Of Uruguayan nationality, Silvia was appointed Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Chile on 3 August, 2016.
She has more than 30 years of experience in the United Nations System in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay and at the organisation’s headquarters in New York.
During her long career she has been mainly been dedicated to leading cooperation projects in democratic governance, environment, gender equality, equity and human rights, risk management and disaster response, prevention and conflict resolution.
She has provided advice to governments in the preparation of reforms and design of public policies focused on economic recovery, eradication of poverty and inequality, as well as in the national planning of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.
Previously, she held the positions of UNDP Representative in Mexico, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nicaragua, Director of UNDP in Colombia, and Deputy Resident Representative in Peru and Argentina.
In the context of the armed conflict in Colombia, she accompanied important initiatives within the framework of the peace process within the country, supporting the Peace Commissions of the National Congress of Colombia. Sheadvised on the formulation of public policies, seconding regional consultations with massive participation of civil society, and facilitating formal conversations between the Colombian State and social organisations.
Ms. Rucks is an Information Systems Engineer, holds a Postgraduate in Management Practices from the University of New York and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Management from the José Simeón Cañas Central American University of El Salvador.