Compared to the US, where consideration for the impact our individual and collective behaviors can have on climate change remains a relatively fringe concept, Denmark seems to have gone all in on rousing its citizens to action.
Category: Notes from the Field
The United Arab Emirates: Global Leader in Sustainable Social Development
Student reflections on the January 2018 Global Field Intensive on Gender and Sustainable Development in the Gulf Region: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the Northern Emirates
Reflections on the GFI to the Hague, Bosnia, and Serbia
A reflection on the Summer 2017 GFI to the Hague, Bosnia, and Serbia
Balancing Development and Climate Change Action
The Chinese maxim of “Grow first, clean up later” has underlined the price of development that the people and environment have paid in recent years.
1st Indonesia Energy Conference (IEC) 2017 Powering Indonesia’s Economy – Reshaping the Energy Sector
MSGA Student Satya Hangga Yudha Widya Putra shares his experience researching Indonesia’s energy sector and participating in the first Indonesia Energy Conference
Off the Beaten Path: A Visit to Iran (Slideshow)
By Andy Laub
Breathtaking, life changing and stunning are just some words I could use to describe my time in Iran this past summer. I always start off telling people about my trip by showing people the picture with me and the four children, taken in the nomadic village deep in the mountains. When most people see that picture they say “we now understand why you went to Iran…the people.” Friends and family gave me a funny look when I told them I was going to Iran, but I saw a very different Iran than is often portrayed in the news. I didn’t go for political or professionals reasons, just as a tourist as part of an organized group and that let me see Iran through a different lens and a get a chance to interact with Iran’s people.
I had heard about how hospitable and strong in character the Iranian people were and it was such a pleasure to experience it firsthand, from people stopping me to say a quick “salem” on the street, to children inviting me to play soccer or gather flowers and being hosted by Iranian families for some very tasty Persian cuisine. People were excited to see an American and were grateful I gave Iran the time day to visit and hoped I would inspire others to do the same.
Iran has a lot to offer: beyond its people, it is a beautiful country, from the bustling streets of Tehran with subways and buses to the beautiful mountainous desert countryside and scenic river of Esfahan, not to mention the incredible history of ancient Persia from the ruins, to the holy shrines, Mosques and Palaces of the former Shah’s. I hope this will give you a little taste of what a wonderful experience I had in Iran.
Andy Laub is entering his second semester in the MSGA program, concentrating on International Relations/Global Futures. Before starting his Masters, Andy spent two and a half years as a Staff Assistant to Congressman Eliot Engel (NY-16) handling constituent affairs out of his Westchester district office. Andy has a long history in democratic party politics having served as a democratic party district leader, town chairman and Membership Director of the College Democrats of America, he holds a BA in Political Science from Fordham University. Andy also currently serves as the Membership Director for Young Professionals in Foreign Policy.