IN AND OF THE WORLD

Creating a Community of Global Citizens to Change the World

Center for Global AffairsMaster of Science in Global Affairs

“I want my education to be in and of the world”

About In and of the World

In and of the World: CGA Reports from the Field was first published on November 17th, 2009 on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the NYU School Continuing and Professional Studies and the 5th Anniversary of the graduate program at the Center for Global Affairs.

Over the past two years, our students and alumni have continued to have an impact on the world’s most pressing issues in a scope best described as both “in and of the world”. The following candid first-person narratives were contributed by students and alumni of the Center’s Master of Science in Global Affairs program, and highlight their research interests, fieldwork, and student group initiatives.

About the CGA

The Center for Global Affairs (CGA), within the NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies (NYU-SCPS) creates global citizens capable of identifying and implementing solutions to pressing global challenges. We believe that the development of solutions to global problems must be informed by an understanding that the world’s challenges are not merely challenges—for and among—states, but also challenges for—and among—nonstate actors, urban and rural communities, regional organizations, and traditional diplomatic outlets.

Through rigorous graduate and continuing education programs, leading-edge and practically oriented research, and public events, we prepare global citizens who are at home in all of these environments and thus effective agents of change. For more information on our degree program and public events at the Center for Global Affairs, we invite you to visit us online at www.scps.nyu.edu/cga.

M.S. in GLOBAL AFFAIRS

The Master of Science in Global Affairs (MSGA) is the flagship graduate program of the NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies (NYU-SCPS) Center for Global Affairs, ranked by the Foreign Policy Association in 2010 and 2011 as one of the nation’s leading institutions preparing students for international careers. The MSGA program provides an indispensable and interdisciplinary context for understanding critical issues in international politics, economics, peacebuilding, transnational security, international law, human rights, energy, the environment, and related areas. It gives students in-depth knowledge and uniquely practical perspectives for becoming successful, well-rounded professionals in the global arena. Faculty members are both scholars and experienced practitioners, including former officers of the UN, international attorneys, leaders of organizations engaged in refugee relief and the protection of human rights, diplomats, activists, economists, and global energy experts. Areas of concentration currently include: Environment/Energy Policy, International Development and Humanitarian Assistance, Human Rights and International Law, International Relations, Private Sector, Peacebuilding, and Transnational Security.

Environment/Energy Policy 3Mark Rego-Monteiro ‘10

International Development and Humanitarian Assistance 4Kimberly Hatton ‘12 Beth Oppenheim ‘13Lexi Fisher ‘10

Human Rights and International Law 7Anja Vojvodic ‘11Halina Hofmann ‘11Elizabeth Stein ‘11

International Relations 11Meital Tzobotaro ‘11Rorry Daniels ‘11Mariama Keita ‘11Chris Janiec ‘08

Private Sector 14Chloe Demrovsky ‘12Caira Conner ‘12Xenia Roman Korobochkina ‘11

Peacebuilding 17Rita S. Naman ‘11Joy Galvez ‘12

Transnational Security 19Mara Tshibaka ‘12 and Elizabeth Cantrell ‘12 Nicholas Chimienti ‘13

Agroecology and Sustainable Development in Brazil

Mark Rego-Monteiro ‘10After my Sustainable Development class introduced me to “food regime analysis,” in August 2010, I traveled with my wife and child to the Centro Ecologico (CE) in northeastern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil to gain first-hand experience of the techniques discussed in class.

Corporate-controlled markets strongly influence ecological labor issues, such as Brazil’s rural landless workers´ (MST) occupations and the epidemic of farmer suicides in India. Synthetic chemical technologies and corporate agriculture had already demonstrated serious negative social and environmental effects by the mid-1980s, and led to the founding of an experimental agroecology project, the precursor to the CE. As such, the Centro Ecologico, with 23 other NGOs, helped create the Ecovida network of farmers, which now extends to two other regional states and includes more than 200 small farmer groups. The CE also participates in other networks, such as the Latin American Agroecology Movement (MAELA) and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).

For three months, we stayed with a farm family, and I worked for some time assisting my host farmer to cultivate his grape vines according to agroecological methods. Agroecology prescribes the maintenance of at least 20% original ecosystems, which minimizes such problems as biodiversity loss and erosion. One of our biggest challenges was to protect his crop with a tarp structure during a series of rain storms while guarding the vegetation from insects.

During my stay, I had the chance to visit one of the meetings of the local Ecovida group, observe the benefits of network participation, and appreciate the pragmatic demands they face. One of their concerns is the availability of bioecological anti-pest products.

Every week or so I would go to the NGO’s office to discuss additional details about the organization’s work. The CE’s director also invited me to several meetings of a federation of grape and wine cooperatives, FECOVINHO, with which they collaborated as a technical squad. At these conferences, I was exposed to a wider selection of farmers who share related concerns. The federation’s cooperative members represent a socially responsible business model and the leaders already give a high priority to the recognition of ecological concerns. A steadily increasing number of federation farmer members were appreciating agroecology’s importance and preparing to switch methods. My trip concluded with a personal invite from FECOVINHO to assist with a proposal to promote grassroots cooperatives through the “solidarity economy.”

The Power of Language

Kimberly Hatton ‘12In January, as part of my graduate studies, I began working towards an internship with Search For Common Ground (or Search) in Sri Lanka. I wanted to gain experience in a post-conflict setting, explore how language and communication might play a role in shaping the post-civil war society of Sri Lanka, and better understand how this might apply to Search’s flagship Sri Lankan project, Promoting Civic Participation in the Hill Country.

In July 2011, I arrived and was spirited off to a town called Hatton, located in the Hill Country. My task was to assist Search staff with facilitating discussions amongst grassroots partner organizations Sewelanka and The Power Foundation. One of my immediate observations was that only a few participants spoke both national languages (Sinhalese and Tamil) and English. Many only spoke one of the national languages. During the workshop, participants were asked to identify what they felt to be the most significant issues facing the Indian origin Tamil-speaking plantation communities. Language immediately arose, particularly as one of the most prevalent barriers to effective partnerships between organizations.

My second take on language in the context of Sri Lankan society was seen through the eyes of the Tuk Tuk drivers (three-wheeler cabbies). Specifically, I noticed the difference that understanding a secondary language like English meant for their income. The Sinhalese- and English-speaking Tuk Tuk drivers benefited from attracting more fares than Tuk Tuk drivers who spoke only Tamil.

Sri Lankans who speak only Tamil are at a clear disadvantage, and for them, language frequently acts as a barrier to greater engagement and participation. Search in Sri Lanka is working to change this through projects focused on cultivating youth leaders. In the project, Promoting Civic Participation in the Hill Country, young people will participate in leadership workshops to develop their existing community engagement skills. Once workshops are completed, the participants will be given seed grants and guidance from the project partners to create their own awareness and community engagement projects. The project also exposes young people to the mechanisms of governance and allows them to interact with authorities as active participants in community decision-making meetings with government officials and other local leaders. The participants will further be expected to help develop and produce a series of 32-episode radio dramas and subsequent call-in talk shows. The dramas and talk shows will focus on key messages about civic, legal, and economic rights and remedies.

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Miniature oil rig display at the main offices of PetroVietnam in Hanoi. Photo by Marcie Cook

These projects and others on the horizon engage young people in a significant way, through connecting the more isolated Tamil plantation communities with wider Sri Lankan society. By making their voices heard, young people can help to undermine the pervasive barriers of language and culture and work toward a more inclusive Sri Lanka.

Capacity Building – More than a Buzzword

Beth Oppenheim ‘13In the international development community, ‘capacity building’ is an overused term. Capacity building usually refers to an effort to build competencies and skills, but for many donors it is a vague buzzword whose impact is often difficult to measure. Nowadays, NGOs are under constant pressure to measure the impact of what they have done, and capacity building usually gets rejected for funding by major donors worldwide. This past year, I spent many months living in Maputo, the capital of the southern African country of Mozambique. My husband, a native Mozambican, wanted to spend some time getting to know his country—and I came along for the ride.

While I was there, I discovered the true definition of capacity building. Wherever I went, people asked me what I did. When I announced that I was an NGO fundraiser, I made many fast friends in the NGO community. Everyone needed capacity building money, but where was it all? They asked me this question over coffee, while at meals, and even in the middle of the street as they were walking by. Mozambican NGOs were desperate for people to notice what was missing all over the developing world: recognition that many local organizations are doing work for their own people. I met women’s organizations working countrywide with shoestring budgets. I met environmental justice organizations

Children at a tea plantation in Sri Lanka greeting SFCG staff. Photo by Hugh Balgarnie

staging strikes to protest a dam built by the International Monetary Fund. I met young people doing academic research on prison conditions. Everyone talked about Africa’s new capacity—and it was all missing from the donor spotlight.

As a fundraiser in the U.S. for an international NGO, I am now confronted daily with rejection by large funders when I use the words capacity building. However, once I take the time to explain what that capacity is doing for people, and what type of special understanding communities have about their own people, I see the light of recognition in many listeners’ eyes. Through my time in Mozambique, I spoke with the capacity builders, and I learned to see beyond the buzzword. Without this type of recognition by donors, however, these builders will continue to do what they do but will miss out on the chance to bring their work to serve more people. These builders are not just building capacity— they are building a better world for themselves and their communities.

Turning Theory into Practice

Lexi Fisher ‘10It was during my stint as a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras that I recognized my passion for serving others and began searching for graduate programs in the area of human rights. As a recent CGA graduate, I can say without hesitation that the program equipped me with the knowledge and experience to move forward successfully in my career path. The CGA gave me the confidence and skills to travel to Southeast Asia upon graduation and work with trafficking survivors and refugee populations. I also credit the CGA with propelling me to where I am now—working at Dress for Success, a nonprofit organization that helps disadvantaged women enter and reenter the workforce.

Disparity between genders in terms of employment remains staggering around the world. On average, women earn less, hold more vulnerable forms of employment, and have lower-level positions than their male counterparts. Yet we know that the quality of life dramatically improves for families when women are empowered economically. These are the types of issues that our organization grapples with on a daily basis. While Dress for Success began by providing interview-appropriate attire to women wishing to enter the workforce, we now focus primarily on employment retention services. Our goal is to provide the training and resources necessary for women to procure gainful employment.

I provide support to our 115 affiliate locations around the world, and my background in global affairs makes me successful at what I do. The issues that I became passionate about during my time at the CGA—such as gender equality, poverty reduction and sustainable development—come into play on a daily basis. It’s tremendously rewarding to turn the theory I learned at the CGA about implementing global initiatives on a local level into practice.

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Putin is Back!

Halina Hofmann ‘11I was in Moscow doing my thesis research on property rights when Medvedev announced he would be stepping aside for Putin’s return. The announcement dismayed liberals and those who were hoping for reforms such as increased privatization that would boost productivity and competition, judicial reform that would increase accountability and transparency, and reforms focused on securing property rights that would improve the investment climate. Putin’s future policies are a matter of guess work but as long as oil prices remain high, reforms will not be a priority in the Kremlin’s managed “democracy”.

Russia is considered a healthy economy with low sovereign debt; however, the streets of Moscow tell a different story. The glaring inequality and social decline is an instructive lesson for the U.S. which, some say, is moving in the same direction. Millions are stuck in degrading poverty fighting for bare necessities while a privileged few indulge in luxuries. The number of Russians living below the poverty line has grown by two million in the past year. Predation by the government and its enforcement agencies hit hard on small- and medium-sized businesses thus crippling employment opportunities. Insecure property rights adversely affect the Russian economy, wiping out competition and discouraging long-term investments.

It remains to be seen whether Putin will breathe life back into a stagnating economy. The days of Medvedev the Modernizer are over. An informed middle class is not expecting any changes.

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A Push for Gender Equality in the Balkans

Anja Vojvodic ‘11In October 2010, I filed an application for the U.S. Department of State’s J. William Fulbright Student Award, hoping that my application would at least make it to the second round. One year later I can say with great satisfaction that I am in Belgrade, Serbia conducting research on a women’s studies topic as a Fulbright Award recipient. I learned a great deal during my time as a student of Human Rights and Humanitarian Assistance at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs. I wanted to apply this knowledge to actual human rights-related research within a region that has always been of interest to me: the Balkans.

Within the Balkan region, I am serving as a witness to Serbia’s progress in the realm of gender equality. In 2009, Serbia passed a politically progressive law, which stipulates that the country must substantially increase the percentage of women in its Parliament and within government ministry positions by 2012.

This system, which some call quotas, is not uncommon for countries around the world looking to galvanize women’s involvement in politics. A similar system was used in Sweden and Rwanda, which have proved to be two of the most successful and vocal nations advocating for women’s engagement in politics. It is my belief that women can make a great impact in the world if given the chance to assert themselves in places where their voices have not been traditionally heard.

In terms of my research, I have isolated three main questions I am looking to answer throughout the election process as Serbia goes to the ballot box in May 2012: How will Serbia reach this goal of increasing percentages of women politicians and ministers (through advocacy, grassroots organizing, Parliamentary committees etc.)? What barriers stand in the way of this goal (including public misconceptions and inertia at the elite level)? And lastly, do women ultimately fight for other women while in office and can they, or do they, improve societies as leaders?

I am pursuing this research at the University of Belgrade’s Political Science Department. The Dean of this Department, Professor Ilija Vujacic, is serving as a guide and mentor to me, as is Professor Gordana Duhacek, head of the Department’s Center for Women’s Studies. At the American Embassy in Serbia, Ambassador Warlick and her staff are both helpful and knowledgeable.

I was born in a city called Kotor in what was then Yugoslavia in 1983. My family and I moved to New York City in 1987 when I was three years old. Coming back to the region of my birth has been both intellectually enriching and emotionally satisfying. Even though I am at the beginning stages of my research I hope to use the Fulbright Award as a stepping stone for further opportunities to do work in my field, engage great people, and explore new places!

Alexis Fisher ‘10, former Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal 2010

Human Rights and International Law 8

My conversations and interviews with leading economists, lawyers, representatives of NGOs, and business owners revealed pessimism and passivity.

In contrast to the gloomy image of Russia’s corrupt legal system, arbitrazh (arbitration) courts are functional and effective. The role of independent courts in political life is often underplayed. In the courts, economic actors can challenge government action which can potentially lead to the liberalization of the political system. Sweeping political change may not come to Russia in the next decade, but if courts are allowed to mature and operate efficiently, serving to uphold people’s rights, the judicial system will be ready to accommodate an emerging democracy.

Gratitude to Professor Mark Galeotti—without his encouragement and influence this trip would not have been possible.

Revolutionary Graffiti Art in Post-Mubarak Egypt and the Future of Sectarian Relations

Elizabeth Stein ‘11In February, 2011, during my last semester at CGA, after weeks spent streaming Al-Jazeera and consistently updating my Twitter timeline to follow the Egypt protest, I made an impromptu solo trip to post-Mubarak Egypt to gather research for my thesis. I spent the week in and around Tahrir Square, meeting with activists, speaking with revolutionaries, and simply observing the new Egypt. In light of the recent occurrence of sectarian violence in Egypt, I thought it would be most poignant to devote a section of my thesis to Cairo’s revolution-inspired graffiti art, in which I discuss the graffiti’s emphasis on a unified Egypt. Walking around Cairo I asked myself whether this graffiti is indicative of a future with positive sectarian relations in Egypt.

The unity of Egyptian society is a heavily emphasized aspect of the revolutionary art. The pairing of the Christian cross and the Islamic half-moon has become a universal symbol for this notion of a united and cooperative Egyptian society moving forward together. Alongside these pictures are phrases such as “Together for a better Egypt”, ديأ ةدحو We are all one hand”, “Egypt Unity”, and “Egypt 2gether“ ,(kulina eed wahida) انلك4Ever”. When I spoke with people about the revolution, the discussion of Muslims and Christians being together in Tahrir Square and protecting each other during their respective prayers came up as something very beautiful and special about the revolution. The question is whether these relations will continue. Among the more educated upper class there is a general understanding that while the society certainly came together for those 18 days, there is much division and ignorance that was fostered during the reign of Mubarak which needs to be undone.

Will this art and these words of unity found throughout Egypt serve as reminders of the commonalities between Egyptians? Will they aid in building a harmonious, diverse society? Words can be very powerful tools. Indeed, graffiti and slogans are powerful but contestable symbols, used to divide or unite. It is very important to note that I

didn’t find any imagery or words referring to a specific political or social group, or prominence of a certain religion or sect over another. Nor did I find any anti-Semitic or anti-American sentiment. The focus was solely on Egypt and on unity. This cannot be emphasized enough. These prominent words and symbols of unity found throughout Cairo are powerful reminders of the unified peace that the revolution catalyzed, invoking the incredible images from Tahrir Square of thousands of Muslims kneeling in prayer while human chains formed by Copts, secularists, and atheists protected them from any attacks.

With more violence in Cairo and the ruling Egyptian Supreme Council of the Armed Forces exacerbating this issue, the future of sectarian relations in Egypt remains a serious question as the difficult work to unify Egypt continues.

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MSGA Students visit the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands 2011

Human Rights and International Law 10

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Observing the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in Tanzania

Meital Tzobotaro ‘11As I finished my coursework requirements at CGA, it was time to select a topic for my thesis that would allow me to put all my new knowledge into practice. Having lived and worked in Tanzania for nearly four years, this was the ideal place for me to use as a case study while looking into efficiencies within the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). I spent the Fall 2011 semester in Tanzania researching and collecting data through interviews with government officials.

As one of the poorest nations in the world, Tanzania still faces many challenges. The effects of HIV/AIDS are seen in every aspect of life, with a national prevalence rate of 5.6% of the population. Prior to 2004, HIV positive individuals had no hope. In fact, oftentimes their medical status was speculative rather than confirmed by an HIV test since no treatment or care was available. Counseling services were non-existent and HIV-positive patients were sent home to die.

With the beginning of the millennium, new hope was found as international donor countries, mainly in the West, pledged to assist developing countries with issues such as poverty alleviation; economic development; and combating public health challenges such as child mortality, maternal health, and diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and HIV/AIDS.

In 2003, President George W. Bush launched PEPFAR, a 5-year plan to assist most in-need countries with the rapidly spreading epidemic of HIV infections. As the largest commitment made by any single country to combat a single disease, PEPFAR helped save thousands of lives while focusing on 15 of the most affected countries, Tanzania being one. In its second 5-year phase, PEPFAR expanded its operations and shifted its focus from an emergency response to in-country ownership and health system strengthening.

PEPFAR’s impact is now evident in the many lives saved. Unfortunately, some of these advances are now at risk. In October 2011, both the Senate and Congress proposed slashing the State Department’s foreign aid budget, a move that will affect PEPFAR’s ability to sustain its programs. My research is focusing on efficiencies and inefficiencies within PEPFAR as a means to formulate recommendations on how the PEPFAR budget, even if reduced, can be utilized in ways that continue to save lives.

The WikiStrat Grand Strategy Competition

Rorry Daniels ‘11In June 2011, a team of CGA students had the opportunity to participate in the WikiStrat grand strategy competition. The NYU team was selected to contribute a grand strategy for Russia through weekly assignments that took us from Russia’s interests in global trends, through trajectories for Russia’s development and grand strategy, and into strategy revisions based on aftershocks. The format allowed us to continuously develop and edit each other’s work, to check in on the work of other teams, and to create new forums for discussion among players of other countries (such as an Arctic Council forum that brought the teams playing the U.S., the EU, and Russia together to discuss common interests and concerns).

The WikiStrat model utilizes advances in information technology to create online space for swift analytic collaboration, and allows each contributor to build on the best ideas of their peers. More than once, our team found inspiration or direction from reading the pages of other teams, even when their country or subject was not directly related to our own. Within our group, the assignments pushed us to imagine new contexts for information gleaned through our class work. For example, discussions of political legitimacy and identity in Central Asia and economic opportunities and constraints in China were combined to make an argument against investment in countries with autocratic regimes. Research on the energy sector led to an extensive piece detailing the potential for an ‘after-oil’ scenario in which countries must collaborate on alternative energy sources and technologies or face economic collapse.

We are proud to announce that our work was featured by the expert judges in the “best of competition” category several times, winning out over contributions by larger schools. As historic changes sweep over the world at a rapid pace, the WikiStrat model prioritizes creative, innovative analysis over highly technical or esoteric entrenchment in viewpoints that have proven inaccurate or unsustainable. The emphasis at the CGA on bringing skills from different backgrounds into the study of international relations truly sets us apart from some other teams, while the open source model of the competition set a high bar for us to match—and exceed—the quality of analysis from other schools.

Several of our team members have signed on to freelance analyst positions with Wikistrat. While some aspects of the competition were stressful—5,000 words per week quickly grew to 10,000+ as we worked toward a robust analysis—we learned a lot in a very short amount of time, and we developed relationships with a growing company—one that we hope continues to seek CGA students and alumni for future simulations and paid positions.

Team Members: Rorry Daniels, Shubha Jaishankar, Regina Joseph, Jumana Kawar, Katherine Kokkinos, Ivana Kvesic, Gordon Little, and Daniel Mulet Lind.

Ghana 2011.

Photo by Heidi Schmidt

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White House Internship

Mariama Keita ‘11 As a global citizen in and of the world, I am graduating from the MSGA program with an abundance of field experiences that include analyzing democracy and press freedom in the Czech Republic, studying women and microfinance in India, and completing my thesis research, “The Role of Guinean Women In An Emerging Democracy: Past, Present & Future.” My academic, volunteer, and internship activities throughout this program have reinforced my commitment to public service and served as a launching pad to other leadership opportunities.

During the summer of 2011, I was selected to participate in the White House Internship program working in the Office of Public Engagement. I was assigned to President Obama’s Latino Outreach and Immigration portfolio and worked on follow-up

initiatives regarding the First Lady’s Young African Women Leaders Forum in South Africa, which had an estimated audience of 2,000 youth and women leaders. While the days were long and the work was challenging, the many highlights of this program included a public speaker series, photo opportunities with the President and First Lady, professional workshops, community service, and assisting with White House events. Ultimately, community outreach and advocacy always remained at the core of my daily responsibilities.

As a White House intern, I turned weaknesses into strengths and left a lasting impression by organizing a first-of-its-kind African Immigrant Community Leaders briefing connecting senior administration officials with advocates from Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Mauritania, Nigeria, and Guinea Bissau. The round table discussion provided a platform to discuss issues specific to the African immigrant and refugee population. My leadership efforts, recognized by an attendee, led to receiving a city council resolution award from the Mayor’s Office of Newark, New Jersey honoring my dedication to empowering African communities.

It is to this end that I continue to utilize my background as a journalist in African Affairs and my experiences abroad to apply “local context” in policy making settings, to engage national and international communities, and to remain dedicated to being a global agent of change.

Viewing Sino-American Relations Through a ‘Futures’ Lens

Chris Janiec ‘08My first class at CGA was on September 11th, 2006. The implicit theme of many classes and discussions over the next two years was how the United States would have to adjust to the repercussions of the terrorist attack which had taken place just down the street in 2001.

By September 11th of 2011 I found myself in Beijing answering questions about 9/11’s effects on the dynamics of the U.S./China bilateral relationship.

As a professor of International Relations and U.S. Foreign Policy at China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU), I have been able to continue to engage many of the topics that animated my time at CGA, albeit from a very different perspective. CFAU is a college devoted to training students on track to work with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and those students are very sharp and full of surprises. Their ideas about China and its role in the world have been shaped by a recent history filled with changes it would have been hard to imagine even at the time of my graduation from CGA in 2008. Long-time faculty members tell me that current students, compared with students from just five years ago, are virtually unrecognizable in their attitudes.

My interest in China sprang directly from my interest in analyzing countries’ futures. My time at CGA helped me develop a skillset for thinking systematically about the future of a country such as China, and that has served me well in my new role. At CGA I relished being surrounded by supportive faculty members who brought a depth of experience to the classroom. I made important contacts among my classmates which have already proven invaluable both personally and professionally. I hope to continue to use these experiences as my guide here in China and wherever else the road that CGA put me on may take me.

Reporting from New York, NY

Chloe Demrovsky ‘12While a current student at MSGA focusing on the private sector, I also serve as the Director of Global Operations at Disaster Recovery Institute (DRI) International, which is the leading certification organization for business continuity professionals worldwide. We train professionals in both the public and private sectors to prepare for the unexpected, from power outages and natural disasters to political disruption, and plan accordingly to repair the damage caused.

I am responsible for overseeing DRI International’s Global Network that conducts courses in over 50 countries on six continents. One of my priorities at DRI International is overseeing global education growth, which in 2009 resulted in DRI teaching more people outside the U.S. My projects have spanned the globe over the past year. Reacting to a need in our Malaysian and Singaporean markets, I created an international version of DRI’s audit course that encompasses both U.S. and international standards. I spearheaded interview projects with continuity professionals in Egypt following the events of the Arab Spring and professionals in Japan following the disastrous events at Fukushima. As part of my role at DRI, I presented at international conferences on three continents in the last year.

Doing my job requires a comprehensive global perspective. I have to maintain relationships on six continents and educate myself about the unique needs of each market. On a larger level, the industry requires an understanding of how disruptive events can impact business. The ability to predict international trends is imperative to creating effective business policies in an increasingly global market. My studies at MSGA have proved invaluable to accomplishing my professional goals. My current semester courseload of Fundamentals of Corporate Finance and Economics for Global Affairs is providing me with the skill set to execute my departmental strategy more effectively. Beyond that, I am learning to analyze the impact of the policies I create and to introduce socially responsible strategy as much as possible.

Sport and Development in Rio

Caira Conner ‘12I spent two months this summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil researching local sports initiatives established in the name of social development, and the implications (if any) for these programs with the coming of the World Cup and Olympic Games.

The project was born out of Professor Thomas Hill’s Applied Peacebuilding Workshop. Originally my intention was to examine how Mega Events can catalyze change that is beneficial to their host communities. Once I got to Rio however, most of the feedback on the preparations taking place for the World Cup and Olympic Games was so overwhelmingly negative that even considering terms like “catalyst” seemed laughable. World Cup-related projects and developments have increased by $27 billion reais in eight months, none of which will help the city residents who lost their homes during government “redevelopment” to make way for the new stadiums and highways.

My research shifted to an examination of the sports and development movement generally, focused on local sports initiatives specifically. I examined to what extent the stated goals of these sports development programs are being accomplished, what types of analytical frameworks are appropriate for these observations, and what is being output by these organizations, particularly when the outcomes are not met in relation to their stated objectives.

CGA’s SIBD Pedals Against Poverty

Xenia Roman Korobochkina ‘11On an early Saturday morning in October, a distinctly varied group of people gathered together near the Center for Global Affairs in order to accomplish an unusual task: to pedal against poverty.

The group consisted of Society of International Business and Development (SIBD) members and NYU Center for Global Affairs (CGA) staff, led by me, Xenia Roman Korobichkina, SIBD Vice President. We biked a route through the rough terrain of the world’s most international city: New York City as part of ACCION International’s MicroBike 2011.

We created a 15-mile course that took us over the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges and through some 10 different neighborhoods in between. We rode for about three hours--including a few miles in the rain--and managed to raise more than $700 to benefit ACCION International’s microfinancing activities. ACCION International empowers the impoverished to climb out of poverty by providing access to financial services. Services include microloans, savings and insurance, and the training to use them correctly. We are proud to know that the money we raised will contribute to others reaching their potential and having the opportunity to live a better life.

This is the very kind of sustainable solution to a global problem that SIBD strives to support. SIBD is a student-led organization at CGA that works to build and support relationships among students, alumni, and private sector practitioners by providing a forum that promotes advocacy and action in developing sustainable solutions to global problems. And so, aside from hosting seminars, skills workshops, and networking events, we decided to try a new route. Microbike was a fun and engaging way to make a difference.

Stay updated on the latest news from the Society of International Business and Development online at www.SIBD.wordpress.com.

A very special thank you to Blazing Saddles, a local bike rental shop, for supplying donated and discounted rental bikes.

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Microbike 2011, SIBD Student Group

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To Iraq and Back

Rita S. Naman ‘11Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to become directly involved in the work of many individuals devoted to promoting peacebuilding and conflict transformation in Iraq, both in the field and here in the U.S. This journey initially began when I joined Professors Thomas Hill and Sylvia Maier as a graduate assistant for the Iraqi Scholars project, a British Council-funded partnership between NYU’s CGA, the University of Duhok, and several other Iraqi universities to develop and enhance peace-building curricula in the higher education system. The Iraqi Scholars partnership brought nine visiting scholars from Iraq to New York for collaborative sessions at the CGA — the group’s final visit to the Center took place this October 2011. For me, the highlights of this project included the many meetings and events with various UN departments, U.S. government agencies, and NGOS that I helped coordinate and participate in. Not only did I have the chance to use my Arabic language skills in translation, I was also a valuable contributor to the content of the program and feel that I have become personally and professionally connected to these Iraqi professors.

This connection grew during my time in the northern part of Iraq for an internship with International Relief and Development (IRD) this summer. As an intern with IRD, my responsibility was to support program activities that strengthen civil society outreach and engage citizens to work cooperatively to promote conflict resolution in the disputed areas of Ninewa and Kirkuk. One of IRD’s major activities applies Theater of the Oppressed methodologies to build cultural bridges and promote national reconciliation in the Iraqi context. During the internship I remained in contact with many of the CGA Iraqi Scholars. In fact, I even connected with one of the first graduates of the University of Duhok’s new master’s program in Peace and Conflict Studies at the IRD office. Though

I was only a program intern with IRD for a short while, the staff valued my input and encouraged my active involvement. While in Erbil, I also had the chance to network with other international relations professionals stationed in Iraq — making friends at the Wi-Fi café in town. My work in Iraq was extremely rewarding and I have the CGA and, specifically, Professor Hill, who helped connect me with the IRD field office, to thank for this opportunity. Now, I have many colleagues and friends in Iraq and I look forward to my next adventure, be it in New York, Iraq, or in some other far-reaching part of the world.

Sustainable Peace Through Sustainable Energy

Joy Galvez ‘12This summer I pursued an internship with Sustainable Energy Services Afghanistan (SESA), an Afghan company that specializes in community-based renewable energy systems. The particular focus of the internship with SESA was managing conflict among the company’s male and female staff in a male-dominated industry (and country) through human resource management. The company has given its four female staff the opportunity, skills, knowledge, and confidence to improve their lives while remaining respectful of Afghanistan’s culture and traditions. At the same time, it proved that Afghan women are employable and are able to keep up with their male counterparts in the renewable energy industry.

Taken as a required field component of the MSGA course Workshop in Applied Peacebuilding, this experience fit well with my academic and career objectives. For the past 10 years, my professional activities have focused on clean energy and the environment. Early on in the MSGA program, I decided that my master’s thesis would be about Afghanistan’s energy security as it relates to development and peace. Considering the relevance of the niche topic of Afghan energy security, I am optimistic about moving my career forward along this path. I believe there are solutions to the world’s energy crisis that will also meet global development objectives. All we need to do is come up with practical solutions, one country at a time.

Finding Hope in the DRC

Mara Tshibaka ‘12 and Elizabeth Cantrell ‘12Every day 1,100 women are raped in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Referred to as Africa’s World War, the conflict in the DRC has claimed the lives of over five million people and been characterized by the systemic rape of its resources and people. Two failed UN missions and 17 years of humanitarian aid have produced few positive sustainable results. When the media covers the atrocities, if they cover them at all, it perpetuates the world’s image of interminable brutality. One could get lost in the complex web of statistics and problems facing the DRC today, but we wanted to find solutions. So we set out on a mission to uncover hope for the future, and what we found was hope in abundance. We traveled to the Eastern Kivu region of the DRC with filmmaker Jesse Doland to document the experience.

Female engineers at Sustainable Energy Services Afghanistan. Photo by Joy Galvez

When we arrived in Bukavu we didn’t know what to expect but quickly realized solutions for the Congo lie not in the number of aid dollars, but in the resiliency and ingenuity of the people. We met many courageous people who were willing to share with us and welcome us into their homes, offices, and hearts. Our conversations and interviews ranged from holding the hands of rape survivors and engaging in controversial exchanges with military officers to facilitating a panel discussion with brilliant young leaders who have visions of a Congo transformed from a humanitarian graveyard into an oasis of peace and tourism.

One of the most powerful examples of change on the ground came from an extraordinary young Congolese couple. Camille and Esther Ntoto created an organization called Un Jour Nouveau (A New Day) and in the process are starting a revolution. Un Jour Nouveau works in many capacities throughout the city of Goma and beyond. Through radio programming (Light of Africa Network), leadership classes (the Leadership Academy), and social activism (Rising of the Sons of Congo) they are changing the way an entire generation thinks and analyzes. They are challenging them to become active participants in the fight to reclaim control of their country. Through the Ntotos, we encountered intelligent youth whose passion and zeal for a better Congo was contagious—civil engineers looking to improve the country’s infrastructure, former child soldiers working to improve opportunities for other children, and leaders teaching their compatriots to truly analyze the world around them. The hope we found was through the eyes of the youth and the leaders helping them reach their full potential.

There is a lot of darkness, violence, and corruption in the DRC, and we don’t seek to minimize the ongoing crisis. However, we firmly believe that if the international community wants to see sustainable results, solutions can be found in building the capacity of, and investing in, the Congolese people themselves.

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Nicholas Chimienti ‘13I am the current Senior Advisor to the Afghan National Army Chief of Personnel (they call this the General Staff G1, or GSG1). I conduct most of my work in the Afghan Ministry of Defense, a very busy office since the Afghans are busy building up their army from the ground up to their goal of 195,000 before the U.S. vacates the country.

I live in Camp Eggars in the capital of Kabul. This location is similar to the Baghdad Green Zone, but is not as big—nor as developed and secure. In general, however, we have a relatively safe mission and are with our counterparts almost every day. The Canadians have the lead on the advisor function, although the command, NATO Training Mission, Afghanistan, is commanded by a U.S. Lieutenant General, LTG William Caldwell. As Senior Advisor to the Afghan National Army Chief of Personnel, I spend about 25% of my time with my principal advisee, in meetings (with an interpreter) with Coalition Forces and Afghans, discussing issues, and moving toward our goal, transition to Afghan control.

The current goal is the establishment of a national Army of 171,600 by the end of our fiscal year. The Afghan Ministry of Defense is very close to this goal, but of course there are issues—primarily accountability for personnel, attrition, and morale. The collaborative nature of my current advising position has been eye-opening and rewarding. This experience has inspired me to do my graduate thesis on topics related to peace and security in Afghanistan.

Staff members of Sustainable Energy Services Afghanistan. Photo by Joy Galvez

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Photo Credits

Below: Ice making factory, Cat Ba, Vietnam. Photo by Marcie Cook. Front Cover: Sunset in Cat Ba on Halong Bay Island in Vietnam. Photo by Marcie Cook. Inside Cover: The Old Citadel in Erbil, Iraq. Photo by Rita Naman. Back Cover: Ghana Global Field Intensive 2011. Photo by Heidi Schmidt.

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