England sent a soccer team to the World Cup; Scotland did not. England sent a Conservative government into 10 Downing Street; Scotland did not. An English Prime Minister pledged participation in the invasion and occupation of Iraq; Scotland did not.

The fact of the matter remains that Scotland is a nation. It is an ancient colony of the United Kingdom, dominated by the heavyweight England. Colonial occupation has lasted for so long that many in England have forgotten about it entirely; Scotland has not.

Our American revolution took place over the course of 13 years; theirs is pushing 303. Under the leadership of Alexander Salmond, the head of the Scottish National Party (SNP), the Scottish government is seeking to pose a question to the Scots, the Brits, and the World: Is now, at last, the time for independence?

Generally, the regions of the UK operate similarly to the states in the U.S.   Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England all participate in the British Parliament, which serves at the pleasure of the English Queen Elizabeth II.

Since before the days of the American Revolution, Scotland has suffered “unity” with her southern neighbor. The two centuries since have witnessed futile bloodshed and failed lunges toward freedom. The past century has balked at the near extinction of Scotch dialects, and the crippling domestication of the once proudly independent highlanders.

Then suddenly, everything changed. In 1997, with the forced blessing of the British government, the Scots established a parliament of their own, with powers ranging from health policy to police services. Politicians and personalities from Gordon Brown to Sean Connery came out in favor of freedom. In 2007, the independence-seeking SNP won control of this parliament.

Now an independence referendum is on its way to the Scottish polls. At long last, Scottish statehood has left the land of traditional toasts or radical rants and entered the realm of pundits and politics.

Not all Scots are behind the independence movement. Many arguments stem from a fear of leaving the status quo, leaving the Union, and losing the diplomatic umbrella of Great Britain. Some argue that Scotland will lose prized special diplomatic relationships enjoyed by the United Kingdom. Others fear the loss of key businesses wary of revolutionary politics, or the instability that could follow.

But if the status quo is hurting the Scottish economy, blocking Scots’ right to a legitimate Scottish government, and forcing Scottish troops to obey the British crown, perhaps breaking from the norm isn’t such a terrible idea.

In fact, breaking from an overweight, bureaucratic, and ultimately imperial state structure, like the U.K., would free Scotland to capitalize on a potentially dynamic economy. Independence would grant Scotland its own seat at the European table and in the international forum. A sovereign Scotland would have the power to defend herself, in her own way; Scots overwhelmingly support the eradication of nuclear weapons.

Under independence, the Scottish government will have complete control over fiscal and economic policy. The SNP hopes to attract business investment by cutting corporate taxes, a move London is unwilling to make. An independent Scotland will capitalize on huge oil and natural gas reserves in the North Sea, the largest in Europe. A smaller Scottish economy will have ample room to grow without the red tape of the unwieldy UK bureaucracy.

Independence for Scotland means complete control over the powers to tax, broadcast, educate, and negotiate – powers that are necessary for any fully functioning democracy to operate efficiently and effectively.

As a member of the EU, Scotland will have a say in the direction of the continent and be able to broker deals with countries the UK neglects. English wars will no longer cost Scottish lives, and English market practices will no longer lose Scottish jobs.

It is nearly impossible to gauge a people’s views on independence. Five polls conducted over the last two years among the Scots predict wildly different results. Scots are understandably anxious; it is not every day that a trip to the ballot box can close three centuries of occupation.

Like marching with Washington to face the King, or facing King at the march in Washington, history rests with those marching in Scotland; saying ‘no’ to a Kingdom, voting ‘yes’ to be free.

Patrick is an alumni and current student of the Elliott School of International Affairs.  Having earned his B.A. in International Affairs, he is now a graduate student in the M.A. Global Communication program.   Patrick was also a member of the inaugural Elliott School Undergraduate Scholars, for which he completed a project titled: “Winds of Change: A Study of Contemporary Nationalism and European Politics.”

By Thao Anh Tran

Last month I had the unique opportunity to represent the United States as a Youth Delegate at My Summit 2010, the official international youth summits held alongside the G-8 and G-20 Summits in Canada. Unlike previous G-8 and G-20 Summits, this year the Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, invited his G-8 and G-20 counterparts to send a delegation consisting of 7 university-level youths who have demonstrated a passion in international affairs to discuss and negotiate on the same themes as the leaders.

At the G-8 Summit, in addition to having the chance to listen to thought-provoking lectures from guest speakers on the four main themes of the Summit: terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation, food security, maternal and child health, and climate change, I also got to participate in a negotiation session with Youth Delegates from seven other countries. As an aspiring diplomat, the highlight of the G-8 Summit for me was being able to witness and participate in the intense debate during the terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation negotiation session. With an experienced negotiator serving as our moderator, all the Youth Delegates from eight different countries took turns to express our views about issues relevant to the topic. Though there were plenty of disagreements along the way, I was amazed at how respectful we were to one other and we really took the time to listen to everyone’s opinions. After extra working sessions that lasted until midnight, I was very proud of our end product: a realistic communiqué that encompassed youth ideals and included everyone’s voice. Through the negotiation process, I learned that in order to conduct successful diplomacy, it was important to always maintain respect and be willing to compromise on thorny issues. Our overall interests are better served when all participants feel that they have a stake in the process.

Though I had a great time participating in the negotiation process, the G-8 Summit was not all work! The event was so memorable for me because I got to meet and befriended extremely accomplished youths from all over the world. From our meeting with the Canadian Governor General, Michaëlle Jean, to the cruise trip on Muskoka Lake to the bus rides to Muskoka Heritage Place, I was afforded with the opportunity to network with youths who are not only actively involved within their local community, but also share my passion for international affairs.

Since the G-20 was held in Toronto immediately after the G-8, I also had the opportunity to participate in G-20 related events. I met Canadian government officials and leaders of the financial sector, where we engaged in discussions about the recent global financial crisis and the road to recovery. Additionally, I along with the other Youth Delegates part of the U.S. Delegation, were surprised with a meeting with Ambassador David Jacobson, the current U.S. Ambassador to Canada. This unannounced meeting really thrilled us all as moments before we had observed the leaders’ family photo, which included President Obama and all the other G-20 leaders. Ambassador Jacobson was kind enough to let us share our amazing experiences with him and spent a significant amount of time responding to our questions about the negotiations that took place at G-20, the Foreign Service, and his work in Canada.

Although My Summit 2010 only lasted for five days, I am very grateful to have had the honor of representing American youths at both the G-8 and G-20 Summits. While there is no guarantee that the leaders will implement any of the recommendations we made in our communiqué, I am confident that through our well-verse knowledge and undisputed passion, we asserted to these leaders that the international youth community has much to contribute to the policymaking process. As a collective group, we spoke loud and clear that we will use a combination of our knowledge, creativity, and networking ability to commit ourselves in solving global challenges. While the G-8 and the G-20 Summits have concluded and all the youth delegates have headed back to their respective countries, I am comforted by the fact that the conversation we started at My Summit 2010 will now continue with other youths in every corner of the world!

Thao Anh Tran (Washington, D.C.) is a recent graduate of the Elliott School of International Affairs, where she double majored in International Affairs (with concentrations in International Politics and Asia) and Asian Studies. In 2007, she studied abroad in Hangzhou and Beijing, China and is currently on a Fulbright grant in Yanji, China conducting research on the role of the ethnic Korean community in facilitating Sino-North Korean relations. Upon her return to the U.S., Thao Anh will pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Dear Class of 2014:

Welcome to your new home. I choose these words carefully. The Elliott School of International Affairs is not a factory, or a diet. Four years of carefully structured curriculum does not produce diplomats, or transform x into y. The Elliott School is a workshop. It provides toolboxes, blueprints, and the avuncular advice of staff and faculty. The fact of the matter is; you will build your house.

My house did not turn out as I had planned. The nuts and bolts of Chinese language or Asian Affairs did not quite fasten into the beams I brought to the table. After a year of studying the language and thrusting myself into advanced courses, it turns out I simply couldn’t inspire myself with ZhongGuoHua or Beijing’s foreign initiatives, the way I envisioned it. Sophomore year, I examined the blueprints for my second bedroom, international economics, and to my chagrin I realized I no longer liked the shape of the house. Instead of stripping screws and soldiering on, or quitting on the house altogether, I found new supplies that fit my wood, and I redrew the blueprints.

Your screws and nails are your passions. Late in freshman year, I discovered a theory for international affairs that uniquely inspired me. I had found nationalism. Identifying passion lends direction. Like love at first sight, my chance encounter with nationalism became the framework in which I pursued my education. Classes, coursework, lectures, and theses were colored with respect to what I wanted to learn.

Your blueprints should dictate your rooms. I planned on building a room for international economics, but after a few introductory courses, I realized I didn’t need the space. My house is furnished by a “supply-demand sculpture” and an “IMF coffee table,” but in redefining my goals I saved room for a bust of Aristotle, and a bookcase devoted to Scandinavian history. Pursuing two majors is useful, and admirable, but unless they contrast one another blatantly to differentiate your story, for example IA and Drama, fulfilling both can be very restricting.

Furniture is important! The measure of a house is not only in its design and shape, but in the stuff that gives it depth. Plants from India, a photo wall of you meeting famous and interesting people, and a Special Honors trophy lend your house personality and are just as important as the size of your bathroom. But furniture won’t walk into your living room; you must be proactive in acquisition; the Elliott School is rife with odds and ends that could become centerpieces. RSVP for lectures, join organizations, and apply to programs. I rushed the Foreign Service fraternity, Delta Phi Epsilon, and eventually initiated as a brother. The fraternity provided me with a community of fellow craftsmen who honed my professional skills, challenged me to a higher standard of learning, and gave me an outlet for ideas and events that I wanted to share. Following the Elliott School Newsletter, I attended interesting lectures, meeting future teachers, visiting diplomats, and saw glimpses of houses I could emulate. Sophomore year, I applied to become an Elliott School Undergraduate Scholar. The experience guided me through my first thesis paper, sent me to Flanders, and introduced me to the many other opportunities offered by the Elliott School. These three anecdotes characterize how I sought out my furniture, nabbed it off craigslist, and set it in my living room.

Lastly, seek out help. Staff, faculty, and students all have experience in the construction industry. While each house is different, the tricks of the trade are easily applicable. In my stubbornness, I learned this lesson late. During my last year, I finally began to ask for help, with surprising success. Teachers will meet with concerned or curious students; the latter is always preferable. While I tried to keep my run-ins academic and succinct, the occasional personal conversation led me to realize that their wealth of scholarly knowledge is matched with professional wisdom. If you dare to share the secrets of your house, more often than not, they can lend advice about power tools, roof installation, and grand design. Staff members across departments are more than happy to explain what they do, and how it can help you. When I began to plan my own events, I went to see Ms. O’Donnell at public affairs and learned more than I could have imagined. Set aside pride or fear, so that when you do move in, you won’t regret a semester’s worth of Tiki bar or Nemo’s massive fish tank in your kitchen.

My house took three years to build; yours may take five. My house has one bedroom; yours may have two. Your house is yours to build. The tools are laid out in the workshop, possible blueprints are infinite, and furniture is plentiful. That is the promise and the challenge of the Elliott School of International Affairs. Welcome to your new home; take up the pen, and build.

P.S. Please, for your own sake, no turrets.

Patrick Hanley is a graduating International Affairs major in the Elliott School of International Affairs.  He was also a member of the inaugural Elliott School Undergraduate Scholars, for which he completed a project titled: “Winds of Change: A Study of Contemporary Nationalism and European Politics.”

“O CONTENDING peoples and kindreds of the earth! Set your faces towards unity, and let the radiance of its light shine upon you. Gather ye together, and for the sake of God resolve to root out whatever is the source of contention amongst you. Then will the effulgence of the world’s great Luminary envelop the whole earth, and its inhabitants become the citizens of one city, and the occupants of one and the same throne…There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose. Arise and, armed with the power of faith, shatter to pieces the gods of your vain imaginings, the sowers of dissension amongst you. Cleave unto that which draweth you together and uniteth you. This, verily, is the most exalted Word which the Mother Book hath sent down and revealed unto you. To this beareth witness the Tongue of Grandeur from His habitation of glory.”

~Baha’u’llah, Proclamation of Baha’u’llah

Hello from Shanghai!

I haven’t submitted a post for The E Street Beat in some time so I’d like this one to open with a bang. The subject matter should be groundbreaking. It should dive into something we’re not truly willing to discuss as a global community but I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. It’s taboo. It’s universally misunderstood.

It is: faith as the purest, most sustainable, most effective solution—directly or indirectly—to all of the world’s problems. I’ll tell you why.

What are some of the recurring causes that we see underlying even the most basic conflicts between individuals, tribes, provinces, and nations? I propose it’s human ego, decaying practices and ideologies, and the lack of a divinely inspired standard of ethics to bind, animate, govern, and inspire us past mediocrity and petty bickering. Sound a bit corny? Perhaps, but at this point, when global conditions have deteriorated this much, when problems of the past have become crises of the present and concerns of the future are quickly becoming ultimatums for human survival I’m willing to lend thought to “corny” alternatives.

The point I’m trying to hit at is this: we (the world/those who inhabit it) come from hundreds if not thousands of different cultural and religious backgrounds—each one as varied and rich as the next—but we have entered a truly globalized age whose habit is to blur lines of thought and custom. We have emerged from a past of differences to face global problems that reach far and spare no one. This can be said of every single person, every single country the world over. It seems like nothing less than the organic unity of these myriad identities (personal/tribal/national/religious) is essential if our now global civilization is to continue its march toward progress and prosperity. Insular, narrow concepts like Nationalism and exclusion just aren’t enough anymore. Globalization is cool like that.

Knowing this, how can we bind our world together in a way that is lasting, just, and emphasizes the beauty of each of its component parts so as not to squelch individuality and creativity?

One common faith.

The only pure source capable of uniting and galvanizing the will of an interconnected world, I would venture, is a global faith. Specifically, one that is broad in scope, purely Divine in origin, has strong democratically elected institutions that draw their legitimacy from all of its adherents, and built to guide and nurture mankind to a new age of prosperity. One that advocates for the equality of women and men, the essential unity and cooperation of science and religion, and provides a framework for the peace and economic prosperity of the nations. A faith that transcends past ecclesiastical squabbles and inconsistencies by eliminating the institution of the clergy and putting spiritual power in the hands of the people, king and villager alike.

For the sake of full disclosure, I see all of these things (and SO much more) in the Baha’i Faith and it’s why at the age of fifteen, after a period of personal reflection and investigation, I consciously decided that I wanted to actively work toward the promise of world unity as a Baha’i—but this is for another post.

Let’s take a step back for a moment and consider exactly what we face. The most obvious example of a global problem that demands a global solution is climate change. This is too easy and has been paid much lip service already—albeit for good reason. Let’s instead look at something hard, like US and NATO involvement in Afghanistan.

I am by no means an expert on either this issue or international security policy in general but some of the relevant facets of engagement that I see are: security, intelligence, economic development, cultural preservation and understanding, access to basic services, construction of working financial institutions, networks of information and material transportation to connect Afghanistan internally and with the rest of the world, widespread access to quality education for both girls and boys, organic democratic thinking among Afghans to serve as the underpinnings of an open, sustainable, and effective elected government. The list goes on but let’s work with these few for now.

I often read the news and subsequent analysis of the situation in Afghanistan from within the US and without, from the left and the right and I don’t see anyone taking human reality into consideration. It’s like people are content with reporting and predicting but never with investigating a “how” that transcends band-aid solutions that are fundamentally inhuman in nature. And no, this is not a shot at US policy in that country but applies more broadly to policy making the world over. It seems to me that this kind of analysis forfeits the penetrating humanity behind the above-mentioned set of issues and instead seeks to treat political/economic/cultural constructs—all facets that are essentially human in nature—with very inhuman solutions. If you’re anemic (iron deficiency) will you start chomping on chunks of iron to solve the problem? No, you’d seek a practically human solution like consulting a physician and with his/her guidance in mind, proceed to a solution, like taking a multivitamin supplement. Unfortunately governments have become obsessed with feeding themselves and others iron to chomp on while ignoring the increasing pain and sickness that accompany it.

Our world, it seems, has not yet learned how to become more than a spectator of its own affairs. Everything is merely a response to crises at both the macro and micro level. I again venture that what we are in sore need of is a Divine Physician with a faith to guide us toward a place where we are self-aware enough to actively participate in our future as one world.

I’ll finish with Afghanistan. I pose the question: how could any coalition of nations/militaries/aid agencies etc. expect to create lasting transformation that serves the people of Afghanistan if the basic customs, approach, and thinking of Afghans are not the chief issues being addressed? Complaints are heard all the time about the “backward” practices of the people and seemingly unstoppable cancer that is extreme Islam but sound answers are never heard in response. That’s because there are none besides the obvious: a reinvention not only of the political and economic systems of a people, but also their thinking and system of ethics. It takes a transformation of the heart before anything else can follow. In Afghanistan’s case, this must happen on both sides.

How will Afghans accept the concept of democracy enthusiastically if it’s imposed top-down without any sign of practical application to their lives? How are we to root out corruption within the Karzai government if there is no change of heart on the part of the individual to precede the implementation of incentives and penalties? Why should Afghans suddenly choose to open their lives and country to the global economy when a consciousness of global interconnectivity and prosperity is not already in place? How is a soldier in the US army supposed to love the Afghans of the town he has been sent to protect when he struggles to see the “earth as one country and mankind its citizens” (Baha’u’llah)? Conversely, how should the imperative for national and global unity be instilled in a fifteen year-old Afghan boy when he is approached by Al-Qaeda to be trained in Pakistan?

These require unity of purpose worldwide. We’d be kidding ourselves if we advocated for anything less.

Bobak is a junior in the Elliott School of International Affairs, majoring in International Affairs with concentrations in International Economics and East Asia. In addition to being passionate about world unity and the Baha’i Faith, Bobak’s Persian heritage, American upbringing, and obsession with the People’s Republic of China lend him a unique perspective on what is unfolding around us. Duck and dumplings are currently on the menu as Bobak is in the midst of spending a full year in Beijing, China studying Mandarin and working for a Chinese environmental NGO.

Contrary to the common perception of people, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is not the biggest threat to Pakistan; neither is it powerful enough to take over the government. The real threat to Pakistan’s stability and the future comes from the rich aristocratic class of the country. In almost all the political discourses both in Pakistan and abroad, containing TTP is seen as the end to the crisis that the country currently faces. It should be noted that the TTP has not led Pakistan into the crisis that it faces today; rather it is the crisis that the elite class of Pakistan brought about in the past sixty-two years that has unleashed a force like TTP. While this offshoot of the original Taliban is no doubt a threat that needs to be contained, the aristocracy in Pakistan escapes its responsibility for bringing the country to the brink of collapse.

A country’s success is dependant on the nature of its elite class. An elite class is responsible for the well-being of the people from low socioeconomic groups. A country that has an elite class which is responsive to the needs of its people and those living in the community is guaranteed stability and acceptance from its citizens. However, the elite class of Pakistan has operated with extreme short-sightedness by exploiting its own people and ignoring their needs. Elites have not been hit by the suicide attacks and have yet to suffer the devastation of war. People belonging to the elite class are among the first to criticize politicians, the army and the United States for the crisis the country faces, but when it comes to contribution they have not moved an inch to contribute positively towards the country.

It is politically incorrect for the people who have not contributed anything for their country to point fingers or blame the government for the crisis. In the morning they sympathize with the victims of suicide attacks and afterwards line up outside posh café’s and restaurants to spend a couple of thousand rupees on their entertainment. The closure of educational institutions due to security concerns has been a blessing; an early winter break for many of them.

The youth that belong to this class are often more western than people in the West, while  at the same time they hate everything about the West – a sign of sheer ignorance. These are also the same youth that get an opportunity to study at the top universities in Pakistan and abroad. Education in Pakistan, however, teaches them all about the art of making money; little focus is given to the improvement of society and giving back to the community. Most of those who are educated abroad live their four years in a fantasy world, developing foreign accents and styles of living. They return home as modern colonizers.

Revolution is a word at the tip of tongue of all youth, not for the improvement of society but rather to be an important figure of the history. For many the Palestinian struggle is a fashion symbol, and the Kashmir struggle is not! Speaking English is modern; Urdu is not! Alcohol is sign of liberalization, women right’s are not! Sadly, this is the future generation of Pakistan that is equally radical and probably much more ignorant than Taliban. Wrapped in conspiracy theories, following the directions of extremist radicals like Zaid Hamid, this youth has lost its way. There is still no realization by the rich and aristocratic class of their involvement in bringing Pakistan to the current crisis.

The people of Pakistan need to develop long term planning and approach. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan is only a seasonal force that will not survive a couple years longer, but as long as the elite class of Pakistan and the future generations do not change their ways and mentality, forces like TTP will continue to re-surface. For past six decades people belonging to the elite class have marginalized people from other provinces and lower socioeconomic classes. They have been ignorant to the needs of their own people. There is no concept of giving back to the community or improvement of the society. There is no activity on the individual level from the elite and pampered class youth to contribute positively towards the society. Their sympathies and dinner table activism has not changed the situation on ground.

The least they can do as the ‘blessed’ ones is to learn from their education, and detach themselves from the older custom, views and beliefs of the society that segregates and creates power disparity amongst the people. TTP consists of only few thousand hardcore militants who have international aspirations. Seventy-five percent of the militants are those who have been marginalized by the elite class and not provided education, food and opportunity by the government of Pakistan. There is little point in blaming the government as power in Pakistan bounces between the different elites.

Containing the Pakistani Taliban is a necessity to clear out the mess created by the elite class in past sixty two year. As the army struggles to weed out the militants, there is an equal need to bring the aristocracy of Pakistan under the rule of law. As long as the people with luxury cars and money continue to ignore and mould the law to their interests, the situation in Pakistan will not change an inch even without the threat of Pakistani Taliban.

The people and government of Pakistan have to understand that the foremost reason Pakistan faces the crisis today is because of the exploitation of the poor people of Pakistan at the hands of a rich aristocratic class that is not tamed by any law. If the poor are deprived of pens, bread and justice they will naturally resort to violence and terrorism for survival. The idea is not to abolish the elite class of Pakistan but to make it realize its responsibilities and make it more responsive to the needs of poor people in the society. That is the only answer to the question asked by people in the elite class, ‘What is wrong with Pakistan?’

Hussain is an international student from Pakistan majoring in International Affairs at the Elliott School. He is concentrating in the Middle East and South Asia regions. He is currently spending a Junior Year Abroad (JYA) at Pembroke College, Oxford. Hussain is also the student liaison to the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C. He plans to pursue graduate study at Oxford University after graduation and work in the government of Pakistan.

“China is the country of the future!…China has most great capability. The Chinese people are most simple-hearted and truth-seeking…He must entertain no thought of his own, but ever think of their spiritual welfare…each one of whom may become a bright candle of the world of humanity. Truly, I say they are free from any deceit and hypocrisies and are prompted with ideal motives.”

~Abdu’l-Baha, China Tablet, The Baha’i Faith

I love China. I mean, I’ve fallen head over heels….over head over heels……in love with China. I’ve spent some time thinking about why this is; why a Persian kid from Philly feels something so penetrating in the Far East. It’s not the economic prowess, political intrigue, or social change that draw me to this beautiful country, although they are all fascinating to follow. It’s something much more subtle and powerful than those external trends. In fact, it is the source from which I believe those other things emanate.

What connects me to China is nothing less than the pervasive spiritual maturity of the Chinese people that Abdu’l-Baha speaks about in the above quoted passage from His China Tablet.

In reference to the passage, it might be easy to confuse “simple-hearted” with simple-minded but this could not be further from the reality of the Chinese. Never before have I come across such an insightful, ingenuitive, and naturally united people as those I interact with on a daily basis. They have the natural “truth-seeking” quality that has served them so well and are proactively developing their capacity to become “bright candle[s] in the world of humanity”. The simple-heartedness that I have seen in the people here is a beautiful willingness to learn without attachment to ego. It’s a somewhat lost art in the West as we have been taught that an opinionated mind and clash of egos are the mark of the educated man. I think we pursue this path of thinking to our own detriment.

Being here fills me with so much joy. In a given day the energy I receive from just waking up and interacting with the people animates me to live, learn, and laugh in an entirely new way. The first time I came to China was during the Olympics, and the moment I arrived at Pu Dong International Airport in Shanghai it felt like I was coming home for the first time. I later described to my parents that it felt like the last piece of a puzzle had clicked into place to illuminate the sense of completeness I felt. I will spend the rest of my life learning from and serving these magnificent people. What a bounty I have been given.

Bobak is a junior in the Elliott School of International Affairs, majoring in International Affairs with concentrations in International Economics and East Asia. In addition to being passionate about world unity and the Baha’i Faith, Bobak’s Persian heritage, American upbringing, and obsession with the People’s Republic of China lend him a unique perspective on what is unfolding around us. Duck and dumplings are currently on the menu as Bobak is in the midst of spending a full year in Beijing, China studying Mandarin and working for a Chinese environmental NGO.

Social entrepreneurship in the neo-natal clinics of India. Photo: Grant Tudor

I’ve been in India two weeks now, talking social enterprise with some remarkably rare changemakers (social enterprise is an explosive field being explored here on campus by emerging groups like the GW Social Enterprise Forum). Last Monday I sat in a cramped concrete office deep in Chennai’s industrial park, drinking tea with Mr. Mukundan – a wrinkled but wildly energetic old man – as he discussed his low-cost alternative energy stove that runs off 100% plant oil… something that will not only positively impact the pocketbooks of the world’s rural poor, but help tackle one of the largest, albeit strangest, causes of global greenhouse gas emissions: kerosene stoves.

Earlier, I paid a visit to Mr. Vivekanandan in rural Coimbatore: 67 years old, 10th grade level of education, and a passion for his work that is rare for most. He’s invented a mechanical food grinder for rural communities that traditionally grind their wheat and spices by hand (or with expensive, inefficient machines). With a brilliant business model under his belt – to sell the machines on credit to rural distributors, who in turn sell it for cash to a village entrepreneur who runs and maintains it for the entire community – he’s poised to transform a critical but strenuous facet of life for low-income households.

I hopped in a cab today and drove a couple hours into the rural outskirts of Chennai. At 2pm, it was the peak of India’s stifling and wet midday sun. I sat in a small, sterile room of a neonatal clinic, sweating and scribbling notes as Dr. Sathya Jeganathan – a soft-spoken, elderly woman draped in a maroon sari – explained her efforts to save thousands of newborns with her low-cost infant warmer. With the medical innovation up and running (one that can be manufactured and maintained by local carpenters and electricians rather than expensive and unattainable biomedical engineers), she’s on a brilliant start. I walked through the facility, watching nurses attend to frail, premature newborns alive only by the ingenuity of this woman.

Of course, changemaking means facing down the ancien régime. Dr. Jeganathan explained how the World Bank is pouring millions into the central government’s health coffers, permitting it to purchase expensive, un-maintainable medical equipment from well-connected domestic and international corporations. If the government can freely cash in by the millions from the World Bank, where’s the incentive to be cost-effective, prudent and accountable to Indian taxpayers? Where’s the incentive to search for the grassroots innovations within its own country? Where’s the incentive to pay attention to Dr. Jeganathan’s invention and purchase it instead for the hundreds of millions of Indians living in rural villages, and bring it to scale? Here, it’s the entrenched interests of the World Bank against a dilapidated but brilliant neonatal clinic.

My ride back to Chennai was definitely marked by a deep, burning enmity for certain development institutions. In spite of the Bank, though, and in spite of the still rivers of open sewage and roadside shantytowns, I’m still hit by a tremendous sense of what’s possible. Coincidently, I stared out the window while listening to a podcast lecture by Geoff Mulgan who had this to say: “If the great exploratory challenges of the past generation were ones like putting a man on the moon, perhaps those of this generation are ones like eliminating child malnutrition, or stopping human trafficking.” No disrespect to astronauts, but I’m absolutely convinced that these social innovators are the new frontier.

Grant is a senior majoring in International Affairs concentrating in International Development and International Economics and minoring in Political Science. He’s studied in both Argentina and Kenya and works passionately in the field of social entrepreneurship.

Meeting with Hillary Clinton while interning at the State Department. Photo: Thao Anh Tran

As a Thomas R. Pickering Fellow, an honor that I received with assistance from the staff of the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research, I had the privilege of interning at the Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs (more commonly referred to as the China Desk) at the State Department this past summer.

Although it is probably every intern’s dream to do more than just copying and shredding papers at their internship, with only a B.A. degree under my belt and no previous government-related internship experience, I started my internship on the China Desk with minimal expectations for my assigned responsibilities. Contrary to my expectations, however, my summer internship was filled with a multitude of challenges that enabled me to apply my knowledge to a real-world setting, as well as endless opportunities for direct engagement in the policy-making process.

During my first month on the China Desk, I was already excited and satisfied when tasked with attending and reporting on meetings both within and outside the State Department and drafting replies to incoming Congressional correspondence. Supporting the China Desk Director, Deputy Director and Desk officers at these meetings helped fulfill my goal of witnessing and engaging in the interagency policy-making process first hand.

As an aspiring diplomat who has always been immensely interested in China affairs, particularly U.S.-China relations, being able to read the latest updates on their bilateral relations and see diplomats negotiating right in front of my own eyes was indeed a major treat. Yet, at the time, I did not know that the highlight of my summer was still awaiting me.

As we hit July, my office was getting busier and busier and before I knew it, I was part of “Erica’s (the State Coordinator for the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, often referred to as the S&ED) Army.” Along with the other interns on the China Desk, I was excited to just have the opportunity to work on a very high profile project. After all, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner, their Chinese counterparts, State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Vice Premier Wang Qishan, as well as many other high level American and Chinese officials were participants.

Initially we devoted our efforts to editing and compiling briefing materials for senior State Department officials to use in high-level negotiations, but soon we were entrusted with responsibilities interns could only dream of having! Our 9-hour workdays eventually turned into more than 12 hours ones. From providing logistical support and advanced coordination to meeting high-level officials from the Chinese Embassy in preparation for the S&ED, I was especially overjoyed to have the opportunity to practice being a diplomat in a real life setting.

When the S&ED, which took place in Washington, D.C. from July 27 to July 28, finally occurred, I was privileged to witness first-hand American and Chinese officials discussing a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues that carry strategic and economic implications for U.S.-China relations in both the short and long-term. My optimism for the future of U.S.-China relations was emboldened when I noticed diplomats of both countries cooperating with each other to address shared interests while acknowledging the differences that exist in the relationship.

To sum it up, my summer internship on the China Desk was truly an experience of a lifetime. Although my involvement in the S&ED, especially being able to shake hands with Secretary Clinton and the two top Chinese officials at the Dialogue defined my summer, the unending support and guidance that I received from everyone on the China Desk helped make my experience there truly memorable. This experience also reconfirmed my interest in international affairs, especially U.S.-China relations, and my desire to pursue a career in diplomacy.

Thao Anh is a recent graduate of the Elliott School of International Affairs, where she double majored in International Affairs (with concentrations in International Politics and Asia) and Asian Studies. In 2007, she studied abroad in Hangzhou and Beijing, China and is currently on a Fulbright grant in Yanji, China conducting research on the role of the ethnic Korean community in facilitating Sino-North Korean relations. Upon her return to the U.S., Thao Anh will pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Working at the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh. Photo: Thao Anh Tran

My internship at the State Department’s China Desk this past summer, an incredible experience in itself, led me to an even more amazing opportunity: the chance to participate in the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh from September 24th to September 25th. After my frequent interaction with the management and protocol staff at the State Department in the process of planning for the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, I was asked if I would be interested in serving as a Spouse Liaison Officer for the G-20 Summit. Though I initially had no idea what this job would entail other than being involved in some capacity with helping a spouse of one of the leaders attending the G-20, the thought of being able to attend the Summit made it impossible for me to resist the offer.

By early September I was notified that I had been assigned Mrs. Kim Yun-ok, the First Lady of South Korea. I jumped with excitement upon hearing the news, as I had just visited South Korea in the past month and am currently learning Korean. As a Spouse Liaison Officer my responsibilities included participating in conference calls and keeping myself informed of details of all activities that the spouses of leaders attending the G-20 Summit would participate in, as well as maintaining frequent contacts with the Principal Liaison Officer for South Korea and the staff at the South Korean Embassy. While these duties were not particularly difficult to execute, the fact that I was in China and had to deal with the 12-hour time difference made it particularly challenging for me to keep up with my responsibilities.

When the week of the G-20 Summit finally arrived, I took a 7-day hiatus from my Fulbright research in China to fly to Pittsburgh, where I joined the rest of the Spouse Liaison Officers. By the time of my arrival, Pittsburgh, which was selected as the host location for the G-20 Summit for its remarkable economic recovery over the past thirty years and its commitment to building a sustainable future through the employment of green technology,  buzzed with excitement. The David Lawrence Convention Center, which hosted meetings and discussions between leaders of the world’s major industrialized and developing economies and relevant organizations and is recognized as the first “green” convention center in the world, was still under heavy construction with workers rushing to put the final touches to the meeting rooms in time for the opening of the Summit.

Although memories of being a few feet from Mrs. Obama or being part of Mrs. Kim’s motorcade as we traveled to the Phipps Conservatory for the opening reception of the G-20 Summit or having dinner at Mrs. Heinz’s Rosemont Farm or being able to see Yo-Yo Ma perform at CAPA Pittsburgh will stay with me forever, it is the hard-working ethic of the staff behind-the-scenes and the extreme precision and perfection that they sought for everything that impressed me most. These are qualities that I hope to emulate as I work hard to become a successful diplomat in the near future.

While the Spousal Program for the G-20 did not have any direct relevance to the success of the policy-making process of the Summit, its success demonstrated the United States’ eagerness to spread goodwill to the world. For this reason, despite the incredibly tight schedule, from making site visits to the locations where the spousal activities would take place to participating in meetings with the South Korean Embassy staff which made me quite exhausted, I felt incredibly honored to have been a part of a very dedicated team whose work exuded professionalism all-around the clock.

Thao Anh is a recent graduate of the Elliott School of International Affairs, where she double majored in International Affairs (with concentrations in International Politics and Asia) and Asian Studies. In 2007, she studied abroad in Hangzhou and Beijing, China and is currently on a Fulbright grant in Yanji, China conducting research on the role of the ethnic Korean community in facilitating Sino-North Korean relations. Upon her return to the U.S., Thao Anh will pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

I must confess that up until 2008, I was one of those people living in Pakistan who thought 9/11 was an inside job and that the War on Terror was actually a War on Islam. I have lived 18 years of my life in a country that has been overwhelmed by conspiracies. Whether it is a suicide attack on a five star hotel or economic turmoil, our government has comfortably blamed the Indians and the United States for every flaw of our society. During the time I spent in Pakistan I pondered why every other country conspired against us? The only answer I got from the people was that they (the United States and India) hate us because we are Muslims and we are a nuclear power. Reluctant and unsatisfied, I would accept these answers. However, this was soon to change.

I was quite nervous when I first landed in Washington D.C. I had to fight my way to the United States as my father was extremely unhappy sending me to study in the U.S. I came to the Elliott School of International Affairs with a passion for international affairs and politics. I wanted to understand what was going on in my country and the role of United States in my region. After taking four semesters at Elliot Schooll I returned to Pakistan for a winter break. I went back as a changed man. Living in the United States and studying at one of the best schools of International Affairs opened my eyes. Studying at the Elliott School enabled me to remove myself from the biases I had developed while living in a land flooded with conspiracies.

The more I talked to my people, the more frustrated I got. I argued restlessly with people to convince them that the United States did not intend to break Pakistan. I argued passionately on Islamic teachings under the light of modernity. It was not long enough when I was being labeled as pro-American, CIA, etc.

I am not a part of the CIA but, yes, I take myself as pro-American for a very simple reason. If Pakistan gave me a life and brought me to where I am today, the United States gave me an education and opened my eyes to this world. I can never be selfish to a country that has given me an opportunity to educate myself. I fell in love with this country the first day my U.S. Diplomatic History professor told me, ‘Yes we Americans messed up a lot in this world, but let us study that so we can prevent any future mistakes’.

Today, when I observe the political situation in Pakistan I am no longer confused. I understand the nature and history of the problem. I have stopped blaming the United States or India. I understand where the problem rests and I plan do something about it once I graduate. ‘Change’ is what the United States has taught me.

Hussain is an international student from Lahore, Pakistan majoring in International Affairs at the Elliott School. He is concentrating in the Middle East and South Asia regions. He is currently spending a Junior Year Abroad (JYA) at Pembroke College, Oxford. Hussain is also the student liaison to the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C. He plans to pursue graduate study at Oxford University after graduation and work in the government of Pakistan.