ISS Alumni
7
Where are they now?
Leonel Roberto Rodríguez Casasbuenas Study programme Social Policy and Master in Social Sciences Year of graduation 1972 and 1973 Country of origin Colombia Current occupation I am retired now. After ISS, I taught at universities in Colombia and Brazil. Later, I worked for 25 years with UNHCR. What made your time at ISS special? Being immersed in a rich cultural and academic interchanging context and enjoying favourable conditions for studying. What is your most memorable moment at ISS? A month-long field research visit to Yugoslavia to assess the ‘self-management’ system of participation of different productive sectors. What does ISS mean to you now? Excellent friends. We hope to celebrate our 50th ISS anniversary. Admiration for this research and debating centre highly committed to today’s global problems. Finally, satisfaction with its deserved international recognition.
Swati Rao
Martin Dacles
Stella Vásquez
Study programme Mundus MA in Public Policy Year of graduation 2017 Country of origin India Current occupation Lead, Communications and Advocacy at the Centre for Civil Society What made your time at ISS special? All the amazing people I met from all over the globe. It was my first time living outside India, so being in such a multicultural environment gave me opportunities for immense personal and professional growth. What is your most memorable moment at ISS? International Day remains my favourite memory to date. Sharing my culture and food with so many people and learning about theirs was quite an experience. What does ISS mean to you now? My window to the world.
Study programme MA in Development Studies, Major in Agrarian, Food and Environment Studies with specialization in Environment and Sustainable Development Year of graduation 2019 Country of origin Philippines Current occupation Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinator for Middle East with the French Red Cross What made your time at ISS special? The fact that you get the opportunity to learn about the world through the different cultures and lived experiences of your colleagues. What is your most memorable moment at ISS? The protests we joined, the parties we celebrated and the workshops we hosted. And who could forget ISS International Day, showcasing diverse cultures through performances and cuisines. Priceless! What does ISS mean to you now? ISS is my home away from home. The institute not only provided me with the technical grips and handles on critical development studies, but also an entire community of practitioners, scholars and activists who believe in social justice.
Study Programme National Development Year of graduation 1972 Country of origin Colombia Current occupation Retired What made your time at ISS special? I found the Dutch to be a very and singular culture. It is a small country but is packed with flowers, windmills, cheeses, Amsterdam canaIs and the greatest art of the world. What is your most memorable moment at ISS? Every moment was great. This tiny nation has a huge influence in the world and every day at ISS surprised me in every sense. The best thing about ISS was meeting friends from all over the world and sharing such a valuable part of my existence with them. What does ISS mean to you now? I gained greater understanding and admiration for other people and their culture. My experience expanded my academic horizons, teaching me new languages and skills, and building my confidence and resilience. The Netherlands is a country with great agricultural development that has much to teach to the word in relation to all the challenges of global warming.
