Mahima Sharda /
International Crisis Group /
New York City, USA /
With New York City roaring back to life, the weather getting warmer, and the days getting longer, it’s been a great month. Likewise, my first month at the International Crisis Group has been nothing but rewarding, thought-provoking, and a source of growth for me. The internship so far has given me the opportunity to meet new people, build on my previous professional experience, apply what I have learned during the academic portion of the Gallatin Global Fellowship in Human Rights, and learn practical new skills that will help me with my long-term career ambitions.
The team I have worked with has been kind and supportive. I have had the opportunity to connect with a number of individuals located around the world, both right here in New York as well as from Belgium to Kenya. With this geographical diversity comes divergent perspectives, backgrounds, and approaches to human rights work. I have found this to be particularly interesting; while all of my colleagues share a passion for human rights, they each have unique ideas about what human rights means and how to achieve it.
My first project was to draft a multi-page bulletin on behalf of the Group’s president discussing some of the past month’s events centering on conflict. They include the skirmish between Israel and Palestine, the United States pulling its troops out of Afghanistan, and protests in Colombia. The assignment required that I conduct an extensive literature review to familiarize myself with the issues as well as Crisis Group’s responses to them. I learned the diverse array of mediums that the think tank uses to add value for policymakers and inform them. I realized the minute level of detail required in real-world human rights work, given that each word is nuanced. Any word could be interpreted in many ways and spark controversy. I also learned drafting skills in a formalized professional environment.
Secondly, I worked with a staff member to edit and fact check information on a new program that will provide fellowships to underprivileged students in Africa. It was interesting to see how a program is deployed from inception to launch, along with the many obstacles that can rise throughout. There too, I found myself considering the human rights implications in the field of education. A variety of subjects including equity, fairness, gender, race, and monetary constraints were debated, and the curriculum was a particular point of contention. My time at Gallatin allowed me to structure my thoughts in a coherent way during this conversation and helped me consider the many sides using a systematic methodology.
The internship also has instilled in me a strong work ethic, one which is adapted to today’s increasingly globalized world. I work alongside people from different countries with a broad range of communication styles and have to constantly convert meetings’ time zones to ensure I am punctual. Looking ahead, I cannot wait for some of my upcoming projects, which include a variety of events featuring speakers from around the world, and an examination of the Group’s methodologies for evaluating success.