The Integration Lab at the University of Notre Dame鈥檚 is sending teams of Master of Global Affairs students to 13 countries this summer to research and help address a range of pressing global challenges.
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By partnering with high-impact global organizations, the (i-Lab) enables student teams to co-design international research projects with seasoned professionals. Each project aims to create innovative solutions to complex issues related to migration, climate change, educational inequality or access to health care.
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The students鈥� international travel comes at the conclusion of their first year of intensive coursework in the program.
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Global partner representatives traveled to Notre Dame during the spring semester to engage with student teams and advance project strategies.
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鈥淭he opportunity for the i-Lab teams to meet in person with a representative from their organization before traveling to the field was invaluable,鈥� said co-director of the i-Lab.
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The partner visit also generated enthusiasm among master鈥檚 students, said i-Lab co-director
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鈥淭here are few graduate programs we know that provide the opportunity to meet with their partners in this extended fashion before a field placement,鈥� Reifenberg said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 well worth the investment."
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Kwame Owino, chief executive officer at the Institute of Economic Affairs, a policy think tank in Nairobi, Kenya, was among the global partners who traveled to Notre Dame.
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鈥淢y first impression was that we鈥檒l be working with a group that鈥檚 very diverse, both in terms of countries and professional backgrounds,鈥� Owino said. 鈥淢y visit has confirmed that the Keough 91视频 is deliberate about understanding global affairs from a multidisciplinary perspective. The students ask interesting questions and are able to draw from many disciplines in sharing their ideas.鈥�
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One of seven research teams formed by the Keough 91视频 of Global Affairs' Integration Lab, these Notre Dame master of global affairs students and staff from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Office of Migration and Refugee Services are collaborating on a project focused on migration.
After returning to Notre Dame to analyze and their findings during their second year of study, students present final recommendations to their organizational partner. Students will be sharing their experiences through听.
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The Keough 91视频鈥檚 i-Lab trains students in integrated mindsets and professional skillsets in order to prepare them to address complex challenges in today鈥檚 global employment landscape.
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In addition to students participating in the i-Lab, other master of global affairs students who have chosen the program鈥檚 concentration are participating in individual internships with peace and justice-oriented organizations in Colombia, Kenya, and U.S. cities including Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
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The Keough 91视频 of Global Affairs welcomed its inaugural master global affairs class 鈥� 38 students from 22 countries 鈥� in August 2017. Founded in 2014, the Keough 91视频 is Notre Dame鈥檚 first new school in nearly a century.
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Locations, projects and partner organizations for the i-Lab students include:
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Bangladesh
Project: Reduce the vulnerability of women to climate change by enhancing the effectiveness of translating research into policy.
Partner:
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Chile
Project: Transform opportunities for teachers to enhance school performance, build community and foster continual school-wide innovation and learning.
Partner:
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Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania
Project: Collaborate with national ministries of health to catalyze and mobilize worldwide improved access to quality surgical care.
Partner:
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Ghana, India, Malawi
Project: Adapt global supply chains to accelerate transformation toward a more sustainable, equitable food system.
Partner:
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Kenya
Project: Develop scenarios for the future of Kenya鈥檚 devolution 鈥� transferring power to local levels 鈥� that promote democratic participation, equitable distribution of resources and peaceful conflict resolution.
Partner:
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U.S.-Mexico border, Greece, Germany
Project: Explore and document best practices to respect the human rights of migrants as they navigate complex immigration enforcement systems.
Partner:
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Philippines
Project: Enhance the resilience of local housing markets essential to delivering safe and dignified shelter
Partner: Habitat for Humanity International 鈥�
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Contact: Tracy Kijewski-Correa, tkijewsk@nd.edu; Steve Reifenberg, sreifenb@nd.edu