From: Economic and Political Development Concentration
Date: October 16, 2023
Subject: EPD Newsletter | October 16, 2023


 
 
 

Dear EPD-ers,

We hope that during these times of tension, you are able to take care of your wellbeing and that of your friends. As policy and international affairs students, let us all remember more than ever to engage in dialogue with the intention to learn more, contextualize the present, dispel misinformation and disinformation, and show empathy towards one another. As future leaders and policy makers, the onus is on us to inform ourselves and to engage in discourses that lead towards the path to solutions.

With this message, we would also like to remind you that Counseling and Psychological Services are available to you at any time. You can schedule appointments here. In addition, we as fellow SIPA community members and PAs are always available to talk and listen. 🙂

 This week’s newsletter includes:
  • EPD Retreat Update - Save the Date!
  • EPD Events
  • Student Spotlight - Saachi Singh
  • Career Advancement Center Events 
  • Events Happening at Columbia 
  • Recommendation of the Week - Marc Andreessen: How Risk Taking, Innovation & Artificial Intelligence Transform Human Experience
  • EPD Office Hours

EPD Retreat Update – Save the date!

We are happy to announce that EPD Retreat is back! 

We are happy to announce that EPD Retreat has been rescheduled for Saturday 11/18. We have reached out to everyone who registered for the original retreat date, and we thank everyone who either confirmed their participation on 11/18 or informed us that they could no longer make it. We appreciate your responsiveness. We look forward to a fun-filled getaway and hope the weather will cooperate this time. Registered students can stay tuned for further updates regarding the trip. Those who cancelled should remember to get their refunds in the EPD office.  

EPD Events

  • Community Savings Circles and Remittances: Building on the Trillion Dollar Informal Economic System
When: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | 1-2 pm

Where: Room 801

The "informal economic sector” swirls around us. We outsiders can’t see it, yet a villager or immigrant could tell us how it works. Ask the townsfolk and villagers who run the most transparent and community-minded savings groups how they would organize more groups. Grassroots Finance Action did just this and was astounded by the results. Please join Jeffrey Ashe, Director of Grassroots Finance Action and SIPA Adjunct Professor, for a discussion of how these community savings groups are revolutionizing access to very much needed resources among the most disadvantaged.

Click here to register. 

  • Education and Youth Empowerment - Stories from Romania, Uganda and Ukraine

When: Tuesday, 24 October, 2023 | 1-2 pm

Where: Room 409

Click here to register

  • Championing Climate Action and Justice: Insights from Young Leaders in Brazil, France, and Nigeria
When: Tuesday, 24 October, 2023 | 1-2 pm

Where: Room 409

Click here to register.

  • The Political Future of Muslims in India with Professor Mujib ur Rehman

When: Monday, 30 October, 2023 | 1-2 pm

Where: Room 801

Click here to register. 

Student Spotlight - Saachi Singh

Hi, EPD-ers! I am a second-year MPA student. My journey has been shaped by a commitment to addressing educational inequity. I taught middle school English and Math at Teach for India for two years, after which I transitioned to the human resources team to infuse leadership and administrative expertise into the education system. My overarching career goal is to specialize in roles related to evaluation, data analysis, and research within multilateral organizations, where I aim to support global education programs. Beyond my professional pursuits, I derive great joy and inspiration from immersing myself in the vibrant coffee culture of NYC. Exploring new coffee shops has become a cherished pastime, each establishment offering its unique character and narrative. These visits not only gratify my love for exceptional coffee but also provide a captivating glimpse into the diverse and ever-evolving fabric of this city. Hit me up if you want to grab a cup of joe!

Students who would like to be featured in our newsletter can submit their story and a picture here.

Career Advancement Center Events

Introduction to Careers with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Webinar
When/Time: Monday, October 16, 2023 @ 4:00 am - 5:00 am 
Where: Zoom
Dress Code: Casual
Work Authorization Requirement: All Work Authorizations Accepted

APSIA Graduate Students and recent alumni are invited to learn about the work of and career opportunities with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). AIIB is a multilateral development bank whose mission is financing the “Infrastructure for Tomorrow,” infrastructure with sustainability at its core. They began operations in Beijing in January 2016 and have since grown to 109 approved members worldwide.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

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Captona & Karbone - Private Equity & Research Firms Specializing in Renewable Energy Markets/SIPA Info Session
When/Time: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 
Where: IAB Room TBD
Dress Code: Business Casual
Work Authorization Requirement: All Work Authorizations Accepted, STEM eligible degree

Join Davide Rosso, Director of Talent Acquisition and Management at Captona & Karbone, for a discussion on opportunities at their Private Equity firm, as well as their Brokerage & Research firm specializing in renewable and sustainable energy markets. Captona & Karbone are open to sponsoring visas.

The event is now at maximum capacity. For more information, CLICK HERE.

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CPRL Information Session - Teachers College, QMSS, SIPA students
When/Time: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 
Where: Teachers College
Dress Code: Business Casual
Work Authorization Requirement: All Work Authorizations Accepted

Interested in advancing systemic change in public education and the wider public sector? The Center for Public Research and Leadership (CPRL) offers a chance to do just that while earning credit at your home institution. RSVP to learn more! Hear from CPRL's senior staff, current, and previous participants about this immersive, full-semester program.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

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Y Analytics – Impact Solutions + ESG/SIPA Employer Info Session
When/Time: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 
Where: IAB 411
Dress Code: Business Casual
Work Authorization Requirement: All Work Authorizations Accepted, STEM eligible degree

Y Analytics is TPG's innovative internal capability, purpose-built to understand and improve the environmental and social impacts of deployed capital. Our mission is to increase the amount and effectiveness of capital allocation for the greater good.

This event is now at maximum capacity. For more information, CLICK HERE.

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Partnership for Public Service Employer Information Session
When/Time: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 @ 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm 
Where: Uris 107
Dress Code: Business Casual
Work Authorization Requirement: Permanent US Work Authorization Required

A session open to students from all academic disciplines who are curious about careers in the federal government. This is an opportunity to learn about the wide range of federal internships and jobs and get practical tips on how to launch a career in the federal government. Paid opportunities in government will also be covered. This session will guide students through considering, applying and securing federal employment. The session will provide tools for researching opportunities and provide practical tips for applying for job opportunities. Students interested in a paid federal government internship opportunity for spring and summer 2023 are encouraged to attend, as the session will offer an overview of the Future Leaders in Public Service program.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

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CPRL Information Session - Business, Data Sciences, Education, and Policy students
When/Time: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm 
Where: Zoom
Dress Code: Business Casual
Work Authorization Requirement: All Work Authorizations Accepted

Interested in advancing systemic change in public education and the wider public sector? The Center for Public Research and Leadership (CPRL) offers a chance to do just that while earning credit at your home institution. RSVP to learn more! Hear from CPRL's senior staff, current, and previous participants about this immersive, full-semester program.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

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CRS International Development Fellows Program Information Session
When/Time: Friday, October 20, 2023 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 
Where: Zoom
Dress Code: Casual
Work Authorization Requirement: All Work Authorizations Accepted

Catholic Relief Services' International Development Fellows Program prepares dedicated global citizens to pursue a career in international relief & development work. CRS empowers Fellows to hone their skills and gain practical field experience while contributing to impactful work. Each Fellow works alongside experienced CRS staff to address critical issues facing developing countries today. CRS invites applicants of diverse backgrounds who are committed to our agency mission and strategy to join our global team.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

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NASPAA DC Virtual Trek - CRS Virtual Information Session

When/Time: Monday, October 23, 2023 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 
Where: Zoom
Dress Code: Casual

What is the Congressional Research Service (CRS)? The Congressional Research Service (CRS), a federal legislative branch agency located within the Library of Congress, serves as shared staff exclusively to congressional committees and Members of Congress. CRS experts assist at every stage of the legislative process — from the early considerations that precede bill drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities.

This session will be led by Human Capital Management Specialist Carmen Reese.

Click here for details 
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World Economic Forum Employer Information Session

When/Time: Wednesday, October 25, 2023 @ 1- 2:00 pm 
Where: IAB Room TBD
Dress Code: Business Casual

Join a team from the World Economic Forum's NYC office, including Talent Acquisition Lead Michael Thomas and several SIPA alumni, as they discuss opportunities at the WEF. WEF considers visa sponsorship on a case-by-case basis.

Click here to register.

Events Happening at Columbia 

  • Fish Idols and Red Gods
When/Time: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Where: IAB Room 1219 

Please join the Harriman Institute for a lecture by Klavdia Smola, Visiting Scholar at the Harriman Institute. Moderated by Mark Lipovetsky.

The native peoples of the north - the Evenks, Nanai, Khanty, Nenets, Chukchi, Koryak or Eskimos - became objects of assimilation, extermination, and the creation of a written culture from scratch in the early Soviet era. Their small numbers, remoteness from the cultural metropolises, in addition to the still strong ties to the traditions of their ancestors make their literary production a particularly controversial example of modernization and (post)colonial dependencies in the former Soviet state. Due to the lack of a pre-Soviet written literary tradition, “young” literatures (mladopis΄mennye literatury) were born as a symbiosis of folklore, beliefs, indigenous-Christian customs and the surrogate literary tradition of the Russian-European center: the Soviet “master plot.” Having graduated from universities in Moscow or Leningrad, the first generations of writers “(re)invented” a view of themselves as simultaneously native and Other.

What was the consequence of the fact that the Siberia’s native authors internalized the role of the youngest “brother” within the "family" of Soviet national literatures? How did the northern indigenous minorities manifest their own version of the Soviet literary canon and reflect on the “cultural clash” of Sovietization in the post-Thaw period? And what happened when the local authors had experienced a cardinal reevaluation of their values in the pre-perestroika time?

Register https://events.columbia.edu/cal/event/showEventMore.rdo

  • FILM FESTIVAL The Missing Picture (L'Image manquante)

When/Time: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Where: Buell Hall, 515 W. 116 St., New York, NY 10027

Room/Area: East Gallery

Rithy Panh, 2013, 92 min.
In French and Khmer with English subtitles
Q&A with Marianne Hirsch and Leo Spitzer 

Register here: https://events.columbia.edu/cal/event/showEventMore.rdo

  • Climate Change and Societal Impacts
When/Time: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Where: The Forum at Columbia University, 601 W. 125th St., New York, NY 10027

Room/Area: Auditorium

Climate Change and Societal Impacts: Where We've Been, Where We Are, and Where We Are Going

Summer 2023 saw unprecedented temperatures and weather events across the globe. July was the hottest month on record. Deadly heat waves, massive wildfires, and flooding impacted communities here in the United States and around the world. Severe weather is becoming increasingly commonplace, resulting in loss of life, economic damage, food shortages, and forced climate-related migration. On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, the Columbia Climate School invites you to join us for an important conversation about climate change, the drivers behind these and other worrying trends, and what it all means for our collective future.

Please join us for a unique opportunity to hear from leading experts on climate change and disaster resilience and to ask your questions.

Register here: https://events.columbia.edu/cal/event/showEventMore.rdo 

Recommendation of the Week

Marc Andreessen: How Risk Taking, Innovation & Artificial Intelligence Transform Human Experience | Huberman Lab Podcast

In this episode, Huberman Lab Podcast hosts Marc Andreessen, the legendary software innovator who co-created the internet browser Mosaic, co-founded Netscape, and is now at Andreessen Horowitz — a venture capital firm that finds and brings to life technologies that transform humanity. They discuss what it takes to be a true innovator, including the personality traits required, the role of environment and the support systems needed to bring revolutionary ideas to fruition. They also discuss artificial intelligence (AI) and Marc’s stance that soon everyone will use AI as their personalized coach and guide for making decisions about their health, relationships, finances and more — all of which he believes will greatly enhance our quality of life. Listen their conversation here as they delve into nuclear power, gene editing, public trust, universities, politics, and AI regulation.

EPD Office Hours 

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