Mariana Diaz Kraus, MALD 2013, Colombia
Current Role: Partner and Director of Alliances and Strategy, Movilizatorio in Bogota, Colombia
Fletcher Capstone: Plan Colombia: An “Invited” Intervention without End?
Fields of Study:
- Human Security
- International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Activities at Fletcher:
- Latin American Club
- Diplomacy Club
- Human Rights Project
Education before Fletcher:
- M.A. Political Science, International Negotiation, Transitional Justice, Universidad de los Andes
- JD equivalent Law, Law, Universidad de los Andes
- B.A. Political Science, Comparative Politics, Colombian Politics, Universidad de los Andes
Experience before Fletcher:
- Fundacion iDeas para la Paz, Researcher and Legal Advisor – Bogota, Colombia
- Jose Gregorio Hernandez Galindo Consulting Lawyers, Lawyer and Publication Management Assistance, Bogota, Colombia
- Laboratorios Probyala S.A., Director of Corporate Social Responsibility – Bogota, Colombia
Languages:
- Spanish
- German
- French
- English
Why I chose Fletcher: Choosing Fletcher was a simple decision and did not require much thought because I knew this was my dream school. It particularly attracted me because of its intellectual atmosphere, history, the intellectual muscle of its professors, and its interdisciplinary and flexible curriculum. My interdisciplinary training in political science and law prior to Fletcher deeply informed my work as a policy researcher and analyst. Therefore, my main priority was to find a program that would allow me to broaden my horizons rather than one that would restrict me to a single subject of concentration. Fletcher gave me the tools and skills to expand and deepen my interdisciplinary training through the MALD program.
How I learned about Fletcher: I first learned about Fletcher after the First International Congress on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) that was held in Cartagena, Colombia in May 2009. During this Congress I had the opportunity get to know many members of the international community that worked in my same fields of interests. Through many conversations, the subject of graduate programs came up and many opinions where shared. During these conversations, one school always stood – The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. When I got home, I began to research Fletcher and stayed up all night reading everything I could about it. I was immediately hooked.