Viviana Montoya
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MA International Development Studies 2014
Project Manager - United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in Colombia
For Viviana Montoya, her master鈥檚 thesis was the start of a new professional journey. It opened the door to join the United Nations Institute for Training and Research in Colombia.
While studying for a bachelor鈥檚 degree in International Relations in her home country, Colombia, Viviana thought her future might be at an exporting company, probably managing relations with clients. However, her career took a radical turn after getting an IDS master鈥檚 degree at Dalhousie.
鈥淚 work in the development sector, and I do manage relations with different organizations at the national and international level, but doing social work鈥�, says Montoya.
As Project Manager at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research in Colombia, the IDS alumna is involved in writing project proposals, monitoring progress towards project goals, and building partnerships with local organizations.
Montoya has played a lead role in the project 鈥樷��. The project aims to strengthen the resilience of youth from marginalized communities and their capacities to prevent future conflicts.
The first phase of this project, called 鈥楶intando el futuro鈥� (Painting the future), supported former child soldiers in the process of reintegrating into their families and communities by sharing their experiences in four . This process was carried out with the local organization .
鈥淭hrough the comics, we aim to tear down the stigma walls, to prevent recruitment, and to encourage children and youth to accept and welcome those who were part of armed groups鈥�, Montoya explains.
For Montoya, the most rewarding part of working with UNITAR is to see positive changes in the lives of children, youth and staff from grassroots organizations. 鈥淏y training professionals, we transform their lives too鈥�, says Montoya, referring to the psychologists and social workers that implement UNITAR-funded projects in 20 out of the 32 departments of the country.
This professional journey started right after graduation from Dalhousie鈥檚 IDS master鈥檚 program in 2014. 鈥淭he degree not only opened my eyes, it also cleared my professional path鈥�, affirms Montoya. 鈥淭hesis supervisors and second readers are usually very busy people, but I never felt let down by Dalhousie. Thanks to the research I was able to do, I am where I am today鈥�.
Montoya鈥檚 thesis 鈥� inquired about the experiences of female adolescents that were part of armed groups, and advocated for their agency to be considered in the rights鈥� restitution process.
Montoya was one of the two first-ever recipients of the scholarship awarded by . The scholarship funded Montoya鈥檚 thesis research and then offered her the opportunity to implement a project to support child soldiers in Colombia. Through that project, Montoya started working with UNITAR.
Besides the support to the research process, Montoya highlights how the master鈥檚 program 鈥渟trengthens the capacity to analyze social phenomena and enhances critical thinking.鈥� Montoya says that the degree allowed her to see the big picture of the development sector and taught her to pursue investigative rigour.
The experience as a graduate student at Dalhousie and as a professional in UNITAR has led Montoya to conclude that self-confidence is key to thrive in the sector.
In Montoya鈥檚 view, IDS graduates have auspicious prospects: 鈥淭he world is acknowledging the relevance of sustainable development. Every sector of the economy needs professionals specialized in development, so we have a broader scope of action鈥�.
Currently, Montoya invests her time and heart in developing new programs of Human Rights education for youth, prevention of gender-based violence, and support for agricultural initiatives from rural communities. To those who pursue a similar career path, Montoya sends a hopeful message: 鈥渋f you enjoy what you are doing, you鈥檒l eventually fit in the right place鈥�