Tag Archives: Summer Abroad

Chayes Fellow Seth Packrone ’15, on working with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Disability Section, New York

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“While I am not in some faraway, exotic land, working at UNICEF this summer in New York City has been quite the experience. It has been incredible thus far to see how much research and planning goes into everything they do here. Considering that UNICEF has recently shifted to a focus on inclusion in all of its programs, it is a very exciting time to be working with the Disability Section. Soon after I arrived, UNICEF released its State of the World’s Children report, which focused on issues around children with disabilities. Along with this release, our Section has been getting more attention and hopefully having an impact on the rest of UNICEF’s work. One of my major projects was to develop a governance structure for the expanding Global Partnership on Children with Disabilities. In this effort, I have had to research other global partnerships and think about how large international organizations can work together efficiently, effectively, and perhaps most importantly, inclusively.

This position has given me access to both unique opportunities and leaders in the field. For example, I had the opportunity to review the High Level Meeting’s Outcome document for the High Level Meeting on Disability as the outcomes relate to disability and inclusion and attend the negotiations among state parties. I also had the opportunity to attend a two day conference to develop indicators for measuring disability around the world. It was a special experience to be sitting around the table with so many people whose work I have followed up to this point. Last, but definitely not least, working with the Disability Section here has probably been the best part. I have learned so much from my colleagues in my discussions with them about global issues relating to disability. Now I am working on a project relating to global nutrition programs for children with disabilities. The plan is for me to write up case studies of the more successful programs.”

Seth is one of 23 HLS students working this summer in 18 countries under the auspices of the Chayes International Public Service Fellowship. Please visit our Chayes Fellowship page to learn more!

Chayes Fellow Sarah Weiner ’15, on working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, United Kingdom

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“My project at work involved updating the EBRD’s assessment of public procurement laws in its countries of operation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The first region-wide assessment was conducted in 2010, and it was interesting to see how an international organization engages in policy dialogues with governments to achieve legal reform. A part of my job involved communicating with government officials to clarify the questions of the assessment and ensure that the Bank’s data is accurate. In just one of my weeks at EBRD, I spoke with people from 20 different countries—a feat I have never come close to accomplishing on a former job!

One of my favorite parts of working at EBRD was being invited to attend various meetings held by the Legal Transition Team and the wider Office of the General Counsel. These meetings provided me with the opportunity to witness interesting debates about EBRD’s internal policies and to see how the Bank deals with the challenges and complexities inherent in operating a multilateral development bank.

Outside of work, I tried to take full advantage of everything London has to offer! I ate delicious food, visited world-class museums, attended great musicals, and took a vacation to Scotland to hike in some its breathtaking scenery. Overall, I had an amazing experience this summer, and I am truly grateful for the support from the Chayes program to make it happen.”

Sarah is one of 23 HLS students working this summer in 18 countries under the auspices of the Chayes International Public Service Fellowship. Please visit our Chayes Fellowship page to learn more!

Chayes Fellow Catherine Cooper ’14, on working with the Public International Law & Policy Group, Washington, DC

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“I am working on PILPG’s Syria project, which involves advising clients from the Syrian opposition and civil society on matters related primarily to the possible upcoming peace negotiations, but also other legal issues such as new constitutional frameworks and transitional government institutions. Thus far, I have drafted memos on fascinating topics such as power sharing arrangements in comparative state practice and opportunities to facilitate the return of refugees and IDPs in peace agreements.

I have also enjoyed PILPG’s excellent professional development program, which enables summer associates to take advantage of all the opportunities in DC to network with those working in public international law. The attorneys at PILPG understand how difficult it can be to get a first job in the field of public international law, so they have been very helpful by putting me in touch with contacts in government agencies, law firms, and NGOs. PILPG also encourages the summer associates to attend hearings on the Hill or panels at DC think tanks on issues that are relevant to our clients.

Overall, I have had a really amazing experience at PILPG. I have enjoyed my work so much that I am currently discussing fellowship options with PILPG for after graduation. I plan to strongly encourage other HLS students to apply for PILPG’s summer associate program when I return to Cambridge in the fall.”

Catherine is one of 23 HLS students working this summer in 18 countries under the auspices of the Chayes International Public Service Fellowship. Please visit our Chayes Fellowship page to learn more!

Chayes Fellow Lara Berlin, HLS/Fletcher School Concurrent Degree Candidate, on working with Inter Mediate, United Kingdom

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“My time in London has been really wonderful. I’m living in King’s Cross with mostly French students (which is a cultural experience I hadn’t anticipated in London!). My internship has been a terrific learning experience. I’ve been working on projects ranging from country specific issues (legal and historical) to more comparative work on peace processes around the world. I’ve gotten to be involved on a number of the different projects that Inter Mediate is working on, so I feel that I’ve gained perspective on many different dimensions of their work. Wonderfully, because it’s a small team, they have been amazingly inclusive of me. I also just got back from IM’s “Away Day,” in which I got to participate in all of the strategic level conversations about the strengths and weaknesses of the organization as it stands, and where it intends to go. To be invited to participate in those senior conversations as an intern speaks to the value the organization places on everyone’s opinion and investment in the mission.

Outside of work, I’ve gotten the chance to explore the city a bit, visit museums and palaces, and learn about some British quirks. I’ve done some hiking on the coast and spent a weekend on the beach in Brighton. I look forward to going to Scotland, too. So, it’s been a rewarding experience outside of work, as well.”

Lara is one of 23 HLS students working this summer in 18 countries under the auspices of the Chayes International Public Service Fellowship. Please visit our Chayes Fellowship page to learn more!

 

Chayes Fellow Iram Huq ’15, on working with the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia

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“There is so much interesting work to be done here that it is impossible to sample all of it without staying for a longer period of time. There are many challenges to a successful prosecution of senior Khmer Rouge leaders, and the legal team does an amazing job of leaping over the many hurdles between them and their objectives.

I had a great introduction to the Court in my first week, when I spent my time attending hearings and read the constitutive documents of this hybrid tribunal.. I was shocked by the raw and brutal stories narrated by victims of the Khmer Rouge. Someone had warned me that Cambodia is a depressing place, and I really do not want to perpetuate that belief. This country is beautiful, joyful, resurgent, and proud. The very fact that it has the tenacity to pursue a long and expensive prosecution of its former leaders is evidence of how pragmatic and hopeful its citizens are. By sharing their experiences, Cambodians have designed a mutual self-help system that allows them to restore their faith in humanity. Nothing is more optimistic than that.

Since that first exposure to the context of the trials, I’ve spent a lot of time working on little parts of the prosecution process. I work for one of the “investigating” judges. The judge I am interning under has an entire team of investigators and analysts working for him to sort and collect evidence. I’m on the legal team, and my primary job is to fit pieces of evidence it into set paradigms of criminality (war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, violations of the Cambodian Penal Code etc.)

The most interesting part of this experience (apart from reading authentic documents dating back to 1975) is the weekly meeting that Judge Harmon holds with his legal, analytical, and investigating teams. During these meetings, everyone explains what they are working on, and I get a sense of how each task fits into the bigger scheme. At this stage, we are discussing possible theories of the case, and this will have an impact on how all the evidence is assessed and recorded.

Of course, interning at the UN was not the only reason I wanted to work in Cambodia. Indochina is one of the most interesting places on earth, and I’m very lucky that Harvard Law School and the Chayes Foundation gave me the opportunity to revisit it. This is the only country in the world that sports a ruin (the famous Hindu temple of Angkor Wat) on its flag. And yet, Cambodia is resolutely forward-looking – you can see developmental projects everywhere, even in remote villages. I am continuously surprised, excited, and engaged. For the intrepid traveler, Cambodia is heaven.”

Iram is one of 23 HLS students working this summer in 18 countries under the auspices of the Chayes International Public Service Fellowship. Please visit our Chayes Fellowship page to learn more!