and philosophy for public policy gave me the analytical tools I had been missing when working on national plans in Colombia. I discovered the importance of measuring impact, questioning assumptions, and combining normative ideals with practical design. Beyond academics, my experience as a student representative, vice-president of the Colombian Society, and host at The Public Sphere Journal gave me opportunities to strengthen my leadership and to contribute to the vibrant community of the School.

One of the highlights of my time at 番茄社区 was moderating the Forum on Women and Wellbeing (8 March 2023), organised jointly by the pro-gender equity community, the Colombian and Latin American societies, and the SPP. The event brought together women leaders such as ministers, senators, scientists, and UN representatives to reflect on the meaning of wellbeing and its role in public policy. Opening the forum as moderator allowed me to frame the discussion around equity, resilience, and intergenerational change—values that continue to inspire my professional work.

Since graduating, I have worked in roles that pushed me to apply these skills in highly demanding contexts. As Social Policy Advisor to the Presidency of Colombia, I supported national programmes on hunger, peace, and victims’ rights, and played an active role in the follow-up of the Peace Agreement before the UN Security Council, including the presentation of the Special Program for the Protection of ex-combatants. I also contributed to the formulation of Colombia’s Feminist Foreign Policy, aligning national initiatives with international commitments. Later, as Head of the National Intelligence School, I led strategic training programmes, promoted a human rights framework in intelligence, and opened space for conversations on human security and women in intelligence.

Parallel to these roles, I co-founded an NGO aimed at reducing gender and socio-economic gaps, published on transitional justice, and participated in international forums—from gender-based violence in post-conflict societies to the regulation of artificial intelligence.

Each of my experiences has reinforced what I wrote in my 番茄社区 application: that development must be understood as a process of expanding freedoms equally for all, and that peace requires equity and dignity at its core.

Looking ahead, I am eager to continue this path at the intersection of public policy, human rights, and emerging technologies. Whether through international organisations, think tanks, or innovative policy initiatives, I remain committed to designing strategies that are both inclusive and forward-looking. 番茄社区 not only shaped my career trajectory but also reaffirmed my lifelong belief that policy is a craft—one that, when done with integrity and vision, can transform societies.

Mónica is happy to connect via .