With the presence of authorities from the Chancellery, Armed Forces, the university, faculty, alumni and students, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaiso celebrated 15 years of its International Relations master’s degree. This is the only post-graduate program of its type created outside of the Metropolitan Region and, in during its trajectory, 115 professionals coming from 18 different countries have graduated, and are successfully working in both Chile and abroad.
At the Ceremony, the chancellor and PUCV Honorary Doctor, Alberto van Klaveren, gave a conference titled “Foreign Policy guidelines and challenges”, where he analyzed the progress Chile has made regarding its international placement within a global scenario marked by geopolitical disputes and commercial tensions that have weakened multilateralism, among other aspects.
On the occasion, the minister was also awarded the Centenary Medal as a recognition for his leadership, public service vocation and the close relationship he has cultivated with our university.
Nelson Vásquez, rector of our university, highlighted the creation of the master’s on International Relations, offered by the Center for Studies and Legislative Assistance (CEAL, for its name in Spanish). “Few programs of these characteristics take place outside of Santiago. It has a gathered graduates that have generated knowledge in various subjects, reflected on theses and research throughout these 15 years. For our university, that is headed towards its centenary, it is cause for joy and satisfaction”, he stated.
For its part, the director of the program, Raúl Allard, underscored that graduates work in a wide array of areas in Latin America, United States, Europe, Asia and Africa. Valparaíso has a commercial and international vocation because of the port, the National Congress, Customs, Port Administration and Chile’s Navy. With these port capital we had faith and we have worked very well. We have been able to demonstrate that from a city like Valparaíso it is possible to create a center for research and reflection on International Relations. Our graduates are present in the five continents”, he added.
Matías Valenzuela, director of CEAL, added that the program “is one of the pillars of our institution. During these 15 years we have highlighted International Relations topics and projected, from a new Government School perspective, a regional look with international vocation. We seek to influence the development of public policies and the projection of our country towards the world”.
Conference on Foreign Policy
In his presentation, chancellor Alberto van Klaveren emphasized that “this is the first post-graduate International Relations program developed outside of Santiago. It is not a coincidence that is offered in Valparaíso and in this region, with a marked international vocation, that has trained outstanding graduates for institutions such as the Andrés Bello Diplomatic Academy or the National Congress”.
Likewise, he highlighted the principles that support the chilean foreign policy: adherence to International Law, defense of Human Rights, promotion of democracy, fostering multilateralism, peaceful solution of controversies and the incorporation of new approaches such as gender equality and protection of the environment.
The ambassador of Chile in Canada and PUCV alumni, Juan Carlos García, attended the ceremony and valued the strength of the program. “It was the first program of these characteristics born outside of Santiago and allows to look at the world from a double perspective: understanding Chile from the exterior, and at the same time, from a regional view. This enriches students and future decision makers on foreign policy. We are a country open to the world and Valparaíso is part of this global connection bridge, which is key for the future of the nation”, he reflected.
Ximena Carvajal is a former student of the master’s in international Relations first generation, and works as the head of the Social Sciences at the Mackay School in Viña del Mar. “This program has been very important for my professional life. The PUCV is an institution that values the port city, and this post-graduate program has allowed me to relate the processes experienced by the Chilean Government within the international context and address foreign policy challenges”, she concluded.
For more information about the program, please visit: relacionesinternacionales.cealpucv.cl
By Juan Paulo Roldán
Strategic Communications Department
