School of International Service Spring 2016 Practicum Presentations Monday, April 18 Understanding and Combatting Terrorism Faculty: Dan Schneider Team 1 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace ​
4/18, 8:10 pm, ​
SIS*233 Team 1: ​
Our practicum group has worked with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) to conduct research building on CEIP scholar Sarah Chayes’ theory that acute and pervasive corruption in a country, combined with one or more separate risk factors, can often lead to security crises. We researched the in­depth relationships and links between corruption and security crises in 10 countries: Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Moldova, Pakistan, and Thailand. The purpose of our project is to provide substantial research for the development of CEIP’s Corruption and Security Initiative (CASI) web tool and ultimately to help foreign policy decision­makers, donors, and businesses to avoid involuntarily supporting corrupt networks in these countries. For each country, we identified five key points: 1) key issues and risk factors in each identified country, using a list of nine risk factors provided by CEIP; 2) key revenue streams that the kleptocratic networks in each identified country capture; 3) elements of state function that have been repurposed or hollowed out; 4) key external facilitators and network members; and, 5) whether the networks are horizontally or vertically integrated. In our research, we consulted academic journals, think tank publications, and other open source material; and interviewed country experts, government officials, investigative journalists, activists, and persons who could provide first­hand accounts on corruption within each state. Team 2 Client: ICITAP, Department of Justice ​
4/18, 9:15PM, SIS*233 Team 2: ​
With the growing threat and prevalence of terrorism in the Balkans, which is a national security interest for the US, it is essential that this region be able to effectively manage the threat. The intelligence gained from suspected terrorists is central to any counterterrorism objective. Since interviews play such a key role in the success of the investigative process, the individuals conducting the interviews should be held to the highest standards. Interviews conducted professionally and with integrity will have lasting impacts on the human rights status in the country and their reputation internationally. It is crucial that prosecutors and law enforcement officials can sufficiently adapt and manage these issues effectively. The International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) recognizes U.S has national security interests in the Balkan region, specifically Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Serbia. With the recent legislation in the Balkan region against foreign fighters, and the surge in Syrian refugees, ICITAP seeks to develop a course tailored to each of the identified countries. It will help train law enforcement officials and prosecutors in various effective interview styles. Additionally, this project Updated 4/17/2016 School of International Service Spring 2016 Practicum Presentations aims to inform ICITAP officials on various aspects and techniques of interrogation methods. The project will provide background information on the identified countries, and the legal norms they follow. It will lay the foundation for a course that ICITAP will create that will potentially have lasting impacts on the countries and the Balkan region at large. Tuesday, April 19 Cultural Diplomacy and International Exchange Understanding Faculty: Sherry Lee Mueller Team 1​
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International Student House of Washington, DC ​
4/19, 5:30pm, SIS IC Lounge Team 1:​
Our practicum team is consulting with the International Student House of Washington, DC, a nonprofit organization that promotes intercultural dialogue and friendships and fosters global citizenship. ISH provides accommodations and interactive programs for approximately 100 residents (mostly graduate students at DC universities) from the United States and from around the world. Through a residential scholarship initiative that provides partial funding to a limited number of residents each year based on need, ISH­DC aims to provide those who would not be able to afford to live in the House with the opportunity to take advantage of the unique environment and programs ISH­DC offers. However, there is a lack of research on the implementation and diverse sources of funding for scholarships of this nature. The project team will provide ISH­DC with research and analysis to strengthen the scholarship fund, with a specific focus on financing, determination of financial need, and clarification of the scholarship mission and processes. The project deliverables will be a final report summarizing the major findings as well as recommendations for strengthening the scholarship program and an oral presentation to the ISH­DC Board of Directors. Team 2 ​
Fulbright Association ​
4/19, 5:30pm, SIS IC Lounge Team 2 ​
This practicum team worked with the Fulbright Association, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization representing more than 100,000 U.S. alumni of the Fulbright Program. The Fulbright Association’s mission is to “build upon and enhance the Fulbright international exchange experience by promoting scholarship, collaborative engagement and cultural diplomacy” throughout the global alumni community. The team also worked in collaboration with the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, which connected the team to some of its members for personal interviews and also distributed a survey th​
designed by the practicum team. As the Fulbright Program marks its 70​
year of academic Updated 4/17/2016 School of International Service Spring 2016 Practicum Presentations exchanges in 2016, funding has remained flat since 2010. The main goal of the project is to evaluate current advocacy techniques and recommend ways to strengthen these efforts to secure increased funding for the Program. The team conducted in person and phone interviews with former Members of Congress to assess their awareness and understanding of government­funded international exchange programs such the Fulbright. An online survey was created and distributed in order to reach more former Members. The key objectives for the project include: 1) gather input from former Members of Congress regarding attitudes on the Hill about international exchange; 2) help the Fulbright Association strengthen its advocacy activities; and 3) provide the Fulbright Association with resources (including a “talking points” document, annotated bibliography, and a final report with recommendations) that will aid in future advocacy efforts. Saturday, April 23 Issues of Multinational Enterprises Faculty:​
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Catherine Bocskor Team 1: Department of State​
4/23, 11:00, SIS 348 Team 2: Yummber ​
4/23, 11:30, SIS 348 Team 2:​
Our practicum group is consulting with Yummber, a Hungarian shared economy company that connects diners and home cooks in a home dining experience. Researching regulatory issues in the United States that may impact Yummber’s proposed expansion we are putting together a presentation and report that highlights best practices and potential risks within the food service sector. In particular our report includes an overview of shared economy issues, competitor benchmarking, and S.W.O.T. analysis, as well as market and legal research, that Yummber may utilize as it prepares to engage in soliciting angel investors. Sunday, April 24 Issues in NGO Leadership and Management Faculty: Chic Dambach Team 1 International Peace and Security Institute ​
4/24, 3pm, SIS 120 Updated 4/17/2016 School of International Service Spring 2016 Practicum Presentations Team 1:​
Our practicum group is consulting with the International Peace and Security Institute in Washington, D.C., an organization that seeks to empower the next generation of peacemakers through education by developing comprehensive training programs, scholarly research and promoting public awareness of peace and security issues. We are working to develop a user­friendly and systematic Standard Operating Procedure for IPSI’s two largest annual events – the symposia in The Hague and Bologna. These SOPs are intended to build previously­lacking institutional memory within the organization and to bring to light potential efficiency gaps and ways the mediate them. Our final deliverable to the client will be set of guidelines regarding budgeting, pre­planning, management and follow­up to the symposia, finance tracking mechanisms and a collection of template documents for easy reference. Team 2 International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (ICRD) ​
4/24, 3pm, SIS 120 Team 2: ​
As part of American University’s Issues in Nonprofit Management practicum, we have teamed up with the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (ICRD) to assist them in their efforts towards interfaith diplomacy. Their main concerns were strengthening their financial position for the future and designing a fundraising and development plan that would help the organization withstand rapid changes in the political economy of the places they operate around the world. After a period of collaboration with ICRD leadership we devised a plan involving donor engagement and retention, the cultivation of new interfaith stakeholders, and delivering value to those stakeholders through having a website that serves as an information platform for those seeking to learn about the range of issues ICRD addresses: countering violent extremism, interfaith diplomacy, faith­based reconciliation, peacebuilding, identity­based conflict, promotion of tolerant and non­violent religious language and teachings. Team 3 Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) ​
4/24, 3pm, SIS 120 Team 3 ​
Our practicum team consulted for the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), a small, non­partisan think tank that develops metrics to analyze peace and quantify its economic value. IEP does so by developing global and national peace indices, calculating the economic cost of violence, analyzing country level risk, and understanding positive peace. The Global Peace Index (GPI) is the cornerstone of IEP’s research and attempts to shift the conversation around peace from an idealistic, abstract concept to a concrete representation of human well­being. As part of its efforts to expand the global impact of its research, IEP launched the Global Peace Index Ambassador (GPIA) Program. Our main practicum objective was to evaluate the GPIA Program to determine its overall Updated 4/17/2016 School of International Service Spring 2016 Practicum Presentations effectiveness and inform IEP’s future scale­up efforts of the program. We designed a quantitative survey instrument that interrogated the effectiveness, usefulness, and appropriateness of the webinar content and how participants intended to use the knowledge they gained from the webinar. We implemented the evaluation, analyzed the results, and provided recommendations for how IEP can improve and scale up the program. Our second objective was to provide recommendations for resource development strategies. Monday, April 25 U.S. Policy Towards Egypt: Understanding the Need to Balance Divergent Interests Faculty: Greg Aftandilian Team 1: ​
4/25, 14:30pm, MGC*245 Our practicum has spent the semester consulting with the Office of Egyptian Affairs at the State Department to critically asses the current relationship between the United States and Egypt. After discussing the current state of the relationship with our client and with various interested parties and organizations throughout Washington, we have crafted a policy paper recommending new ideas that are divided into three areas: political, economic, and strategic. Within each area, we strive to balance the U.S. desire to maintain a strong and stable ally in the region with its need to acknowledge the corruption and human rights abuses that are realities in the current Egyptian government. The result of our work is a series of policy recommendations that, if implemented, will make positive steps toward improving the bilateral relationship and making it more beneficial to both countries. Monday, April 25 Corruption and Governance Faculty: Dan Schneider Team 1 Transparency International­USA ​
4/25, 5:30PM, Ward 305 Team 1 ​
Transparency International­USA (TI­USA) is leading the fight against corruption in the United States and around the world. Based on TI­USA’s research, public Updated 4/17/2016 School of International Service Spring 2016 Practicum Presentations procurement is a government activity that is vulnerable to corruption. In an effort to increase transparency and reduce opportunities for corruption in public procurement, many U.S. states have transitioned to electronic procurement (e­procurement) systems. TI­USA asked our team to assess the transparency of the e­procurement websites of nine U.S. states—Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia. Based on a 38­question survey, our three deliverables were: 1) completed surveys about the transparency of e­procurement websites for each of the nine states; 2) a comprehensive scoring criteria to compare levels of transparency; 3) a report analyzing the main findings, best practices, and recommendations for improving transparency in e­procurement websites. Team 2 The World Bank Group ​
4/25, 7PM, Ward 305 Team 2​
The purpose of our project is to explore and document the link between organized crime and corruption. To accomplish this task, our research team has selected 7 case studies that clearly demonstrate the presence of a link. Our final report will include specific cases from Argentina, Bulgaria, Honduras, Iraq, Jamaica, Mexico, and Paraguay. It will also consist of a cross­country analysis which will cite commonalities in the 7 cases as well as a section for suggested further research. The goal of this project is not to draw wide inferences about the relationship between corruption and organized crime—rather, it is to demonstrate that a link exists and should be explored in greater detail. Our project will demonstrate the necessity for a robust analysis grounded in local contexts. Transformation, Peacebuilding and Development Faculty: Hrach Gregorian Team 1 RESOLVE ​
4/25, 18:30pm, Ward 305 Team 1:​
In partnership with RESOLVE in Washington, D.C. – an organization specializing in “public policy dispute resolution” –and under the guidance of three experts from the World Economic Forum, our task was to analyze and produce a supply chain analysis for various conflict minerals. In agreement with the client, we focused our research on three minerals: tantalum, gold and diamonds. Expected deliverables include matrices that map the supply chain of the minerals in various mineral­exporting countries, and corresponding narrative reports describing their movement from extraction to retail. Our report also highlights the gaps in knowledge and potential pressure points along the Updated 4/17/2016 School of International Service Spring 2016 Practicum Presentations supply chains. Our final work reviewed Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana and Peru for gold; the Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Sierra Leone for diamonds; and Colombia and the DRC for tantalum. Team 2 Partners Global ​
4/25, 18:00pm, Ward 305 Team 2 ​
Partners Global has developed a “Pathways to Sustainable Mediation” training that will be piloted in May 2016. While the training has been developed, Partners Global is looking to supplement the in­person training with a resource library of additional materials and examples of best practices for mediation trainers to access online. Additionally, Partners Global is interested in using these online resources as the first step towards creating a virtual training platform to remove the limitations of travel from attendees. Our group conducted independent research and interviews to identify, collect, and compile the electronic resources and training materials. While most of the research has been conducted in Washington, DC, we also traveled to Budapest, Hungary, to interview mediation practitioners. The project deliverables include the creation of an online Drop Box that Partners Global will ultimately have exclusive control over. Training materials, including caselets, fact sheets, best practice primers, and powerpoint presentations, will be made accessible to Partners Global via the Drop Box for use at mediator trainings. Team 3 Open Society Initiative for West Africa ​
4/25, 19:30pm, Ward 305 Team 3 ​
Our practicum group is working with Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), an organization based in Dakar, Senegal, working to promote more open, tolerant, and democratic societies. OSIWA operates in ten countries in West Africa across three thematic pillars: political governance, economic governance; law, justice, and human rights. We will be analyzing OSIWA and other like­minded organizations engagement with youth to inform OSIWA’s (2017­2010) youth programming strategy. Our analysis is informed by: universal and regional political, social, and economic issues that youth face in West Africa; and emerging collective action and agency emerging in youth movements. Team 4 ​
4/24, 20:00pm, Ward 305 Team 4 ​
We are working with a group of individuals who have been affected by a range of issues from gun violence, incarceration, and poverty who want to affect change in their communities by mentoring youth. To effectively understand the needs of the community, we conducted a focus group for a needs assessment and have adopted a participatory approach throughout our project. We are doing this by using a train the trainer model, offering workshops on areas of need that they identified; this included Updated 4/17/2016 School of International Service Spring 2016 Practicum Presentations conflict resolution and workforce development. Our final deliverable will be a living manual that includes curriculum for future trainings. Our objectives were to 1) identify areas of training and 2) to compile it into a manual that they can use for future trainings and modify so that it can remain relevant to their communities. Tuesday, April 26 Post­Kyoto Climate Governance: Making Real the Paris Deal Faculty: ​
Sikina Jinnah Team 1 ​
4/26, 11:30am, SIS 300 Team 1: ​
In December of 2015, 196 national governments joined together in Paris at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to establish a universal pact to tackle climate change. The Paris Agreement sets the world on a path toward a more sustainable, low­carbon, resilient, and equitable model of economic development. In the run­up to COP21 in Paris, numerous international institutions and organizations worked together to engage the broader community of subnational governments and non­state actors (non­Party stakeholders) in these efforts to tackle climate change. The endeavor elevated the level of interaction between non­Party stakeholders and the UNFCCC, catalyzed climate action by subnational governments and non­state actors, and created a strong sense of solidarity and momentum that was needed to secure an agreement in Paris. Post­Paris Climate Governance: Catalyzing Climate Action by Non­Party Stakeholders examines these efforts in order to identify ways to enhance the climate action agenda in the post­Paris era. First, the report explores and analyzes the vast landscape of climate­relevant international cooperative initiatives and the climate action commitments made by non­Party stakeholders in the run up to Paris. Second, the report examines the existing platforms and mechanisms for UNFCCC­non­Party stakeholder engagement, and evaluates the UNFCCC’s pre­Paris efforts to catalyze climate action by non­Party stakeholders. Third, the report examines the various provisions of the Paris Agreement that are relevant to non­Party stakeholders, assesses the role of the two high­level climate champions outlined in the agreement, and examines what is needed to carry the climate action agenda forward. Finally, the report presents a series of recommendations, aimed at UNFCCC­related institutions and bodies and the broader non­Party stakeholder community, on ways to enhance the post­Paris climate action agenda. Updated 4/17/2016 School of International Service Spring 2016 Practicum Presentations Team 2 ​
4/26, 11:30am, SIS 300 Team 2: ​
Our practicum group is consulting with World Resources Institute (WRI) in Washington, D.C., a top global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economics, and human well­being. Our practicum project focused on challenges related to the implementation of a new reporting requirement under the Paris Agreement, which was adopted in December 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Specifically, our team worked to identify types of future climate finance information that developed countries could provide in assisting developing countries. This type of forward­looking information has not been regularly provided in the past, so it is largely unknown what information developed countries could report. Such information has the potential to meaningfully improve the predictability of future climate finance flows. Our project involved the following research objectives: (1) assess what information developed countries are currently reporting and identify best practices, (2) review reporting processes in forums outside the UNFCCC to identify lessons learned, (3) analyze the budgetary processes of 24 developed countries to explore how climate change finance is allocated, and (4) synthesize findings to discuss and provide recommendations on what forward­looking climate finance is feasible for developed countries to report under the Paris Agreement. US Agricultural Policy: Domestic and International Impacts Faculty: ​
Garrett Graddy­Lovelace 4/26, 1­2pm, SIS 300 In the media and in communities throughout the country the discourse surrounding farmers markets is generally from a consumer standpoint­ rarely do we hear of the importance of these direct marketing outlets from the perspective of the farmer or rancher. Through this report we unpack the importance of the U.S. Farm Bill for producers, highlight the successes of the recent Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) and citizen support for programs that support small and medium sized producers. In particular we advocate for increased support for “socially disadvantaged” farmers who have faced systemic social and political discrimination and who continue to face this discrimination in regards to entry into direct marketing outlets. This report would not have been possible without the generous support of multiple community partners, particularly Rudy Arredondo and the National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association who inspired the initial report, Lorette Picciano—executive director of Rural Coalition—for her endless guidance, and all of the hardworking individuals who advocated for the FMFLPP over the years, especially those who took the time to speak with us about their experiences. Updated 4/17/2016 School of International Service Spring 2016 Practicum Presentations Greenpeace, Protest to Politics: Tactics for the Next Three Years Factory: Victoria Kiechel 4/26, 4pm, SIS 300 Client: Greenpeace USA More info announced soon! How the US Govt. Supported the Democratic Transition in Chile Faculty: Ambassador Sally Shelton­Colby 4/26, 16:00pm, MGC 203/205 More info announced soon! Cuba: Broadening Normalization Faculty: Fulton Armstrong 4/26, 16:30pm, MGC 203/205 The United States and Cuba: Broadening Normalization Practicum team has examined the implications of normalizing diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba – assessing the process and developments; analyzing the opportunities and obstacles ahead; and developing strategies and recommendations for anticipating and resolving challenges to the evolution of the healthy, mutually beneficial relationship that both countries seek. We have focused our research and final recommendations on four key sectors: trade and investment, foreign policy, communication and culture, and legislation and regulation. Intelligence Analysis 1 Faculty: Aki Peritz 4/26, 17:30pm, MGC 203/205 Our group is consulting for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) for an in­depth research and analysis project on African elite perspectives of Chinese investment in Cameroon, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa. Further, we compared the differences between US and Chinese interactions with these African states in the political, economic, and security realms. We sought out experts with experience in these countries, public statements made by African state elites, public records, and secondary sources such as news reports to make our assessments. Our objectives for this project were: determining Updated 4/17/2016 School of International Service Spring 2016 Practicum Presentations the nature of the Chinese and US relationships with the African states, making judgments for these future interactions, identifying the most likely outcome, and addressing the least likely, but high impact scenarios that concern the DIA. U.S. Policy Towards Egypt: Understanding the Need to Balance Divergent Interests 2 Faculty: Greg Aftandilian 4/26, 18:00pm, MGC 203/205 Our practicum has spent the semester consulting with the Office of Egyptian Affairs at the State Department to critically asses the current relationship between the United States and Egypt. After discussing the current state of the relationship with our client and with various interested parties and organizations throughout Washington, we have crafted a policy paper recommending new ideas that are divided into three areas: political, economic, and strategic. Within each area, we strive to balance the U.S. desire to maintain a strong and stable ally in the region with its need to acknowledge the corruption and human rights abuses that are realities in the current Egyptian government. The result of our work is a series of policy recommendations that, if implemented, will make positive steps toward improving the bilateral relationship and making it more beneficial to both countries. Intelligence Analysis 2 Faculty: John Deni 4/26, 17:30pm, MGC 203/205 Our Practicum team has been working with the Defense Intelligence Agency (D.I.A.) on an analysis of Lebanon. We are examining four sectors: political, economic, military, and social, in order to determine the indicators of future instability in the country. In addition, we are working to understand the destabilizing effects of the conflict in neighboring Syria on Lebanon. Through research and interviews, our team has developed our own conclusions as to the primary threats to Lebanon’s stability and recommendations on how to avert a worst case scenario in the country. In working for an audience in the intelligence community, we have concentrated on the issue from a security perspective and with a focus on the U.S. national interest. In our analyses, we aim to provide the DIA with fresh perspective and focused research that may be useful in their mission. Updated 4/17/2016