HumphreyProgram Newsletter Maxwell Welcomes Newest Cohort of Humphrey Fellows axwell’s 11th cohort of Humphrey Fellows perspectives they learn at Maxwell and returning to is about halfway through their program their native countries as leaders in improving the NGOs, Myear. The 11 fellows from 10 emerging government ministries, and private businesses where democracies and developing countries are among they work. the year’s 149 fellows from 95 countries. Syracuse The fellows also come to Maxwell with ambitious is one of 13 U.S. campuses to host fellows. learning goals that reflect diverse interests and skills. This year’s cohort hails from Belarus, Brazil, Burkina Professional skills they hope to build include technology Faso, India, Latvia, Panama, Pakistan, Russia, South literacy, technology management, infrastructure Korea, and Tunisia. development, public sector , and human Their diverse professional and cultural experiences as resources management. Humphrey Fellows fit well with Maxwell’s collaborative, Approximately 126 fellows from 70 different countries interdisciplinary ethos and emphasis on public service. have called the Maxwell School and Syracuse University Fellows commit to taking best practices and new home during their fellowship year since 2009. Table of Contents

3 Onondaga County Site Visit 4-5 Peer to Peer Series 6 End of Year Celebration 7 Day in the Country 8 Collaboration with Cornell 9 International Week 9 Maragret in Mexico 10-11 August Orientation 12-14 Fellows Engage on and off Campus 15-18 Fellow Reflections 19-28 Alumni Reflections 29-34 Alumni Updates

2 Winter 2020 Fellows Meet Onondaga County Executive during Site Visit

yracuse fellows had the opportunity to to the citizens of the county. Among officials meet with Onondaga County Executive participating in the discussion were the chief SRyan McMahon during their trip to fiscal officer, deputy county executive, county County offices in November. The County attorney and an assistant commissioner of Executive outlined his main focus areas personnel. It was a wide- ranging discussion that of poverty, infrastructure and economic touched on many elements of service funding development and commissioners provided and delivery at the county level. context as to how the County fulfills its mission

Winter 2020 3 Humphrey Fellows Bolster Executive Speaker Series

umphrey fellows can often be found as speakers for Peer to Peer. It’s an opportunity for the Maxwell community to discover fellows’ perspectives on a wide range of issues around the world. Below are fellows from the two Hmost recent cohorts who presented this past spring and fall.

Huong Ha’s talk was entitled “Truth Under Censorship: Investigative Journalism in Vietnam” and highlighted how Su Wang explored “The Transformation of an journalists can fulfill their mission in a country lacking Urbanization Model and Sustainable Economic freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Development: a Chinese Perspective,” and some of the challenges of China’s current urbanization model, offering ways to transform sustainable development.

Mavrick Boejoekoe, in talking about “Challenges for Lala Zinkevych discussed “When Resilience is Not an the Communities in the District of Sipaliwini, ,” Option: Experience of Ukraine in Strengthening Civil provided an overview of river-based villages populated by and Institutions” in advance of her country’s indigenous people and Maroons. elections.

4 Winter 2020 Rakesh Arya discussed “Gender-based Violence in Francis Wau spoke about “Developing Infrastructure to Haryana, India: A Review of Patterns and Responses and Support ICT Endeavors in Rural Papua New Guinea” and the Way Forward,” looking at issues surrounding gender the distinct challenges in creating basic infrastructure and disparity in this northwest province of India. policies for ICT in rural areas.

Magda Monteza’s talk, “Vision and Measuring of Barbara Barrios Dumanoir provided deep historical Democratic Governability in Panama” explored the context of her country in “Panama: between Two Worlds” concept of democratic governability and its importance demonstrating how its strategic geography enabled for sustainable development within the contact of connectivity and a beneficial logistics route, transforming Panama’s Vision 2025. global maritime trade.

Rodolphe Peguewinde Bance spoke about “Burkina Marco Konopacki’s talk, “Computational Power: Faso Popular Uprisings: a Call for Change” and how Automated Use of WhatsApp in Brazilian Elections” leaders in his country have come to power and how more kicked off the fall semester. He outlined a study where he recent uprisings have played a role. investigated primary factors that demonstrated the degree of coordination among WhatsApp groups and identified patterns of behavior of its users.

Winter 2020 5 Year End Celebration Fêtes Fellows

umphrey Fellows, families and friends gathered for culture and discovery; Bingo, wisdom connected with in late April to celebrate the conclusion of the the basis and essentials; Francis, frankness from simplicity H2018-2019 on-campus portion of fellowship and and clarity; Gabriel, sensitivity with class; Huong, to wish the fellows farewell as they embarked on the final commitment with focus; Isaura, firmness with intelligence component of their Humphrey year, their professional and purpose; Islam, magic of the power of recognition; affiliations. Lala, passion to communicate clearly; Mavrick, integrity Magda Monteza was selected by her colleagues to offer with sensitivity; Rakesh, the subtlety of observation; reflections on behalf of the cohort. She invoked the Serge, passion to change the world; and Su, calmness of a wisdom of Hubert H. Humphrey and the collaborative great observer.” nature of success, which is tantamount to the Humphrey Fellows received certificates from the U.S. Department of program at Syracuse. She also paused to consider the gifts State, signed by President Donald Trump and Secretary of she received from each of her colleagues: “Anton, passion State Mike Pompeo; and Syracuse University.

6 Winter 2020 Day in the Country Celebrates Rural id-September includes the tradition of visiting host Mfamily Barry and Kathy Kogut’s rural home to experience a day in the country. This year included an extra waterfall, Delphi Falls, whose magnificence didn’t disappoint. Along the way, Fellows, their families and Humphrey Family & Friends walked behind Tinker’s Falls, visited Barbland dairy farm, picked produce from the Kogut’s garden and enjoyed Kathy’s famous pasta dinner, complete with sauces made from their garden. After a busy month settling in and adjusting to the fellowship, it was a relaxing way to spend an early fall day.

Winter 2020 7 Collaboration with Cornell Continues yracuse and Cornell fellows gathered for a cross campus collaboration in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State in what’s become an annual tradition. One of the highlights was driving up the Whiteface SMountain Highway to experience the summit of one of NYS’s High Peaks.

Syracuse fellows also then connected as a cohort at Minnowbrook Conference Center in Blue Mountain Lake for cohort building, hiking, and for an intrepid few, paddle boats on a chilly Blue Mountain Lake. It was a long weekend filled with cultural exchange, networking, rest and relaxation as the semester hit its mid-point.

8 Winter 2020 Fellows Observe International Education Week umphrey Fellows gathered with Humphrey Family & Friends and international business students from our associate campus, SUNY Oswego, to celebrate International Education Week in November. Fellows Hgave presentations about their country or culture that also included questions from those gathered. Amy Nemith, our IIE liaison, was visiting the Syracuse campus and was also able to attend.

Syracuse Director Debuts Toolkit in Mexico City for IIE

yracuse Humphrey Director Margaret Lane travelled to Mexico City this fall where she Smet with Humphrey alums from Syracuse, MIT, Cornell, UC Davis, Penn State and UNC Chapel Hill in addition to Comexus staff to discuss ways to engage Humphrey alums. A large part of this engagement included the rollout of a toolkit on public participation to help engage the public on critical issues and challenges facing the regions where Humphrey alums are working and living. Based on the research and in collaboration with Maxwell professor Tina Nabatchi, this toolkit is one way for alums to leverage, engage and extend their Humphrey year with this resource to encourage grassroots initiatives. Margaret also had the opportunity to catch up with Syracuse Humphrey alum Gina Chacon (2012-2013, Mexico).

Winter 2020 9 Orientation Provides Introduction to Fellowship

ugust orientation provides a chance for incoming fellows to get settled in their new home. While some activities are perennial, each year offers something a little different. This year Ahighlights included a visit to a Native American history and cultural center, volunteering at Samaritan Center soup kitchen, meeting host families & friends, learning from Humphrey alums... and each other!

10 Winter 2020 Winter 2020 11 Fellows Engage On- and Off-Campus Fellows were busy this fall getting involved in talks, facilitations, simulations, conferences and more. It enables them to pursue some individual goals of their fellowship.

our Syracuse Humphrey fellows joined an International Strategic Crisis Negotiation Exercise Fpresented by Maxwell and the U.S. Army War College. The crisis was about a fictional conflict in the Jammu-Kashmir region along the India-Pakistan border. Ieva Krekovska (Latvia), Sreeparvathy S.L.(India), Hanna Yahorava (Belarus) and Nader Zayer (Tunisia) were among 30 participants in this 2-day simulation.

arbara Barrios Dumanoir (Panama) participated in a community mediation training sponsored Bby New Justice Conflict Resolution Services. This 2-day training is the first step in a process to become a volunteer mediator for the Syracuse-area nonprofit. Participants included community members as well as Syracuse University volunteers, many of whom are affiliated with the Conflict Management Center, part of the Program for the Advancement of Conflict and Collaboration at the Maxwell School.

12 Winter 2020 axim Glagolev (Russia) participated in the Techstars Startup Weekend organized by Blackstone LaunchPad Mat Syracuse University. He worked with his team to develop a new company including the creation of an idea and concept; analysis of the market, competitors and customers; and development of the business model. The event concluded with a pitch session where the team presented their findings.

yracuse Humphrey Fellowship program has continued Sits connection with a local high school, Cicero-North Syracuse, with fellows speaking to a group of seniors involved in an after-school current events club. Hanna Yahorava (Belarus) spoke at Cicero-North Syracuse high school about her country and the challenges and opportunities of women in political leadership- around the world, in the region and in her country. Ieva Krekovska (Latvia) spoke to the seniors about Latvia's defense priorities and security policies. Her talk coincided with two holidays in her country, Bearslayer's Day and Independence Day.

arbara Barrios Dumanoir B(Panama) , Rodolphe Peguewinde Bance (Burkina Faso) , Sreeparvathy S.L. (India) and Hanna Yahorava (Belarus, not pictured) volunteered at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to help them observe International Education Week by serving as "books" in a human library.

Winter 2020 13 arco Konopacki (Brazil) presented at the Harvard workshop, Comparative Approaches to Disinformation, Mfor scholars focusing on disinformation and misinformation studies. His lecture, Hablatam: Digital Literacy and Disinformation in Youth Contexts, highlighted preliminary results of research about how youth are developing digital skills to deal with misinformation and disinformation in Brazil. He also travelled to Syracuse’s associate campus, SUNY Oswego, to speak in Professor Ulises Mejias’ graduate social networks class. His talk was based on research he and a colleague conducted in regards to the use and influence of services such as WhatsApp in the most recent Brazilian election. Marco presented a deeper look into this research during a poster session held at the U.S. Department of State as part of the Humphrey Fellowship Program’s Global Leadership Forum. And as part of the Fulbright Outreach Lecturing Fund, he worked to bring Fulbright Visiting Scholar (University of California Irvine) Ricardo Fabrino Mendonça to Syracuse University and our associate campus, SUNY Oswego to talk about the 2013 demonstrations in Brazil through the lenses of democratic theory and current debates within social movements' literature.

yracuse Humphrey fellows Rodolphe Peguewinde Bance (Burkina Faso) Sand Kherel Naksyl (Russia) attended the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, DC.It was an excellent networking opportunity to meet those working around the world in economic development, public finance management, civil society organizations and IMF and World Bank staff.

anna Yahorava (Belarus) attended the International Democrat Union HForum in Washington, D.C. which also included an advance program for campaign managers. She found the conference to be inspiring and helping to fulfill some of her goals as a Humphrey fellow. 14 Winter 2020 Fellow Reflectionsthat point, I had never guided anybody in cooking. I came to know that Raymond's son-in-law is from India and he wanted to give him a surprise. Yeah, Thanksgiving is the right occasion. He rightly guessed that I don’t take meat. So was his son-in-law and he expected me to know the recipes of vegetarian dishes. He showed me the photos of his daughter in wedding attire- a beautiful saree. But from which state he is, Raymond didn’t know. From the photographs I couldn’t make it. I found women wearing sarees from different states of India. In India, food habits also change from state to state. So, what recipe I should give him?? I was in New Delhi before I came to U.S. Delhi is not my native place, but I was working there. One day my friend Sreeparvathy S.L. I usually write assignments sitting at had come to me and asked, “I placed an order for carrots, and it is more than Sreeparvathy S.L. is a current the Humphrey room of the Maxwell my requirements, shall I bring some Humphrey fellow from India. school. Other fellows say I am addicted to that room. While writing carrots to you?” In India we add spices to almost all vegetables and cook estivals, they are meant to my assignments I have seen Raymond them. Usually I do the same thing with spread happiness. They connect coming there. He cleans the room and carrots, but at that time I told her that people and create memories. we greet each other with a ‘hello’. F we will together make some sweet dish They generate warmth like a scented out of carrot and we made gajar ka candle. I come from India, the land of Before Thanksgiving week also, he halwa i.e. carrot halwa. festivals. Each state of India and each came for cleaning and asked me about my Thanksgiving plans, I showed religion has its own festivals. Then we Yes, carrot halwa is the only thing him the assignment papers. Writing have festivals celebrated across India. I have made delicious. “Yes, I shall assignments, preparing for class … Each month will be colorful with a give you recipe,” I told Raymond. other than reading about the history festival. Irrespective of states, it is relished by of the festival, I didn’t plan anything to almost everyone and is easy to cook. I I landed in Syracuse on 31st July, celebrate the occasion. “Thanksgiving assured him that the recipe will be on 2019. Come August and September, break is going to be a normal week the table I was using as he will be on oh I missed many celebrations. Our for me” I told him. He then suddenly leave for a couple of days and after Independence Day, Onam the biggest asked whether I can help him with that for another two days, I shall not festival of my State…, life is like that, an Indian recipe for Thanksgiving–an be going to the Humphrey room as we but we had a ‘limited edition Diwali' in easy to cook vegetarian recipe. I am had other activities and site visits. I the University. a person who doesn’t love cooking. also told him to go to the YouTube after What should I tell an American who Then came 'Thanksgiving', something reading my note as I wanted him to new to me. asked me for an Indian recipe? Til

Winter 2020 15 see different stages before he started cooking. I made sure that it is available in YouTube in English.

As promised, I left the recipe with some extra instructions on the table. It was a detailed note. After two or three days, I found a small packet on the table where I used to sit. I didn’t open it as I was not sure for whom it was intended. Raymond appeared from somewhere and told me that the packet contained coffee cakes for me and thanked me for the recipe. I also thanked him. After Thanksgiving again Raymond appeared, “Wow !!!” he thanked me profusely and said everyone was surprised and thrilled to have a special Thanksgiving dish. It came Rodolphe out delicious. This year his son-in-law Peguewinde Bance the desert. No flowers on trees, like a had taken his parents to U.S. and all Rodolphe Peguewinde Bance is a way to say no smile and tough time is were amazed and appreciated his current Humphrey fellow from Bukina coming! Then snow, Snow! efforts. All of them liked his special Faso. Like in the desert, windy snow, snow Thanksgiving dish. Raymond was also rom the Sandstorm to the dust and snow storms! Like in the very happy. His eyes were glittering. Snowstorm desert, it covers houses, road, cars He thanked me again. He sat with me and faces!!! and showed me some photographs F Burkina Faso, a sub-Saharan and of his grandchildren. I also became Like in the desert, you need to walk landlocked country, has a desert in very glad. Here is a person who I don’t heavily and softly with specific the north side called SAHEL. During know much and see very rarely and clothes and shoes to wear!!! the winter time, there is periodic sand is not connected to me directly, but Same north, same time, same storm that blow everything around. we could make each other delighted. atmosphere, same tough time: hard The sand covers house, people Magic of the season may be. After a time to face and overcome! faces, cars and roads. We call it while he said goodbye and wished me HARMATTAN! One difference: The snow storm is luck for my semester exams. When coming to US for the white and sandstorm is brown! The pleasure we derive from the Humphrey Fellowship, I was happy I realized through this program that pleasant mind of another person is to escape this weather that I hate. countries have the same challenge truly unique. Leaving this dusty sand everywhere expressing itself differently. covering the nature, , car and The memory of face was great joy for me. Challenges, opportunities and beauties are Thanksgiving will always be And then, I am in SYRACUSE-North glowing in my mind, like a of USA, July, August, September, everywhere, all depend sweet-scented candle. October were beautiful! Beautiful on the way we view and time, nature with colorful trees; dust appreciate them! free environment. I like that! Then November and December, The nature says: we are the same, we plants and trees without leaf like in are the world! Let us work together!

16 Winter 2020 gained traction in my country. I have been tasked to submit a detailed proposal for approval of competent forum in Pakistan. Furthermore, comprehensive module of “managerial leadership” & outstanding teaching methodology of Prof. Gerard compelled me to contact management of Civil Services Academy, Lahore for introduction of similar type of leadership module in the training of “budding” civil servants. Upon my return, I would try to arrange a “leadership seminar” and, if possible, invite Prof. Gerard to interact directly with officers. However, hitherto, the most interesting part is my “Professional Imran Hamid Global Leadership Forum gave Affiliation” with Onondaga County me global perspective of different Management. I’ve got some Imran Hamid is a current Humphrey issues of contemporary world. It also significant ideas which I would fellow from Pakistan. provided a prodigious opportunity practically reproduce in Pakistan to exchange ideas with other mutatis mutandis. For example, am a member of Pakistan accomplished professionals from I’ve already discussed the idea Administrative Service, the elite varied backgrounds. For example, of launching “classDojo” type of civil service whose officers serve I during one of the courses which I application with our provincial IT as principal representatives of was taking at Maxwell, Prof. Hyder team, so that parents may become government in districts in earlier part told about a project in which land part of their children’s schools. & as administrative Secretaries of owners donated lands free of cost for different departments/ministries or construction of roads in Bangladesh. It is still half-way of my fellowship, yet as Chief Secretaries in later part of This idea fascinated me much because I certainly feel that my administrative their careers. I was selected in HHH I am privy to the complications of skills have sharpened a lot via fellowship in 2019 & was enrolled land acquisition processes in the elevating international exposure in in Maxwell School of Citizenship & sub-continent. Hence, I approached the arena of . Public Affairs which is a prestigious some Bangladeshi officers, whom I institute and ranked as No.1 in met during GLF, and requested them I wish the HHH fellowship the field of public affairs. Initially, I to share further information. I am sure was ambivalent of my experience I will be able to introduce that kind of may keep on enriching of Humphrey year; however, my practice in Pakistan as well. skills & knowledge of uncertainties got removed when I was professionals from different warmly received by Mr. Rustan (my Similarly, when I came to know about parts of the world to make host), Ms. Margaret & Ms. Martha. To partnerships between Executive our planet a better Education at Maxwell different our ease, school had also appointed place to live. “conducting officers” to resolve our governments and international teething issues properly. , I hatched the idea of initiating something comparable Right from the beginning, I engaged in Pakistan. Humphrey director myself in diverse activities. I visited Margaret Lane and Executive UNO & World Bank where I met Education director Steve Lux their high-ranking officials. Likewise, provided guidance and this idea has

Winter 2020 17 What I most of this Fellowship learning more about the U.S., its people, its culture and being able to help them learn about Panama.

After this experience, I am more a citizen of the world, confirming that we have more things in common with each other than differences.

Barbara Barrios I met professors at the Maxwell Barbara Barrios Dumanoir is a School who are experts in the areas current Humphrey Fellow from I was interested in: technology and Panama. conflict management. Thanks to those connections, I started the hen I performed the first program to be a volunteer mediator step to get involved in at the New York Court System and this Fellowship, I never W will apply that knowledge in my imagined how much I would grow as a country. Furthermore, I made the professional and as a person. Besides initial approaches with NGOs like the opportunity of studying courses ProLiteracy and MANOS Child & that can help me in my professional Family Center, to learn more about life by gaining new knowledge, I have their projects and advocacies and been able to meet fellows from other modify them to apply those at my countries with projects that could also return to Panama. be very useful for Panama.

18 Winter 2020 Alumni Reflections

San Thida San was a 2014-2015 Syracuse Humphrey Fellow from Myanmar.

he Humphrey Fellowship Information and Reporting System for based on the needs of PFM reform, Program promoted my Treasury, processing for developing special purpose training programs, Tprofessional and leadership skills Core Banking System, establishing seminars, workshops will be delivered in my work. As a government official, the PFM Academy for sustainable under the PFM Academy. after completion of Humphrey program institutional platform and skills-base for (2014-2015), I continued my original PFM are benefited under the MPFMp. The vision of PFM assignment of Budget Department at I was promoted to director position on Academy is to achieve training, research and ICT division as August 2018, and recently I have been deputy director. I am participating in the assigned to the PFM Academy. I would comprehensive and country’s Public Financial Management like to introduce regarding with my sustainable development (PFM) reform as a project coordinator newly assignment to you as following: of the country of Modernization of Public Financial the implementation arrangements Management project (MPFMp) to of the PFM Academy are taking into by upgrading the Public Financial improve revenue mobilization, to account existing institutional structures Management capability of entire public support responsive Planning and under the Budget Department with officials for accountable, responsive, Budgeting, effective budget Executing the oversight of PFM Academy effective and efficient public service and Financial Reporting, Fostering Management Board led by H.E. U deliveries through strengthening External Oversight and . Maung Maung Win, Deputy Minister institutional capacity with the mission Key achievements with transforming for Ministry of Planning, Finance and of PFM academy to consecutively to a self-assessment system (SAS), Industry. The targeted PFM Academy generate public officials who are establishing Administration training beneficiaries are all public competent in attributes of a sound Law, improving Fiscal , officials including State and Region public financial management system. practicing Medium Term Fiscal government officials. Framework, improving Macroeconomic PFM Academy is planning to deliver forecasting, issuing Project Appraisal those four modules such as Module and Monitoring Guideline, establishing 1: Foundations of PFM, Module 2: Treasury Department and Public Debt Planning & Budgeting, Module 3: Management Law, improving financial Accounting & , and Module 4: reporting with FIRST system (Financial Finance & Management. Moreover, Winter 2020 19 The Fifth Discipline. It has the beauty of highlighting the solutions to leadership conundrums that were hiding in plain sight throughout my professional life. It is the mental models that we have so diligently created and nursed for decades that are our biggest failure as a leader. I remember reading a quote of John Maynard Keynes “In the long run we are all dead” in the development class and like some of the other ideas, this one too just got stuck. I have focused the International Partner Professionals on small development projects with Syed Faisal Ahmed from different organizations. Humphrey immediate impact for e.g. building Faisal was a 2015-16 Syracuse Fellows may like to benefit from rooms and washrooms in a far-flung Humphrey Fellow from Pakistan. He is winter class which I took on NGO school, provision of blood to patients currently Commissioner, Sibi Division, Management and at the same time from with congenital diseases, mending a Government of Balochistan. lessons in leadership with particular road somewhere, arranging excursion emphasis on how to adapt between the trips for students, etc. I have made different leadership frames. myself to believe with some effort that The second and my present assignment there are people in the government of commissioner of a division (a who can look after the long term cluster of districts) requires both projects and initiatives. Considering patience and fortitude in abundance. the ephemeral nature of our tenure on As if the geography and terrain wasn’t different positions, it would be in the challenging enough, around half best interest of the population that a dozen manmade or rather self- I engage in these small projects and inflicted issues have provided me with move on. leadership opportunities to the extent that I’m afraid that at this rate I might soon be running out of tricks. A year of learning, Despite one’s disinclination towards adventure, reflection and have realized that with the passage learning and accepting novel ideas, the opportunity to create of time and as we grow older some of them do get stuck. The grand memories awaits I(and perhaps wiser), some of the simplest among them are the most the incoming lucky cohort hackneyed phrases that we had hitherto potent. A book referred to our cohort at Syracuse University. blithely ignored, begin to make a lot of during the Humphrey year and authored sense. Take for example the “time flies” by Peter M. Senge, goes by the name of idiom; I feel as if it was yesterday that I returned from Syracuse, but actually three very long and “interesting” years have passed and am already on my second assignment as a civil servant. The first assignment upon my return from the US was to lead the Polio Eradication Program in the province of Balochistan. I learnt a lot during the course of my two year stint, both from the collective and at times obstinate wisdom of the society and

20 Winter 2020 and working with diverse number of cultures and settings of Pacific island countries. Since moving from Serbia my duty station is in Fiji, but since in the region I spent almost three months working and living in main island of – Funafuti. Tuvalu population is just above 11,000 people with 6,000 living on the main island. Implementing MICS, survey with extensive training and testing (over two months needed to finalize both before fieldwork commences) was both challenging and interesting. Filip Mitrovic Sustainable Development Agenda to Compared to most countries Tuvalu Filip was a 2015-16 Syracuse measure Sustainable Development could be considered remote, as there Humphrey Fellow from Serbia. Goals (SDGs) indicators and we are only two flights per week in and collect data on human well-being and out of the main island (the other eight his is a short reflection on my development, academic progress and islands can be reached by boat only). work, places where I work after education in the country, energy use, Unless plane is landing or departing, Humphrey Fellowship and quality of water used by , T airport runway is a playground for lessons, I try to take with me as an social transfers and other assistance all sports at any other point. It was alumni. programs, immunization and many a great place to have morning jog, more. So far over 300 surveys have I have enjoyed previous year and especially if I was there between 5 been implemented in more than 110 a half, with UNICEF as a MICS and 6 in the morning when heat is still countries. National statistical offices Consultant. The Multiple Indicator manageable. Other perks of Funafuti build capacity of staff of by working Cluster Survey (MICS) is the largest include 0 minutes spent on commute: on such a survey, creating source of statistically sound and airport is right next to lodge I stayed a trove of precious data for policy internationally comparable data on in and directly across the street of the makers - ministries, international women and children worldwide. In government building (all ministries community. my role as a consultant I work with are located in this two-story building, national statistical offices to assist in MICS Consultants get to have an highest object in the country). So, design and customization of surveys interesting daily schedule in assisting everything was close by in Funafuti. for their country. Fun part is not with this process. For the last half On the other side internet is not the just planning and crunching data year additional perk is travelling fastest in the world and cell reception (which I do enjoy very much), as I also participate in training fieldwork teams to conduct face-to-face interviews with household members on a variety of topics – focusing mainly on those issues that directly affect the of children and women. In later stages of the survey implementation, my role would allow me to go to the field with teams of interviewers and provide feedback on survey implementation. MICS is a major data source during the 2030

Winter 2020 21 is not the most reliable (it was really and weight of every child under excited and gather up to say ‘hi’, it was easy to determine if it either was 5 to later calculate prevalence of very important to high five everyone, working or not – one would just to stunting, heaping and other important a practice I honored and enjoyed, look up at the only cell tower in the indicators. Measuring equipment for throughout the fieldwork. island - if there was a maintenance all tests is shipped to the country, but Some residents would say they worker climbing on top of it to fix items like hand sanitizers and weights believe despite remoteness, and lack reception, it was not working). Also, to calibrate scales for measurements of some services their country is the due to its remoteness, some goods are procured locally. These also had best place to live in the world. are not as present in Funafuti as they to be brought in the country as well, would be in other places. Most of the as none were available locally. Oh, Since in the Pacific, I also monitored fruit is imported, as well as majority of important note, there are no barber the implementation of the same other goods. Cargo shipments arrive shops in Funafuti, or ATMs and credit survey in the Kingdom of . every two to three weeks, so when cards are not accepted anywhere. Compared to Tuvalu, Tonga seemed you hear cargo ship came to wharf, very large and more familiar setting in During and after training, observing going to one of a few stores in the terms of services and goods available. teams during fieldwork was great island gave me the same rush as going Monitoring fieldwork is important to experience also. Interviews would to a clearance sale. make sure data is collected in line with often take place in the hammocks defined methodology and standards. Same issue was with items needed for (ever present in front of the houses), Next to main island in the Kingdom, I the survey. We train staff to perform with ocean in the background. visited teams in island of ‘Eua, famous water quality testing in the household Personal highlight was being a for whale watching as waters around and to do this test properly they foreigner (palagi), especially while it are among deepest in the world need to use hand sanitizers before visiting households in the outskirts and whales gather for breeding. Also, every test. Staff also measures height of the island. Kids would get super to get to ‘Eua, one takes a shortest commercial flight in the world, lasting just below 10 minutes. I did not have a chance to see the whales due to schedules, but I did learn a what “Kai ke mate” means – eat until you die. While taking a lunch break with the team of interviewers, they served more food then I would expect for a holiday feast. When thinking about my experience in Syracuse, there are a few lessons I find relevant since my time as a

22 Winter 2020 Humphrey Fellow: class that offered the opportunity to listen to great guest speakers involved •During my year at Maxwell I enjoyed in megaprojects that developed as developing new skills in using data in public-private partnerships and smart policy analysis and decision making. cities. I audited classes to complement Those technical skills made me at ease my knowledge about non-profit in looking at work opportunities like organizations, and policy the one I am enjoying right now – from process in the field of science and working on monitoring and technology. in emergencies to operational implementation of household surveys. Indeed, professional development is a key point as a Humphrey fellow •Equally important for me, was and the Maxwell School is full of another realization I had during the opportunities to improve various year in Syracuse. It is about public competencies such as public service, field I have spent most speaking, professional image and the of my professional life before the Magda Monteza whole package of leadership skills. Fellowship. I realized that Magda was a 2018-19 Syracuse What a great experience to study Humphrey Fellow from Panama. and learn through different case being in public service he experience as a Humphrey studies oriented for experienced is not defined by a fellow is an adventure of just scholars. Knowledge I received was position a person holds over three hundred days. When complemented with site visits and T presentations by different people but understanding what I am writing this, two hundred and that you never thought you’d be community one is serving. nighty nine days have passed. Now, when I look back, from Washington, listening to in person, such as Trevor D.C., where I do my professional Noah; Susan Goldberg, editor in chief Next to the skillset, a perspective on affiliation, I realize that time goes of National Geographic Magazine; this guided me on the career choices by so much faster than one thinks. Hubert H. Humphrey, III; and former in the three years since Maxwell. I soon understood that time is a President Jimmy Carter. •Third lesson I try to carry forward resource that must be treasured and from my time as a Fellow is about used wisely to take advantage of understanding that different cultural everything. That is the only way to backgrounds of people we work shrink the activities in the wish list… with lead to different expectations because there will always be one. and habits from our own and our Flexibility is a word to characterize own culture. To be successful in the program. I knew I was coming implementing any technical expertise, to one of the best schools in public serve targeted community effectively, affairs in the country. Even though cultural appreciation as a first step one can be lost in finding what really toward cultural understanding is was planning, my learning process important. included the frameworks to analyze Regardless of what someone does, public policy process, something The opportunity to participate in where they live and what was their lacking in Latin American countries a Peer to Peer presentation was Humphrey experience, positive and the Asian experience in the global extraordinarily satisfactory. It was attitude and sense of humor can help, economy and governance, which an honor to have the participation of almost anywhere. offered a vision about public-private partnerships in countries such as the majority of fellows, classmates Thailand, China and India. But it also and friends, and three scholars in provided a new perspective about attendance supporting. I participated public infrastructure, a demanding in most of the workshops sponsored Winter 2020 23 by the Conflict Management personal perspective. Life is a path Center in the Program for Research that put many people in to interact on Conflict and Collaboration in and learn, and addition to those offered by the Program of Latin America and the the Humphrey year at the Moynihan Institute certainly is about of Global Affairs. I like to think that connecting with people was the beginning of a long-lasting relationship with these centers. to create an amazing network. For the individual part of the program, I was dedicated to improving my skills A Humphrey fellow must be looking in English and that quest helped me to always outside the comfort zone. build other connections with people It was not easy to accept all the from the Central Public Library challenges as they came, but one must and SUNY ESF. I found a place to try to do it with joy and enthusiasm. dance salsa, merengue and bachata. The program itself challenged my I traveled to different places and vision and my personal mission. But I enjoyed each one of them. I had a lot am grateful for the opportunity and I of fun, in the right amount to handle feel proud to be part of the Hubert H. the stress of classes and papers, plus Humphrey legacy. my duties as a mother of two new adults back home. Looking back at the big picture, I can say that being a Humphrey fellow is The interaction with people from an experience focused on connecting different countries was complex and with one’s self and with people, and provided mostly happy and enriching it is deeply transforming. I will make memories. I enjoyed my host family in use of these learnings all my life and such a special way because I was living hope to be wise enough to contribute with them, which made it possible to towards the creation of coalitions my build a strong bond. I tried to enjoy country needs and encourage young every moment in the right perspective people to go after their dreams to and context. I learned a lot from a very make a better world every day.

24 Winter 2020 that I want to focus on. The conclusion from the readings in my courses and PA is that good governance and transparency are a prerequisite for the development of countries. This will strengthen institutions in the public sector and open the door for investments. My PA concluded with participation in a private roundtable hosted by the Americas Program focused on Suriname and some of the issues it is currently facing.

The Humphrey Fellowship has re-emphasized how much I still need to learn and that Suriname is part of a bigger world.

The experience has given me much better understanding of situations Maverick and writing and the management in these countries and I have of the board of NGOs in the US. appreciated the learning and the Boejoekoe These courses gave good insights on education that my fellows and the Mavrick was a 2018-19 Humphrey development issues and triggered my professors brought to the program. Fellow from Suriname. interest in international development. These have also partially answered hen I started my the above mentioned question. Humphrey Journey Communities are “developed” by Wthe focus was: getting utilizing the assets that they already a better understanding of how possess and by engaging with them countries in financial crisis implement to understand their problems and programs and how poor communities the solutions the members of these could benefit from these programs. communities propose. The NGO Different professors told me that landscape in the US is very different this was a very broad topic. Now from Suriname, but it is possible to that I am reaching the end of my adapt some of these things such as a Humphrey year, I think that it was professionalization of the board. very good to have a broad question, My professional affiliation was at the because it allowed me to get Center for Strategic and International different perspectives on different Studies (CSIS) with the Americas development issues. Program, which focusses on Latin The courses that I enrolled in at American and the Caribbean. In Maxwell targeted my background in this organization I got a better the Non-Governmental Organization understanding of the saying “the eye (NGO) sector in Suriname. The does not see itself.” The Humphrey emphasis was on civil society, Fellowship enhanced my interest in leadership, project management this region and it is a part of the world Winter 2020 25 magazines and books from various Ibrahim; African culture with Mireille sources covering diverse topics and and Binta; what did it mean to be a was I pretty confident that I was well professional woman in Bangladesh informed about the world. with my dear friend Taifa; global issues like international development and And then came the Humphrey climate change with Nazla; and all the Experience. One hot August day curious topics with the unforgettable I arrived at the Eggers Hall at the Nick, always spiced up with his unique Maxwell School of Citizenship wit. This brief summary is too short to and Public Affairs, at Syracuse encompass all the wonderful people University in New York State. I from the other 12 campuses, that faced the 12 pairs of curious and will always remain dear friends and smiling eyes of my fellow cohorts, exceptional as people. each one with a flag of her/his own in the middle of the desk. Our Syracuse University was unique coordinators welcomed us with because it also offered to us an official lots of information, ready for every certification for our program of choice. Nora Buklevska question we had, so that we could I am now a very honored recipient of Nora was a 2017-18 Syracuse integrate as soon as possible. the Certificate of Advanced Study in eGovernment. It shall remain one of my Humphrey Fellow from North What followed that year happened dearest achievements. Macedonia. at the speed of light. It is always hen Marina reminded me like that when you are experiencing I had the opportunity to be a part for the second time that entirely different daily activities, of a fabulous organization for my I still hadn’t sent her my with new people, in a new setting. professional affiliation program, which W We had a wonderful opportunity not is an integral part of the Humphrey brief on my Humphrey year, I cringed. It is not that I didn’t want to do it. It is only to choose our academic focus, Fellowship. That organization is the not that I didn’t know what to say. It but also had at our disposal courses Consortium for Science, Policy and is just that there is so much, and the from other schools and numerous Outcomes, at the School for the Future entire experience has been so intensive seminars, talks, conferences, of Innovation in Society at Arizona and expansive, that it seemed like an collaborations with other campuses State University at Washington, DC. impossible task. and all of that while having fabulous I was surrounded by top scientists Moreover, because time. I cannot calculate the number whose mission is to make science and of miles that we travelled, the people technology policy relevant to people’s I could have never from all over the world, with whom lives. I found this mission very close to imagined that that one you realize how much you have heart and each day spent there meant a in common, but also, from whom step closer to a new me. year in the US as a part of you learn just how much there is And all of it happens without all of us the Humphrey Fellowship still to learn about the world; and being fully aware of its impact. And program could be so rich all of it happens at the same time. then suddenly, the program ends, and I Sure, there were days of anxiety, and unexpected. am back where I started. And as one of missing home and loved ones, and my favorite quotes go: “Going back to I come from a country that has been a lot of introspective questions where you started, is not the same as exposed to the Western culture. I about our calling, about who we are, never leaving”. grew up with European and American our aspirations, and visions about music and movies, and as a grown up I the future of the world. Each class As I am concluding this brief summary, was studying from American books of brought some new understaning, I am now even more certain that I didn’t business and management. I had been each seminar a new focus and new do it justice. It really is an impossible working in international organizations questions, each journey revealed task to describe the Humphrey like the USAID and the American Red something new we didn’t know Experience. Cross, and with international staff about ourselves. You would have to experience it before. I was a Harvard Business Review Topics varied from our joint interest yourself. Good luck! subscriber, I was reading all sorts of about digital government with

26 Winter 2020 that deeply guides a desired behavior. For good leaders, oaths are very important. In Kakistocracy (2012)2 and Lord Anthony (2017)3, I made use of the Athenian Oath as an exhortation of intentional conduct. Peripatetic also recognizes this oath – to walk the talk means to live by the Athenian Oath. To walk the talk signifies intentional conduct. The Athenian Oath is the philosophic oath of all free governments and public bureaucracies, of all visionaries, leaders, managers, planners and But in Maxwell, I was much drawn administrators from around the globe. Ronnie Amorado into the Athenian Oath. In a nutshell, the Athenian Oath Ronnie was a 2009-10 Syracuse It exudes a deep evocation and swears to leave this community better Humphrey Fellow from the conveys a principled detachment. than when we found it! Philippines. To the extent that good leadership The oath has become a very inspiring is anchored on value creation and thenian Oath as intentional philosophical foundation of the 1 contribution, rather than by a conduct Maxwell School of Citizenship. franchised position and status in Being the first and oldest public A society, the Athenian Oath is an administration school in the world, “It is not the oath that makes us embodiment of eucracy – or the rule Maxwell School prides itself of believe the man, but the man the of what is good, and – or shaping the evolution of citizenship oath.” enhancing the environment that education and public administration - Aeschylus makes man good. The oath radiates theory and practice in democratic , integrity and citizenship as I started to develop a keen fascination worldwide. At the crux of eucratic virtues. of the Athenian Oath when I went to this pride lies a very strong influence the Maxwell School of Citizenship Solon, a Greek statesman, was from the Athenian philosophers in the in Syracuse University as a Hubert known for his counsel to put more ancient Greeks from over 2,000 years H. Humphrey Fellow in 2009 to trust in the nobility of character than ago. 2010. I have always been interested in an oath. While this is true, it is The Athenian Oath of the City-State with oaths and their passionate important to note that oaths manifest is proudly inscribed right at the giant proclamations. in, and thus represent, the nobility wall by the entrance foyer of the 1 Culled from the author’s recently published of character. Oaths are more than Maxwell Hall just beneath the statue book entitled, Peripatetic: Practical Lessons on rhetorics and promises. They speak Leadership (2019). The author is currently the of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), of covenants and vows, of deep Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs of political philosopher and one of the the University of Mindanao, the largest private aspirations and pledges. Oaths are most influential American Founding higher in the Southern therefore honorable and principled Philippines. He continues to conduct research Fathers (also the 3rd President of and write books on the side as his authorial en- commitments as a person swears by deavors and espouse leadership and citizenship his honor and . 2 The book entitled, Kakistocracy: Rule of through life depiction and social commentary. the Unprincipled, Unethical and Unqualified, Because of his work for the past 2 decades, Oaths may be broken or fulfilled later was the result of the author’s fellowship and the author was bestowed the 2019 Leaders than promised. In fact, because of professional affiliation in Maxwell in 2009- and Achievers of Davao (LEAD) Award in the category of Leadership Education. The award human fallibility, oaths may not even 2010. was given by the Junior Chamber International be fulfilled at all. What is imperative 3 The book entitled, Lord Anthony’s Antonio Senate and the Davao Jaycee Senate Founda- is that they create intentional conduct T. Uy: A Scout’s Biography, was one of the bi- tion. ographical research works of the author. Winter 2020 27 the United States) and who wrote more in elaboration: to where I am sought and needed; to where I can do more, the Declaration of Independence in I will not disgrace my sacred arms 1776: to more and for more Nor desert my comrade, wherever I am in a greater role and better capacity; We will never bring disgrace on this our stationed. and to leave my position, office and City I will fight for things sacred organization, by an act of dishonesty or cowardice. And things profane. better than I found it. We will fight for the ideals and Sacred And both alone and with all to help me. Thus, I will transmit this, Things I will transmit my fatherland not not only not less, but greater, better of the City both alone and with many. diminished and more beautiful, We will revere and obey the City's laws, But greater and better than before. than it was transmitted to me. and will do our best to incite a like I will obey the ruling magistrates reverence Who rule reasonably and respect in those above us who are And I will observe the established laws prone to annul them or set them at naught. And whatever laws in the future This is my peripatetic We will strive increasingly to quicken May be reasonably established. oath. If all men abide the public's sense of civic duty. If any person seek to overturn the laws, Thus in all these ways we will transmit Both alone and with all to help me, by the Athenian Oath this City, I will oppose him. – that by doing more not only not less, but greater and more I will honor the religion of my fathers. beautiful I call to witness the Gods … and transmitting their than it was transmitted to us! The borders of my fatherland, work not only not less, The wheat, the barley, the vines, but greater, better and In the ancient , Athenian men And the trees of the olive and the fig. were obliged to make this oath when more beautiful than it they reach the age of seventeen. A Nicolas B. Pichay, a fellow Hubert was transmitted to them derivative of this oath – known as the H. Humphrey Fellow in the Maxwell – the world now would Oath of the Young Men of Athens and School, an award-winning poet and be in a better shape. The inscribed on a bronze plaque in the littérateur and a legislative lawyer Athenian Oath makes Thacher School in California – also by profession, made an excellent a eucratic and euthenic reads: Filipino translation of the Athenian world, where leaders I will not disgrace these sacred arms, Oath for popular appreciation in the take stock of the past, nor ever desert a comrade in the ranks. Philippines. I also used the same piece I will guard the Temples and in Lord Anthony. and do better for the next the Centers of Civic Life, generation. Panunumpa ng mga taga-Atena and uphold the ideals of my Country, both alone and in concert with others. Mag-isa man o sama-sama, I will at all times obey the Magistrates Lagi naming pagsisikapa’ng itaguyod and observe the Laws Ang mga mithiin at kabanalan ng ating as well those at present in force bayan. as those the Majority may hereafter Pagbubutihin naming lumawig enact. Ang kamalayan ng mabuting Should any one seek to subvert those paninilbihan sa kapwa. laws Igagalang namin at susundin or set them aside, Ang mga batas na makatarungan; Him I will oppose At ipamamana naming either in common with others or alone. Ang isang bayang hindi nakulangan, Kundi humigit pa, In these ways it shall be my constant aim Tumimyas, nag-ibayo ang ningning not only to preserve the things of worth Kaysa sa bayang nadatnan. in my Native Land, but to make them of still greater worth. As a take-away, my own piece An earlier version of this oath, known of the Athenian Oath serves my as the Athenian Ephebic Oath own intentional conduct in all my (because they made the oath in the professional affiliations: Ephebic College in Athens) reads To opt and to go,

28 Winter 2020 Ronnie Amorado Alumni Updates Ronnie (2009-2010, Philippines) has published his third book since his Humphrey fellowship in 2009. Nimrod Goren A lecture and book launch was held Nimrod (, 2009-2010) was in September at the University awarded the Centennial Medal of Mindanao, Philippines for from International Education (IIE) “Peripatetic: Practical Rules on for "promoting peace and fostering Leadership,” which includes a back mutual understanding between cover review by fellow Syracuse Arabs and Israelis [and] dedication Humphrey alum Nicolas Pichay to the field of international education and exchange." IIE President Allan Goodman and IIE Trustee Victor J. Nimrod also had the chance to catch Goldberg presented the award which up with Humphrey director Margaret recognizes Israelis and Palestinians Lane where they reminisced about working together for peace. his program year, the opportunities and impact his fellowship had and More information about the award: how it enabled him to create the https://www.iie.org/en/Programs/ independent think tank, Mitvim, Victor-J-Goldberg-Prize. where is founder and head of the organization. (images of talks and award courtesy

(Philippines, 2017-2018). Other Humphrey alums left their mark on his endeavor including American University alum Katryn C. Cadiente (2011-2012) whose poetry is included in the first chapter, Why Good Leaders Drink Coffee, and Sophremiano Antipolo (MIT, 1988- In October Nimrod travelled to 1989) who served as discussant Washington, D.C. for discussions during the lecture. at the J Street National Conference on democracy, foreign policy and security in Israel and at the Center for American Progress, with an audience that included several Arab countries, where discussion focused on de- escalation of conflicts in the Middle East. (video here: https://youtu.be/ kZWPvhm7xz0). Winter 2020 29 Nell Bartkowiak, Director of Roxana Silva Simpson Snoh & ExecutiveMPA@Syracuse program during a summer immersion Chicaiza Shouvik Mitra conference for online Syracuse 2009-2010 Humphrey fellows University graduate students in New Simpson (Liberia) and Shouvik (India) York City. had a reunion after 9 years when Simpson travelled to India for his work in November. Shouvik works as Elena Marchan a consultant for the World Bank and Food and Agriculture Organization of the . He also in on the board of two nonprofits in India. Shouvik’s work focuses across the Roxana (2009-2010 Ecaudor), rural economic prosperity domain. attended the December meeting of the Asociacion de Magistradas Electorales de las Americas (Association of Electoral Magistrates of the Americas) in Mexico City to share experiences about women’s political participation in the democratic process. Elena (2011-2012, Ecuador) was selected as a presenter during April’s 40th anniversary Humphrey Fellow- ship Program conference in Panama. The three-day conference, “Realizing Full and Inclusive Democracy in Our Hemisphere” was hosted in Panama Baloko Makala City and focused on good gover- nance, social justice and the human legacy of more than 1,000 alumni across the western hemisphere and the communities enriched by them. She also heard updates from the The conference served as a conduit Observatorio Regional Democracia to the future, documenting stories Paritaria, Acoso y Violencia Política and successes and charting s path (Regional Observatory Democracy, forward. Harassment and Political Violence) Elena participated in a plenary of and received special recognition Humphrey alumni from Panama, Chile from the Corporativo de Inteligencia and Brazil. Jennifer Gibson, Branch Educa as International Ambassador Baloko (2010-2011, Rwanda) Chief US Department of State Bureau for her support and commitment to recently co-authored an article as of Education was the moderator. the Mujeres que construyen (Women part of IFC’s Emerging Markets note Elena also discussed how Ecuador Who Build) program. series, EM Compass. needs a systemic shock to separate It’s entitled “Artificial Intelligence itself from corruption in a talk enti- and 5G Mobile Technology Can tled, “A Moment for Systemic Trans- Drive Investment Opportunities in formation.” Emerging Markets.” Another Syracuse alum, Cesar Perez She also met Executive Education’s Carrera (2014-2015, Guatemala)

30 Winter 2020 also attended the commemoration. It was a first-time meeting of the two Gina Chacon & Ana Dee Moskoff Syracuse alums. Marcela Parades Gina (2012-2013, Mexico) and Ana (2012-2013, Ecuador) were international visitors for the 2019 elections in Argentina, held October 27, 2019. Gina writes that she is now Public Policy Coordinator of the Mexico Program for Wildlands Network. She fosters better public policies for the protection of the environment in North America. She works to increase support for private lands conservation, natural protected Dee (2013-2014 South Africa) Pierre El-Haddad, areas, and wildlife corridors and also visited the Maxwell School to speak Lara Saade & to improve enforcement practices with international relations students around wildlife protection. about ConnectNetwork, where Dahlia Kouhry Sader she is executive director. Dee has Lebanese Syracuse alums Pierre maintained strong ties to the Maxwell (2016-2017), Lara (2014-2015) School and Syracuse University, and Dahlia (2012-2013) met with assisting students in internships representatives of the U.S. State and opportunities abroad within Department at the Embassy in Beruit ConnectNetwork. in December where they discussed She also spoke with Humphrey the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship fellows about the professional program and its impact. affiliation process, the benefits of networking as well as some potential challenges and opportunities that https://wildlandsnetwork.org. may await return to their countries and organizations. In addition to being Gina also met Syracuse Humphrey a Humphrey alum, Dee completed Director Margaret Lane during her Executive Master of Public Margaret’s visit to Mexico City in Administration from the Maxwell October, featured elsewhere in this School in 2015. newsletter.

Winter 2020 31 Torkornoo (Ghana) after he attended a conference in Vienna. He used the Cesar Perez opportunity to visit Bratislava while Mirajahon Turdiev Carrera “in the neighborhood.” Additionally, Laura was interviewed Cesar (2014-2015, Guatemala) in May for the Slovak online version delivered a workshop on Smart of Forbes magazine about the role Cities at the Guatemala Innovation of NGOs, their challenges and the Forum #GIF2019 in November. motivation of people working in this This forum was organized by the third sector. She states that the article Government with the help of the was a response to disinformation, Millennium Challenge , conspiracy and hoaxes spread an independent U.S. government primarily by some web sites during foreign aid agency, the Inter-American In the summer of 2018, Mirjahon the last two years in Slovakia. Bank (IDB) and other international Turdiev (2014-2015, Uzbekistan) stakeholders. It brings together more proposed to the Ambassador of Link to the article: https://www. than 1,000 people interested in Uzbekistan to the United States forbes.sk/potrebuje-slovensko- innovative topics. that he visit Syracuse University to mimovladky-bez-nich-neslo-o- meet with the university leadership zdravy-stat-hovori-riaditelka- and explore partnership possibilities karpatskej-nadacie/. with Uzbekistan’s higher education institutions and public service offices. In late February 2019, Ambassador Vakhabov and the Embassy’s key personnel visited Syracuse University to meet with the Chancellor, and deans of Maxwell School and the School of Information Studies (iSchool) and students from Uzbekistan. Representatives from these schools followed up Laura Dittel with a visit to Uzbekistan. An MOU For more than a year, Laura has been was signed between the Syracuse serving on the Steering Committee of University and Tashkent Institute of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Information Technologies to start forum where she’s been focused on the initial discussions on academic internal reform of the organization collaborations. (Mirjahon is pictured and the transfer of experience from second from right). the Slovak and European NGOs to Eastern Europe to help these countries to integrate their goals. She also reports that the Carpathian Foundation, where she is director, Laura (2014-2015, Slovakia) has became a fund operator of the stayed engaged with the Humphrey Norwegian Funds.. The organization is program, discussing it during a U.S. a member of a consortium along with embassy-organized event held at the Open Society Foundation under the World Ice Hockey Championship in leadership of Ekopolis Foundation. Kosice. She also met with 2014-2015 The program will distribute 9M Euros VCU Humphrey alum Francis Kofi to the Slovak NGO sector.

32 Winter 2020 André Ndjallè Yuliya Gureyeva Nazla Mariza Aliyeva

left: Nazla, second from left: Nora In March, Nazla (2017-2018, André (2015-2016, ) sent Indonesia) represented her photos of he and his wife, Beatrice organization, Center for Public during a trip to Dakar, Sénégal. He Policy Transformation at a USAID was attending a convening of the grant award signing ceremony for a African Tax Researcher’s Network Municipal Waste Recycling Program. and visiting a Jehovah’s Witnesses Yuliya (2016-2017, Azerbaijan) United States Ambassador Joseph missionary house. They also toured had a chapter published in “Women’s Donovan and a local government Gorée Island in Sénégal, one of the Everyday Lives in War and Peace in partner from Gowa District in South places in Africa from which slaves the South Caucasus.” The chapter, Sulawesi witnessed the signing. were sold and transported out of entitled “Exploring Two Generations The goal of her 2-year project is Africa. of Women Activists in Azerbaijan: to “Strengthen Local Government Between Feminism and a Post-Soviet Capacity and Coordination in Best Locality,” was written in part during Waste Management Practices.” She is her Humphrey year. Executive Director of the Center. Claude Fanohiza In May, she was asked by the Claude Fanohiza (2015-2016, American Indonesian Education Madagascar), Executive Director Foundation (AMINEF), the institution of Tany Meva Foundation signed an that administers Fulbright programs agreement with USAID Madagascar in Indonesia, to represent Indonesian this summer that creates an Humphrey fellow alumni to talk about innovative and sustainable funding Humphrey Fellowship Program during system to help support natural a Pre-Departure Orientation Session resource management initiatives of for the next two Humphrey fellows community organizations. (images from Indonesia. During this time courtesy Tany Meva Foundation) Panoreja (Nora) Buklevska (2017- 2018, North Macedonia) was visiting and also provided her perspective for the incoming fellows. Nazla was able to meet Indonesian alumni from 5 different cohort years, from 1998 through 2011. As a result, an Indonesian Humphrey Alumni Forum has been created, which currently is utilizing WhatsApp to become established.

Winter 2020 33 Anton Shevchenko Anton (2018-2019, Ukraine) has had some dynamic projects since returning to his country in June. He spent the summer in , analyzing the United Nations Mine Action Service projects, supporting the UN’s special political mission She is working on increasing the and the African Union peacekeeping number of those who are connected. mission in that country and provided She also participated in the Humphrey reports to the UN HQ in NYC. Anton Fellowship 40th Anniversary was also involved in the drafting of an conference, “Indo-Pacific Pathways to annual budget for such projects and Cooperation” in Jakarta where Nazla providing advice to the project units provided some reflections during the on result-based project management. closing session. He is pictured during UN safety This fall the Center for Strategic and training in in July. International Studies (CSIS) website, Back in Ukraine this fall Anton which was her professional affiliation worked for the United States host, posted an article based on her government’s Biological Threat research. Reduction Program providing policy advice to Black & Veatch Special https://csisprosper. Projects Corp., a federal business com/2019/08/19/the-fu- contracted by the U.S. Government to ture-of-low-skilled-manufactur- implement non-proliferation projects ing-labor-in-industry-4-0/?fb- in Ukraine. clid=IwAR3jX6UafZjY4-2cY7Yx- cRaLFb-T_KN8Ptdizd7xgarLU8w- biQWSGJVQQJU

Executive Education Programs 219 Maxwell Hall Syracuse, New York 13244-1020

34 Winter 2020