Category: Elliott 360

The IIEP Executive Circle met for the first time on March 10 via Zoom to discuss the global challenges of our times. Elliott’s newest leadership circle brings vast experience and broad perspective to questions that keep scholars at GW Elliott’s Institute for International Economic Policy awake at night.

“These conversations will shape our research and global public programs,” Professor Jay Shambaugh, one of IIEP’s two co-directors, said. Further, says co-director Professor James Foster, “The Executive Circle makes IIEP a more potent force for impact in the world.”

Circle members will advise IIEP’s directors, develop innovative international public programs, support Elliott graduate fellowships, and mentor students headed for careers in finance, trade, and economic development. 

The circle capitalizes on Elliott’s international alumni network. Accordingly, the launch event featured thought leaders from around the world. At 5 p.m. East Coast time, the inaugural event began, and screens lit up with Elliott alumni and supporters from points across the map, with members joining from Hong Kong to London and from New York City to Seattle.

No one was shy, as circle members discussed top global priorities, from cybersecurity to the global workforce. The Executive Circle’s co-chairs noted that IIEP faculty are laser focused on these and other worldwide concerns.

According to Deborah Lehr (MA ’89) the institute’s work “has the power to change attitudes, build alliances, and achieve equitable, sustainable economic growth.” Similarly, Frank Wong (BA ’79) points to IIEP’s “emphasis on connecting the dots and creating new possibilities.”

The co-chairs and other executives brought wisdom from professions as diverse as their locales to the formal part of the program, a close look at the path forward for the United States in renewing relationships with major powers in Asia. While opinions varied, a central theme emerged: the relationship between China and the U.S. is one of the biggest geopolitical challenges of this century.

The merger of IIEP’s faculty brain trust with that of the IIEP Executive Circle adds intellectual firepower to the quest for new approaches to this and other global pressures. “The IIEP Executive Circle provides substantive insights, a network for students, and institutional support,” Dr. Ayres said. “And the members bring an array of perspectives on different slices of international economic issues.”

No one living in Myanmar today will ever forget February 1, 2021. That was the day the military staged a coup to remove the hugely popular National League of Democracy from office. What made this so shocking was the fact that the military already had constitutionally-protected positions in the executive and legislative branches. However, the Commander-in-Chief had tired of sharing governance with civilian politicians who hoped to reduce the military’s role in politics.

The public was outraged. They had risked covid exposure to vote in the November 2020 elections and had given the National League for Democracy a second landslide victory.  Ever since February 1st, citizens have taken to the streets to protest the coup in ever more inventive ways, while a large proportion of civil servants have walked off the job in an effort to shut down the government.  People are boycotting products from military-owned companies and are urging the international community to cut business and financial ties with military-run entities. While this may also cause economic pain for civilians, they feel such measures are necessary in the short term to undermine military rule.

As someone who has spent the last 25 years as both a scholar and development practitioner focused on Myanmar, I have been following recent events with mixed emotions. The way the movement has brought people together across different ethnicities, classes, and gender identities has been breathtaking. They have used art, music, fashion, and humor to make their demonstrations a celebration of who they are and what they stand for. Yet, the military has a long history of crushing its opponents through brutal means, and the number of people detained, injured, and killed is rising day by day.

I am currently completing a book on the last decade of political, economic and social reforms in Myanmar. After nearly 50 years of military rule, the 2010s were a period in which elected politicians made genuine efforts to meet their needs. Every one of the over 100 interviews I did with Myanmar citizens in recent years was memorable as people reflected on the opportunities that had opened up. However, one interview I think of often was with an elected parliamentarian who said villagers in his constituency were incredulous when the government began providing money for local-determined development initiatives. In the past, they had only experienced an extractive and punitive government, focused on maintaining its power rather than enhancing the well-being of citizens. 

Similarly, before 2010, the regime had purposely restricted the supply of Sim cards to their inner circle so that the rest of the population could not use mobile phones to organize against military rule. In the 2010s, the civilian government liberalized telecommunications and people took to social media droves. As in other countries, this had its positives and negatives. The military and ultranationalists aligned with them used Facebook to spread hate speech and whip up fear of non-Buddhists and groups they labelled as non-citizens. Still, widespread connectivity enabled businesses to flourish and people to connect in ways that had previously been impossible. 

Myanmar’s journey has been particularly difficult. Yet development, whether at the local, national, or global level, is inevitably full of challenges, both anticipated and unanticipated. Over the long term, with vision, persistence, and partnership, obstacles can be overcome and aspirations realized. I hope that soon Myanmar will be back on track and that peace, inclusive governance, and equitable development lie ahead.

—Dr. Christina Fink is a professor of practice of international affairs in the Elliott School’s International Development Studies M.A. program.

Ana Paula Velasco, an Elliott School senior majoring in international affairs with a concentration in conflict resolution, had a front seat to history recently as one of only 37 volunteers assisting at the 59th presidential inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

How did you end up being one of only 37 volunteers at the presidential inauguration?

During the last leg of the Biden for President campaign, I was offered the opportunity to work on Dr. Jill Biden’s team as a communications intern. From August to November, I worked with the communications team to push out Dr. Biden’s social media messaging outreach and helped draft some of her speeches. It’s still crazy to me to think that I was able to play a role in the election’s outcome, even if it was on a small scale. After the campaign was over, a mentor of mine whom I had worked with on the campaign reached out and asked if I would be in DC for the inauguration and would I be interested in volunteering? I was admittedly nervous due to the January 6th terrorist attack on the Capitol, but I knew it was a moment I would be able to tell my kids about one day, so I told her yes! And it just went from there. 

What were you responsible for as a volunteer?

We were all given responsibilities the day of the event. I and another volunteer were put in charge of helping out the Presidential Inaugural Committee on the ground and were located at the corner of Hamilton and 15th. It was a very windy day as well, so we also assisted staff helping to set up barriers for the perimeter. 

What were some of the most memorable moments from the inauguration?

The most memorable moment for me was having a quick moment with Dr. Biden. The entire procession, from the marching bands to the motorcades, traveled down to 15th where I and my partner were stationed. As the presidential motorcade drove by, Dr. Biden happened to be facing my side of the street. Everyone else present was either security or media, so I was actually the only one waving at the time. I had no idea she would make eye contact with me and wave back! During the campaign itself, I was never able to meet Dr. Biden because of COVID protocols and the hectic nature of the campaign, so that moment really felt full circle for me. Bonus — MSNBC caught the moment live on TV!

Did you have any starstruck moments seeing some of the big names in attendance?

It all felt like a dream. It really wasn’t until after the day was over that I reflected on the experience and what an historic opportunity it was. There was a moment where Vice President Harris’ motorcade stopped in front of us for about eight minutes and I couldn’t believe she was there. Truly such a great day and one I will never forget!

“‘Gender issues are not always visible,’ said Anita Bhatia, Deputy Executive Director at UN Women, speaking at the inaugural event introducing International Women of Elliott (I/WE), a dynamic new leadership group. More than 115 enthusiastic members of the extended Elliott community gathered virtually to hear Ambassador Bhatia speak and to participate in a lively discussion, moderated by Elliott alumna Diana Henriques, a prize-winning journalist and author…”

Read more in the GW Hatchet