Maria Cantó Martínez

Maria’s interest in international development started when she was chosen to represent her school at the International Model United Nations in Lisbon in 2016. This experience not only exposed her to the realities of political debate but also introduced her to the challenges of solving humanitarian problems. She was inspired to continue her studies in the areas of management and sustainability, with an emphasis on infrastructure. 

Her enthusiasm for infrastructure and communication led her to study for a bachelor’s degree in interior architecture and design at Berlin International University of Applied Sciences. Here, she says, she gained project development know-how, problem-solving skills and the tools to “think outside the box.” She went on to deepen her knowledge through a certificate program in sustainable business practices and global economics at Harvard University Online.  

It was now clear to Maria that she wanted to pursue a career in sustainability, which she believes can increase a company’s competitiveness as well as contribute to a more sustainable planet. In 2020, she created her own sustainable awareness platform, Way to Zero Waste, which aims to create conversations around climate change and social affairs by raising awareness of issues such as sustainable design and waste management. Her website, social networks and podcast have a total audience reach of over 3,500 people.  

During her time working in design and construction, Maria became aware of the lack of new strategies to tackle environmental, social and economic problems. She now feels it’s imperative to “add more value” by improving current strategies, especially those aimed at protecting vulnerable communities affected by climate change. After a spell as marketing manager for a startup providing zero waste solutions for the food market, she decided to embark on the Master in International Development at IE University.  

Maria cites the opportunities provided by IE University as one of her main reasons for choosing it as her place of study and says it has lived up to her expectations. Although she misses the sea in Barcelona, she enjoys exploring all the activities that Madrid has to offer. She particularly enjoys walking around the city and spending Sundays reading a good book in the sun, with a picnic lunch. 

For Maria, the Master in International Development is a perfect opportunity to dive deeper into the world of development and sustainability at all levels, whether from a social, economic or environmental viewpoint. As the program is designed in conjunction with the UN Systems Staff College, it has opened up valuable career opportunities for her.  

Maria cites her participation in a discussion with Dr. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, as a particularly enriching experience. This, she says, allowed her to debate the role of the UN in the 2030 Agenda, the relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the importance of global governance.  She feels it is important for students of international development to understand how the SDGs relate to each other, and to consider how to address pressing global challenges as future decision-makers. 

Of the classes within the program, Maria has a particular interest in those related to human rights and the empowerment of the most vulnerable: she finds it interesting to see how political, economic and legislative organizations can contribute to improving the conditions of these communities. However, she emphasizes that her experience at IE University is not just about the content of the program, but also about the community and the value it provides.