Marianna, Chief of International Affairs and Cooperation of the Office of the First Lady of the Republic of El Salvador

Marianna Montes Moreno has graduated from the Master in International Public Management (now International Governance and Diplomacy) with an emphasis on Human Rights in the Americas. Coming from Salvador, she works as the Chief of International Affairs and Cooperation of the Office of the First Lady of the Republic of El Salvador.

What is your role and main responsibilities?

>In my position, I provide leadership and strategic vision coordinating and monitoring cooperation and the international efforts of the Early Childhood, Childhood, and Adolescence National Agenda.

During my time in this role, I have developed an international affairs strategy, have given fresh impetus to international relations with significant actors, including international organizations like UNESCO and USAID, and fostered closer relations with diplomatic missions such as the European Union and the United States missions. Currently, I’m developing and implementing strategies to increase the cooperation efficiency of the different sectors (education and care, health, and nutrition, protection of rights, and protective environments) of the “Crecer Juntos'' National Early Childhood Development Policy and the National Policy for the Integral Protection of Children and Adolescents. I am responsible for articulating international efforts with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture, and the National Council for Early Childhood, Childhood, and Adolescence (CONAPINA) for the benefit of all Salvadoran children, by working closely with the El Salvador Agency for International Cooperation (ESCO). 

Furthermore, I’m in charge of strengthening the First Lady's, Gabriela de Bukele, international commitment and her leadership in the early childhood field, by organizing her participation in world conferences, events, and meetings with representatives of international organizations and ambassadors. The goal is to become an inspiration for other countries in the region and around the world to invest in the early years. 

Most recently, I organized the visit to El Salvador of Stefania Gianni, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, and her meeting with the First Lady, where we demonstrated how we are transforming education, starting from early childhood. 

How did you secure this role?

Prior to this position, I worked as an International Affairs Strategy Advisor at the Office of the First Lady of the Republic of El Salvador before being appointed to my current role.

What is the most fascinating and/or surprising aspect of your role?

Working for Early Childhood, Childhood and Adolescence in El Salvador is a great challenge but at the same time a great satisfaction. With a longstanding commitment to human rights, I’m determined to advance national and international efforts for early childhood to have a more just, equal, and inclusive society.

It is a unique opportunity to contribute to the transformation process of several sectors, such as education and health, to ensure that all Salvadorian children achieve their full developmental potential. It is a great honor to be part of the change El Salvador is going through. 

I enjoy working with the international community and connecting with many people, no matter their positions, from ambassadors to technical teams, all committed to working for the well-being and development of children. 

The most fascinating part of my role is when I talk directly with children and their families and see how grateful they are for all the work we are doing. My favorite part is to interact with the babies and children in different situations, such as in residential care facilities, and to listen firsthand to their needs. This gives me the strength to work harder and makes my work extremely gratifying. 

I believe that deep human connections and listening to the voices of people have to always be the priority to create meaningful policies to have a better society.

How did your PSIA experience help you with the role?

PSIA gave me a strong integral educational background allowing me to make meaningful contributions to the different sectors I work with. With the different courses, I acquired the theoretical tools to excel in my role, such as the course on “Comparative Education Policy '', with Dr. Beatriz Pont, gave me the tools to understand the education system and to learn the main statistical data sources for education policy analysis. 

What makes the difference in PSIA’s education is the skills we learn, such as presentation skills, critical thinking and to have great synthesis. PSIA’s approach of always looking at the “bigger picture” and to pay attention to details, makes us open-minded and well-prepared professionals.

Finally, PSIA helped me to shape the leader I am and allowed me to better navigate and succeed in the international affairs field. Thank you, PSIA family, for all your support!

What advice would you give to others? 

Be passionate! And always be brave! The most important resources that we have as humans are our passion, dedication, and persistence to create a better society. Get close to people and listen to their needs. Stay grounded in all the work you do and use your voice to move others. Find a job where you are happy and respected. The world needs professionals and especially young leaders committed to creating a meaningful social impact in their societies. Never lose hope, and if you need some motivation go talk with a child because they know how to dream big.

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