Francisco Benito

Interview with the Director of the Maison de l’Argentine

Tell us about your background and your arrival at the Cité internationale.

As far as my background is concerned, I am currently pursuing my PhD in education. I have two master’s degrees, one in education management and the other in physical education and sport, as well as a degree in physical education. I started working in education in 1990, just over 30 years ago. I have worked as a teacher at pre-school, primary, secondary and university levels. When I received the proposal from the Minister of Education, Jaime Perczyk, to become Director of the Maison de l’Argentine in Paris, I was developing teaching activities at the National University of Hurlingham (UNAHUR) and the National University of Luján (UNLu). I have been a professor at the National University of Hurlingham since its foundation in 2016 and at the National University of Luján since 2009.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS THAT MAKES THE CITÉ INTERNATIONALE A UNIQUE CAMPUS IN THE WORLD?

The Cité internationale is not only made up of buildings and constructions. It is also made up of its residents, management staff and cleaning and maintenance staff. The contributions of all of them make the Cité a beautiful place, but above all a place where people can live in harmony and learn. It is not only about learning science or culture, at the Cité internationale we can learn to live in diversity and learn values such as respect, friendship and solidarity, among others.
This makes the time spent here unique and incomparable. I sincerely believe that everything we learn in this place and in each other’s training experiences can be transferred to everyday life in the future and contribute in the long term to the development of our professional activities and to the improvement of the communities in which we live.

HOW DOES LIVING IN YOUR HOUSE ALLOW RESIDENTS TO HAVE A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK ON THE WORLD AND HOW IS IT A SPRING BOARD FOR THEIR FUTURES?

Living in this house and miles away from our families results in a different view of the world. Living in the Cité internationale changes this vision even more because there is a constant exchange between all the members of this great community and it is from this that this perspective and this vision become even greater. Our house is not only characterised by its cultural events or the exceptional personalities who have passed through. During these few days of my stay, I was able to observe the accompaniment that exists between all of us who share daily life, which I believe is a great strength.

IF YOU HAD TO SUM UP THE CITÉ INTERNATIONALE IN ONE WORD, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Integration: with all that the word indicates. Integration in all areas, cultural, academic and everyday life.

Leonardo COSTANTINO, Ambassador of Argentina to France

Leonardo Constantino finished his degree in political science at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina in 1994. He then obtained his postgraduate degree in international relations from the Latin-American faculty of social sciences before entering into the Foreign Service Institute to continue a diplomatic career. After having worked for several years at the Ministry of Economy and Production as a Private Secretary then Chief of Staff to the Minister, he became the Head of the human rights department at the Argentinian embassy in Uruguay. After returning to Argentina for a year as the Chief of Staff to the Undersecretary for Trade Promotion and Investment Development’s office, he became the head of the economic department at the Argentinian embassy in France where today he is the Ambassador.