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3/1/1994 - Life after ICWA by Casey C. Kelso

INSTITUTEOFCURRENTWORLDAFFAIRS Life after ICWA Casey C Kelso Siward Road London NI7 UK March Peter Bird Martin Institute Current World Affairs West Wheelock Street Hanover New Hampshire U S A 03755 Dear Peter My fellowship southern Africa influenced search after ICWA nudging previous working development doing media field pushing broader arena international human rights I apparent anyone essays primary focus learn technical knowledge about agriculture although blurb bottom newsletter proclaimed studying societies economies production systems southern Africa I hired technical consultant agriculture What I learn however something impossible grasp studying cultural economics university I learned respect southern African societies I people survived thrived poverty corruption people dreamed democratic systems better lives I found complex hopeful region disaster prone basketcase often portrayed The problems there remedies which present motivated sincere Africans their solutions They rarely chance Instead expatriate development setters consult latest fashionable problem Eventually decisions affect region families their culture respect I witnessed resentment southern Africans these foreign experts I questioned whether I wanted development again Westerners might settle mediocre development agencies budgets international donors I clear project funding women AIDS micro enterprises street Yet I little results And I reluctant other expatriate workers field shown success An unpleasant accurate skepticism emerged experience ICWA fellow I learned discerning about outsider inspired development southern Africa I visited donor funded schemes Casey C Kelso fellow southern Africa works press officer Amnesty International London Since Institute Current World Affairs Crane Rogers Foundation provided fellowships enable outstanding young adults outside United States write about international areas issues Endowed bythelateCharlesR Crane theInstituteisalsosupportedbycontributionsfromlike mindedindividualsand foundations function continuing largesse foreigners I optimistic I could better I worked group During fellowship however I identify organizations succeeded creating sustainable projects thoroughly consulting local people analyzing problems before committing money With right group I could assist locally initiated projects Oxfam UK which I applied country representative Zimbabwe those groups Oxfam doesn development facilitate progress The group defines development constructive change which allows people precarious fulfilling lives while maintaining their dignity encouraging their determination acknowledging their cultural styles priorities There other reasons I wanted southern Africa The experience would invaluable because I would responsibility field representative overseas agency I worked office I enjoyed living southern Africa And I admit I America mployed Letters friends journalism described massive layoffs newspapers failing A commentator aptly called print journalists information superhighway One particular rejection letter confirmed We highly skilled applicants application received project letter stated Four hundred applications media paying little astonished Locally initiated development groups I reasoned might responsive local African communities And United Nations agencies often locally I better chance I already living Africa Therefore I searched local papers development related advertisements ended applying positions Southern Africa Communications Development Institute SACODI United Nations International Children Emergency Fund UNICEF International Crops Research Institute Se Arid Tropics ICRISAT And I thought tedious explain ICWA acronym South Africa great possibilities after apartheid officially toppled Many interesting opened crucial country troubled history So I applied media resources National Land Committee Bramfontien South Africa researcher writer Human Rights Commission Natal journalism training coordinator media workshops across South Africa As turned I turned everyone As reluctant employer By hiring local person there person unemployed region And never local language effectively someone I couldn argue because attitude justified Hiring someone Africa meant developing professional capacity least person region There another reason I hired In field related development least master degree often needed Those I competed master degrees agriculture economics public health while others doctorates Experience counts advanced degree clincher development employers Clearly I eventually masters Ph D I development field I switched tacks I lacked qualifications development there weren journalism But I ICWA experience writing about development So I began applying United States writing publicity positions international development agencies For example I application educator hunger issues Bread World Institute Hunger Development Washington D C based group research publishes analyses provides educational events about causes solutions hunger Another I sought CARE which wanted someone research write disseminate project information marketing staff Atlanta I writing market development projects I applied another CARE position public relations specialist That description seemed commercial increase visibility through media develop media strategies write releases sheets other materials artists actors stores other outlets place CARE materials A third group InterAction advertised media associate organize publicity campaigns Interaction coalition private voluntary organizations working international development refugee assistance disaster relief public policy It seemed ideal Washington D C group stimulate national interest influence public attitudes about international relief development There other writing about development which I applied sooner later rejection letters found Zimbabwe So I prepared leave Africa nearly months after fellowship ended wondering I settle something international managing restaurants With trepidation I filled three applications One position Africa selling condoms private sector You private Population Services International believes promote condoms privately business subsidies start costs Such private sector approach important development issue interested Overpopulation theme hindsight I through essays In Zambia people meant chimpanzees became commodities And Malawi Zimbabwe Lesotho I wrote about shortages economic pressures urbanization caused people The second London International Alert flict resolution group wanted someone develop networks resolve violent conflict within countries reconcile parties other More importantly preventative diplomacy identifying potential conflicts promoting dialogue About I began wonder I would school given general trend former fellows One initial interviews ICWA Sam Levy concluded stint Mozambique became Wall Street attorney Both ICWA avuncles Kendal Price Bowden Quinn lawyers And after finishing fellowship Carol Rose promptly enrolled Harvard Law School Faced prospect I alarmed Long range goals tested circumstances At I closed doors I began about seemed option CIA After CIA always looking people interested international affairs quick uptake write about policy issues The Agency openly advertised intelligence officers bulletins which I subscribed It placed biological alternative weapons experts knowledge chemical hazardous methods killing My third application International Secretariat Amnesty International London which wanted press officer communicate concerns about human rights international media The advertisement struck responsive chord because ICWA fellow southern Africa I firsthand necessary Amnesty International Sometimes I freedoms violated conspicuous Zambian President Frederick Chiluba reimposed state emergency detained dozen opposition members without charge Other times I witnessed hidden suppression personal liberties Malawi newspaper journalists attacked assailants Human rights fragile continent defend themselves against authorities often thought fairness equity After three written tests audio video panel interview Amnesty International offered Although seemed different direction I intended writing about development I honored accept position human rights organization protects those vulnerable imprisonment torture execution I second month I enjoying there Sincerely