Beatriz Franco is one of the more than 700 specialists from public administrations that FIIAPP mobilises around the world to work strengthening public systems for people and the planet. She is our #PublicTalent. Today, she tells us about her work and the value that public systems have for her. 

What has been the greatest achievement of your experience as a FIIAPP and EUROsociAL+ programme specialist?

I was fortunate enough to take part in the development of the Document Management and Archives Administration Model for the Transparency and Access to Information Network as coordinator, and it was a very fruitful period. Thanks to this project, I was able to learn about the strategic work in support of the development of quality public policies carried out by the FIIAPP and the EUROsociAL+ programme.   

One of the projects I enjoyed most was the project for document management standardisation and protection of personal data of medical records in El Salvador, especially because we were able to have a visible influence on health management, which is something we value even more today than ever before.  

What are you most proud of?

Of the exchange of knowledge and experience. I’ve met people who do impressive work in public service. I’m very proud to be an official, to be a civil servant. I believe that we must assert our role. The public function is made up of excellently qualified people, great technicians in their specialities, who perform a very useful service to society and are driven by their vocation.   

How has your assignment contributed to improving the lives of people and the planet?

I believe that proper document management strengthens transparency and makes it possible to exercise the right to information as an indispensable instrument to facilitate access to civil and political rights and duties, human rights and the right to historical memory. I think policies of transparency and access to public information have become the basis of any democracy and document management is one of the essential basic supports for the implementation of these policies.  

What is the main value of the public aspect of this for you?

In my work as an archivist, the main value is to make information available to citizens, and thereby contribute to improving their quality of life and their relationship with public administrations. Making the public public. I think that’s essential.   

What have you learnt from this experience?

It has enriched my view of things by allowing me to interact with other colleagues in an environment of shared knowledge and learning. I have to thank FIIAPP and the EUROsociAL+ programme for the opportunity to collaborate in the projects they develop. Thanks to this I’ve grown as a professional and as a person.   

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