Africa Working Group

At our final meeting of the semester, we screened the film Munyurangabo, a quiet, independent film released in 2007. The film follows two adolescents, Sangwa and Munyurangabo, as they journey through Rwanda in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. Though they are companions, it is later revealed that one boy is a Hutu, and the other is a Tutsi. During the 100 days of the Rwandan genocide, Hutu extremists murdered hundreds of thousands of Tutsis over cultural conflict. Though survivors of this tragedy from opposing sides, the boys seem unfazed. They share a simple relationship expressed in little dialogue, and only when we meet Sangwa’s family does the tension become evident. The film is powerful because it marks the growth, maturation, and strength of these two boys, while simultaneously paralleling the growth, maturation, and strength of a country after great devastation – without a scene of violence.

After a semester of exploring both broad-based and specific areas of research in African development and bringing in guest speakers from two African countries (Uganda and Sudan), Munyurangabo was a wonderful way to cap off 2010. We look forward to continuing our work in 2011!

Is government transparency always a good thing for the people?

Starting November 28^th, 250,000 diplomatic cables were released to the public through Wikileaks. Wikileaks is an international non-profit media organization that seeks to encourage government transparency by releasing otherwise classified documents to the public. Among the quarter-million documents released Sunday, 11,000 of them were marked secret. The editor in chief of Wikileaks, Julian Assange, staunchly defends the release of the documents stating that governments use secrecy to conceal unjust behavior, and therefore Wikileaks must, “act against abusive organizations.”

Some of the leaked documents were almost comical - one U.S. diplomat called Russian Prime Minister Medvedev Robin to Putin’s Batman.  Other documents were more substantial; some indicated that Iran’s Arab neighbors are quietly pleading with the US to launch an attack against Iran’s nuclear program.  While this might come as a surprise to some, those who closely follow the region suspected as much.

Now that Iran is aware other Arab nations are coordinating the United States, will this adversely affect efforts to impede Iran’s nuclear program? Will Arab states be more reluctant to coordinate with the United States, even in secret, for fear their actions will be revealed? When does transparency become detrimental to international diplomacy?

The Wikileaks documents undermined political trust built up between nations.Releasing this type of political gossip does not make the world more just, it makes world more difficult to diplomatically navigate. If governments cannot communicate in private and give their honest opinions about heads of state without fear, they become less efficient, and therefore less effective. I’m usually a tremendous advocate for government transparency. However, in this scenario I do not see the benefit.

Present and/or publish your work to a broader audience

Political science faculty meet annually at the Palmer House in Chicago to present their current research at the Midwest Political Science Association's Annual Conference. For several years, the organizers have included a poster session for undergraduate research and several ND students have presented in the past few years. If you are interested, see the following blurb extracted from a recent email:


"Finally, I wanted to remind you that several years ago, the MPSA created a Poster Section for Undergraduate Research. This is a great opportunity for advanced undergraduate students to present a capstone project and get an understanding of academic research if they are considering graduate school. If you have any undergraduate students that might be interested, please forward them information on this (www.mpsanet.org) The deadline is December 3, 2010."


Additionally, I was recently contacted Columbia University’s Journal of Politics & Society, an undergraduate academic journal distributed in outlets like Barnes & Noble and Borders. I was specifically asked to nominate papers from my junior seminar on financial crises but also other undergraduate research of note such as seminar papers and senior theses. If you are interested, please let me know (Guisinger.1@nd.edu). The deadline is January 15th; papers must be a minimum of 15 pages. To find out more, you can also go to www.helvidius.org.


Best,


Professor Guisinger

Latin America Working Group

We began a discussion on immigration from Latin American countries to the United States. A topic we focused on was the current policies towards immigrants and how refugee status is given. Many citizens are denied refugee status even though human rights violations are occurring in their countries. A possible explanation is the US support for those countries governments and the desire to display one image towards it. Some examples of these countries are Haiti, Colombia, or El Salavador. The percentage of people granted refugee status from these countries is much lower than other countries. Next week we plan on continuing the discussion on immigration.

Africa Working Group

This week the Africa Working Group continued it's discussion about South Africa, examining and discussing articles which forecast South Africa's future and needs. We discussed how though South Africa has the strongest economy of any other sub-Saharan country it is not the strongest institutionally, with countries like Botswana having a far more efficient and less corrupt government. 

Southeast Asia Working Group

The Southeast Asia group discussed the ND Forum, "The Global Marketplace and the Common Good," as it pertains to the region. The discussion focused on China and ways to incentivize innovation in the green energy industry. The group also discussed Thomas Friedman's surprising height--he only comes in at about 5'7".

Africa Working Group

Dr. Robert Esuruku, a Kellogg Institute Fellow from Uganda spoke to the Africa Working Group about his research "Gender, Local Governance, and Participatory Rural Development in Uganda", highlighting the notable absence of women at the level of the local government despite the mandate that women comprise 1/3 of thee national government. Dr. Esuruku also gave the group advice about how to prepare and conduct research ourselves.

Middle East and Central and South Asia Working Group

The Middle East discussion group this week focused on the effect of the Midterm elections on American foreign policy, the balance of US military to aid spending, and the current prospects for success in the Israel-Palestine Peace process. Eileen also introduced us to couch-surfing for the first time, which may have been the highlight of the night.

Middle East and Central and South Asia Working Group

 What effect will the U.S. midterm elections have on International Development?

On Tuesday, November 2^nd 2010 Americans voted and citizens of the world were affected.  Republicans gained sixty seats and control in the House of Representatives; Democrats lost six seats in the Senate, but maintained a majority.

While the bulk of Americans vote on domestic issues – jobs, the economy, health care, etc., our elections have vast worldwide implications. The 2010 Midterm election results primarily raise two questions: Can a government that is divided – with a Democratic President and Senate and a Republican House – be as effective internationally? How will this change in U.S. leadership affect the world at large?

Can a government that is divided be as effective internationally?

In the past two years, President Obama has made great strides in foreign relations. He has made nuclear nonproliferation a priority with Russia, reached out to the Middle East, and employed strategic diplomacy.  However, the president does not act unilaterally in foreign affairs. With the opposition party controlling the House, many of the key international policies Obama has put forth may now be out of his control. For example: many Republicans opposed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, as they do not want to limit U.S. defense. With their gain in the Senate, they have more power to block ratification of such a treaty. As a reaction to our elections, the Russian international committee of State Duma withdrew it recommendation to ratify the Treaty.

How will this change in U.S. leadership affect the world at large?

In terms of the Middle East, many predict that settlement between Israelis and Palestinians will prove more elusive. Danny Danon, a legislator from the right wing Likud party of Israel stated, “The huge influx of newly elected representatives and senators to Washington includes dozens of strong friends of Israel who will put the brakes on the consistently dubious, sometimes dangerous policies of President Obama […]” Conversely, a senior Palestinian official stated that Palestinians, “are not affected by the results of the election.”

As a result of President Obama’s fresh opposition in Congress, I believe he can employ one of two tactics. He can either turn inward, dedicating more of his time and attention toward domestic issues, as they will require more careful maneuvering and politicking to advance legislation in an unfriendly Congress. Or, he will devote more effort to international affairs, because, despite limits Congress may now place on him, he still holds more efficacy abroad than domestically. I believe the latter of the two options will ensue. President Obama has largely accomplished his intended domestic agenda: Health Care reform, Stimulus Package, Wall Street Reform, Credit Card Bill of Rights, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act Reauthorization Act, and provided the Department of Veterans Affairs with more than $1.4 billion to improve services to America’s Veterans. With opposition in the House, Obama has a convenient (or legitimate, depending on the scenario) excuse not produce results domestically – leaving him with more time to accomplish his international objectives.

Africa Working Group

South Africa is often considered to be the model country of Sub-Saharan Africa and on Tuesday the Africa Working Group discussed the factors that make it a successful country. We determined that a prominent factor was the overthrowing of the apartheid government through non-violent means which has preserved South Africa from the violent political conflicts that have plagued so many other African nations. Though there is no national violence there is still a great deal violent crime (South Africa has the second highest murder rate in the world) which likely stems from vast inequality which the country still needs to address. 

Middle East, Central and South Asia Working Group

IDRC’s first Coffee and Conversation explored the issues of humanitarian relief and development in Pakistan. As I’m sure you are aware, Pakistan has been ravaged by massive flooding creating a humanitarian crisis of large proportions. Twenty million people were displaced and half a million babies will be born to that displaced population in the next month.  The need for basic items is tremendous – food and drinking water especially; however, the means to fulfill this need is complicated.  Aid that is intended for victims of the flood does not always reach the people it’s supposed to. Furthermore, nations are more inclined to spend money on defense measures than they are to commit dollars to humanitarian or societal problems.

In the neighboring country of Afghanistan, according to a recent report issued from the Congressional Research Service, The United States spent 297 billion dollars in Afghanistan since 2001. To put this staggering amount of money in perspective: if you were to go back in time 1 million seconds, you would travel backwards by about 11.5 days. If you were to go back in time by 1 billion seconds, you would travel backwards by about 31 years (thank you to Mahan Mirza for pointing this out). An additional breakdown of U.S military spending shows that the U.S. has spent $941 a second every second since 2001 to present in the War in Afghanistan.

Why are we so willing to spend excessive amount on destruction and so stingy when it comes to lending a hand to our fellow human? In an opinion piece published a few months ago in the New York Times, Nicholas Kristof points out the for the cost of one soldier in Afghanistan, we could build 20 schools. For the cost of just 246 soldiers posted for one year, America could pay for a higher education plan for all Afghanistan. Greg Mortenson, author of “Three Cups of Tea” and humanitarian extraordinaire has built 145 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan and personally attests that the most effective method for eradicating terrorism and extremism is through the eradication of ignorance and poverty; therefore, through the promotion of education.

So what’s preventing us from employing such an effective solution? Fear. Fear for out safety. Because missiles make us feel safer than schools. Because sending troops into a country makes us appear safer than a group of children reading books does. When we can scrap convention wisdom, when we are willing to invest as much on education as we are on missiles, then we will make progress.

Latin America Working Group

Hola,

We had another great discussion this past week focused on the many issues surrounding Brazil.  Brazil is a nation that, while facing tremendous amounts of globalization and growth, is struggling with many issues surrounding poverty and development.  The rich continue to get richer while the poor are still continuing to get more poor.  Our discussion touched on the key points of this nation, and we addressed some of the main questions and concerns that we all had.  This set a foundation of knowledge that we will continue to branch off from in the months to come.

Saludos,

IDRC Latin America

Africa Working Group

On Tuesday the Africa Working Group discussed two projects we are
beginning. The first is a Facebook group to promote awareness about
the situation in Southern Sudan and the upcoming referendum as well as
ways people can get involved such as sending petitions to
government representatives. For our second project we are trying to
connect with Notre Dame faculty who are currently working on research
about Africa. We are hoping to gain a better understanding of what it
means to conduct developmental research.

Notre Dame Application and Grant Proposal Deadlines

KELLOGG INSTITUTE

Nov. 1, Summer Internship Program

Oct. 28, Latin American Studies Reception

March 4, Experiencing the World Fellowships (Freshmen and Sophomores Only)

April 8, International Scholars Program (Freshmen Only)

INSTITUTE FOR SCHOLARSHIP IN THE LIBERAL ARTS

Mid Nov., UROP Winter Break Travel

Mar 12, UROP Summer Fellowships

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

Rolling (Submit ASAP), Undergraduate Travel Grants

NANOVIC INSTITUTE

Jan. 29, Senior Travel and Research Grants for Spring Break (Only for senior thesis work)

Feb. 12, Internship Grants

Feb. 26, Language Study Grants

CENTER FOR SOCIAL CONCERNS

ISSLP Information Sessions Oct. 12 & Oct. 25

Oct. 27, ISSLP Application Deadline

SSLP has rolling acceptances, but the last day they will accept applications is March 1

CENTER FOR UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARLY ENGAGEMENT

Learning Beyond the Classroom

            Oct. 29, Winter Break

            Feb. 9, Spring Break

CAREER CENTER

***Exact deadlines for these applications are TBA, applications will start to be accepted Nov. 15

See the Career Center website for more information

Global Internship Initiative

National Internship Funding

Alumni Internship Assistance Fund

Rogers Summer Internship Program

OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

See http://www.nd.edu/~ois/Calendars/OIS_Slide2.html for dates of information sessions

Nov. 15, Deadline for all semester and yearlong programs for 2011-2012

Feb. 4, Deadline for summer programs (Begin accepting applications on Nov. 16)

ECK INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH

Global Health Travel Grants – TBA, Due next semester

** Keep an eye out for opportunities within the academic departments and specific professors!

Write on IDRC Perspectives!

I should have mentioned this in the previous message.  For those interested in contributing to the blog, please send us your posts.  Our e-mail address is idrc@nd.edu.  Thanks, and I look forward to your entries.

Peace,

Matt Razzano

Welcome

Hey all, 


My name is Matt Razzano, and I am the President of IDRC.  I am studying abroad in London at the moment and will be back next semester.  I hope you are all having a wonderful time at Notre Dame and enjoying everything IDRC has to offer.  This blog was started to share your views, insights, opinions, and experiences.  We hope to provide a forum for you to talk about the issues that are brought up in your groups.  So write an article or a story or post a link that others would enjoy.  We welcome all submissions, and we look forward to reading them.  Thanks.


Sincerely,


Matt Razzano 

Greetings from your advisor

Dear IDRC members,

Welcome to the new International Development Research Council blog! Combining your individual perspectives and the insights from your regional group meetings into a single platform should make for some fascinating and informative reading in the next months. For better or worse, world events keep providing us more and more fodder for conversation. With your input, this blog can serve to extend, enlighten, and deepen the discussion, especially on the issues of poverty alleviation and economic development, which form the core of the IDRC's mission.

I would like to get the ball rolling by recommending a website that I have found transfixing since I saw it early this week, the Economist's Global Government Debt Clock: http://www.economist.com/content/global_debt_clock

The countries highlighted in Red make the IMF and World Bank's list of Highly Indebted Poor Countries (see World Bank HIPC Initiative) look like paragons of fiscal responsibility. Japan's debt to gdp ratio is approaching 200% and both Greece and Turkey are well over 100%. Germany has reached more that 75%. These numbers led me to speculate on the internal thoughts of the financial ministers of the LDCs (lesser developed countries) as they are harangued by World Bank and IMF officials to lower government spending and government debt. Are they thinking "There but for the grace of God, go I" or "Do as I say, and not as I do".

I look forward to reading all of your future posts, and I hope to meet many of you on Monday night (Oct 11, 8:00 pm in 131 DeBartolo).

Best,

Professor Guisinger