Month: October 2010

Wesleyan Alum speaks about new book: includes Africa case studies

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WESeminar: Youth at War, Youth Building Peace, Youth on the Margins

As the next generation of leaders, young people are key players in creating sustainable peace in areas torn apart by war. In conflict zones youth constitute a reservoir brimming with potential energy, ready to be channeled for good or ill. Yet, what causes some young people to return to the life of a fighter while others choose to work for a better future? Stephanie Schwartz ’08 will lead a discussion on youth’s increasing impact on modern civil conflict and how the international policy community is reacting.

Presenter: Stephanie Schwartz ’08 is a Program Specialist at the U.S. Institute of Peace and author of Youth in Post-Conflict Reconstruction: Agents of Change, a book based on her Wesleyan Senior Thesis

Hansel Lecture Hall (001), Public Affairs Center, 3 pm

DC Internships

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I don’t know much about this specific program but it may interest some of you.

ANNOUNCEMENT
*******************************************************

CAPITAL SEMESTER
January 12 – April 30, 2011
Georgetown University , Washington , DC
http://www.DCinternships.org/CS
Spring 2011 Application Deadline: November 1, 2010

Sponsored by The Fund for American Studies, the Capital Semester program combines a substantive professional experience in public policy, international affairs or economics for 25 hours a week with a challenging academic experience at Georgetown University. This fast-paced, fifteen-week residential program provides students from around the world with opportunities to gain an edge in today’s competitive job market and graduate school admissions, and experience the excitement of Washington first-hand.

SAMPLE PAST INTERNSHIP SITES

Aerospace Industries Association
American Legislative Exchange Council
Children’s Rights Council
Congressional Offices
Eastman Kodak
First Book
Foreign Embassies
Institute for World Politics
New Leaders for New Schools
Philanthropy Roundtable
U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of the Treasury
PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Internships – Competitive placements with government agencies, congressional offices, public policy groups, international affairs organizations and nonprofit organizations
Classes – 12 credit hours in political science and economics and from Georgetown University
Housing – Roommate matching and f urnished Capitol Hill apartments in the heart of D.C.
Guest Lectures – With Washington’s top policy and economics experts
Exclusive Briefings – At the World Bank, State Department, Pentagon and Federal Reserve
Leadership & Professional Development – Leadership, mentoring and career building activities
Networking – Interaction with seasoned professionals and student leaders from around the world
Scholarships – Generous scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the final application deadline of November 1. Details about the program and an online application may be found at http://www.DCinternships.org/CS. Questions may be directed to Dana Faught, Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator, at dfaught@tfas.org or 202.986.0384.
Fund For American Studies
1706 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20009

Voter Information Guides and Connecticut

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Just a quick question for those of you who have lived in Connecticut for some time: Why is there no voter information guide?

Back in California (where I used to live) the voter guide that is provided to all voters runs to almost 128 pages.  Here is their website:

Voter Information Guide November 2, 2010 | California Secretary of State.

And local elections in California also get their own guides with information on local candidates and measures.

But here I am in Connecticut, teaching political science, and I’ll admit it, I have no clue what the issues are going to be in the coming election.  There is spotty news coverage of the campaigns for Governor and Senator.  But beyond that?

So this is my point: Connecticut needs a voter guide.   If it is out there and I missed it, just let me know. Otherwise, I think it is completely irresponsible for us to have elections where voters have no coordinated way of knowing what the issues and candidates are all about. The voter guide should be mailed to every voter prior to primary elections (how else are we supposed to know when these happen?) and the general November elections.