FACE TO FACE WITH

Artur Mas i Gavarró, former president of the Generalitat of Catalonia

Artur Mas: “Teachers are the fundamental pillar of any educational system”

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David Rabadà

Talking to this economist who has combined his professional career with politics is quite a challenge. Regardless of the political ideology that one may have, the conversation with this 129th President of the Generalitat is not at all to be taken banally, on the contrary, when you finish you realize that you have a mind full of information, contrasted and well-organized. Without any written script in his hands, he is the one who often asks you specific questions about your specialty. His career between the public and private sectors has given him great experience and overall visión that not many current polítical leaders could attest.

Having devoted 30 years of his life to Catalan politics, he started in politics as a councilor of the Barcelona City Council and then as a deputy of the Parliament of Catalonia, to become later on a councilor of the Government of Catalonia, managing several portfolios. Things did not stop there, since he became the leader of the opposition during the two tripartite governments in Catalonia. He finally became president of the Generalitat between December 2010 and January 2016. Currently, and far removed from party dynamics, he is focused on his institutional role as former president of the Generalitat of Catalonia. Studying him closely makes you think about many issues that few want to talk about in the media.

What pushed you to your professional career?

I studied economics and spent the first few years combining the public and private sectors. I was quite good in French and English. Precisely, in the early 80s, the Generalitat was looking for technicians to boost the exports of Catalan SMEs. And so I started in the public sector, with a five-month trial contract. In 1986, I was appointed director general of international trade promotion of the Generalitat of Catalonia, a position of political appointment. And this is where my political career began. I had always felt a commitment to my country, and in these first years in the Generalitat, I confirmed this vocation for public service.

Which people most influenced in your perception of the social reality in which we live best? Why?

Throughout my career, I have been lucky enough to listen to and meet many different people. But surely, my time in the City Council as an opposition councilor, allowed me to live with powerful names, such as Pasqual Maragall, Josep M. Cullell, Maria Aurèlia Campany, Josep Maria Ainaud, Oriol Bohigas, and many others, from whom I learned.

Could you tell me some details of your latest personal or professional project?

One of the last personal projects in capital letters was crossing the Atlantic by sailing. It was a 17-day trip in which we traveled about 6,000 kilometers. Although it has been 4 years since the experience, I like to remember this particular project, because it was one of my dreams, and I was finally able to make it come true. It was a pure adventure.

And professionally?

As for my professional project, I continue to work with my video podcast ‘A favor de la política’, reflecting and contributing my with my criteria on different topics of interest to society as a whole.

What positive relationships would you establish between your professional and personal growth with the educational training received at school? Where? How? Why?

I studied at the French Lycée and the European School, which even then opted for an educational model focused on comprehensive training, seeking to promote both academic and personal growth. Some of the values ​​that I take away from my educational training would be respect and responsibility, the critical spirit, the culture of effort and a job well done. These values ​​have been part, to this day, of my professional and personal life.

“It is necessary to emphasize some values, especially the culture of effort and work, and the spirit of improvement, because they are necessary values ​​for any person in all areas of life”

Regarding the current educational system, and if you had been trained there, would this have improved or worsened your professional projection?

This question is complicated to answer, because it would be based on an assumption and, moreover, society has changed. It is clear that the current educational system has strengths, and certainly many strengths that have evolved positively over the years, but there are also many areas to be improved. And that doesn’t mean that years ago everything was perfect, there were certainly many points to improve. In the end, I think that the education system is evolving and I would like to think that it is for the better, although sometimes I have doubts. What I do believe is that some values are to be emphasized, especially the culture of effort and work, and the spirit of improvement, because these are necessary values ​​for anyone in all areas of life.

But would the current education system have made it better or worse?

I don’t think it would have made me better or worse, I think it would have influenced me in a different way. The context is different.

Looking at your professional path, how do you think the current education system should be improved?

Teachers are the fundamental pillar of any education system. If we want a good level of education, we need to have good teachers, well trained, motivated, recognized and respected. Everything else is secondary.

“My wish is that Catalonia becomes a great country in which freedom, prosperity and well-being are intrinsic concepts (…) Ideally, a State of the United States of Europe”

Ideologies are usually a part of ourseslves, however, and considering it from a utopian perspective, what would be your wish for the personal or national environment where you live?

My wish is that Catalonia becomes a great country in which freedom, prosperity and well-being are intrinsic concepts. A country that, as I have said many times, resembles the best countries in the world: a robust welfare state, open economies, solid internal consensus, opportunities for the people, high-quality democracies and a good balance between rights and duties. An independent country within the federal European Union. Ideally, a State of the United States of Europe.

And finally, what do you expect from your personal life?

I hope for good health for myself and for the people I love; and to be able to dedicate more time to leisure, family or travel than I was able to when I was on the front lines of politics. I also hope to enjoy this new stage of being a grandparent with my wife, Helena, and to be able to spend quality time with our grandchildren.

I expect what is fundamental: health, a family that grows with respect and solidarity, time to be able to help others and freedom to be able to enjoy my time. All of this is already a lot.

Source: educational EVIDENCE

Rights: Creative Commons