Dr Adriana Cursino Thomé
While studying on the Diplomatic Studies Programme, Adriana was selected as a Mentor for the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs’ Space for Women Programme. This opportunity, made possible through the the programme’s global focus and network, marked a pivotal moment in her diplomatic journey and her commitment to empowering women in the space sector.</p?
‘I already had a solid career as a civil servant for the Brazilian government when I enrolled on the Diplomatic Studies Programme (DSP). With an initial professional background in exact sciences, specifically in the space sector, my career shifted to international relations, and I thought the programme would be an excellent opportunity to improve my professional performance and acquire new knowledge. Today, I can say that participating as a student in the 2022/2023 class went far beyond that.
‘In addition to fulfilling my initial expectations of improving my resume and acquiring technical knowledge, the programme provided me with a unique experience. The intense curriculum, the field trips, the countless lectures and events that the programme offers and, above all, the cultural richness and diversity of the cohort allowed me to enhance my worldview and broaden my horizons about the plurality of thoughts, customs, needs, opinions and visions that need to be understood – and above all respected. Furthermore, the programme allowed me to meet wonderful and interesting people. I made true friends who I will take with me for the rest of my life, independently of the geographic distance that holds us apart.
‘In addition to what the programme offers, I cannot fail to mention the excellent opportunities that the University of Oxford provides in terms of academic and cultural activities, lectures, and debates, among other things. For these reasons, I can attest that there is not a single day that goes by that I do not remember with fondness, joy and satisfaction the moments and people who were part of my journey in the programme, which makes every hour of dedication spent to fulfil the intense study schedule worth it.
‘During the programme, I was fortunate to be selected as a Mentor for the Space for Women Programme of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), which crowned my involvement in women empowerment in the space sector. On this subject, I would like to give my testimony regarding the excellent work done by the DSP in addressing gender inequalities in the professional environment and in bringing this issue to the table for discussion and study during classes and extracurricular activities.
‘Nowadays, I am the General Coordinator for Multilateral Cooperation at the International Office Affairs of the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. As part of my work, I coordinate the institutionalisation of multilateral cooperation initiatives so that the Ministry can better contribute to the coordination of Brazil's international activities in science and technology.
‘I highly recommend the DSP programme to anyone interested in enhancing their resume and experience in the international arena. The DSP programme has made me more confident to continue doing my job better and better.’
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