Intern Spotlight: Institute for Developing Nations

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June 27: Emory MDP (’17) student Rachel Lastinger served as a Graduate Assistant for the Institute for Developing Nations (IDN) during her two years with MDP. The Institute for Developing Nations aims to reshape the role of higher education in international development through research and action. In September of 2016, IDN began a campaign entitled, “Emory 21 Days of Peace” which sought to educate, inspire, and empower students working for peace both in their local and global communities in partnership with US Institute of Peace’s Peace Day Challenge: As a Graduate Assistant for IDN, I was able to work on the 2017 Emory 21 Days of Peace campaign as we sought to expand upon the initial 2016 campaign. I assisted in leading a student and staff planning committee to design the 2017 agenda and events in a way that built collaboration across campus and involved the Atlanta community. I also worked as a lead to plan one of the events for the campaign. IDN allowed me to be very involved in the entire process. Through this, I was a part of building awareness on campus for both local and global challenges and how students can begin taking action towards peace. IDN gave me the opportunity to experience how academics can play a role in pursuing peace and development as wells as the importance of strong collaborations. I was fortunate to learn from the amazing women who served as my supervisors and mentors and how they pursued peace through their careers. A highlight of my time with IDN was getting to meet President Carter during my first year!


Top Photo: Rachel Lastinger with President Jimmy Carter