In the "news"

So not the most humble thing ever, but it seems I've been recognized a bit lately and thought I would share...
The first is a nice mention and photo in the AU School of International Service Newsletter about my summer in Liberia:
http://www.american.edu/sis/ipcr/upload/Oct-2011_FINAL.pdf

The next is the Newsletter put out by the NGO that I interned with last year... just an interview about my experience.

And the last is simply an advertisement for a panel I've been asked to speak on for Human Rights Week.

Please don't think I'm bragging (ok, maybe a little bit), but just wanted to share with the people I love what's all going on in my crazy life up here in Washington!

In Her Own Words: A Trip to Ivory Coast For those of you who don’t know our former volunteer Kate Krumrei, Kate is a second year graduate student in American University's Ethics, Peace and Global Affairs program. After volunteering with Ivorian Hope Charity, she took a visit to Ivory Coast this past August to discover the country on her own. We interviewed Kate to find out what traveling to Ivory Coast was like for her.             Kate (top row, center) poses with the DRC Staff 1. Why did you decide to visit Ivory Coast? Originally I wanted to spend my whole summer doing an internship in Ivory Coast, but with the post-election violence it was not possible. So I ended up interning with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) inLiberia on the border of Ivory Coast, working with Ivorian refugees. Then, as the fighting had subsided and the UN was offering flights from Man to Abidjan, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and observe the regional office of the NGO. 2. How long did you stay and where did you visit? I was in Liberia for 2.5 months and only in Ivory Coast for one week. 3. Who did you stay with? I was housed by the Danish Refugee Council in a guest house in Sannequellie, Man, and a colleague’s apartment in Abidjan. 4. What did you learn/what was the most surprising thing about your trip? Why was it surprising? I learned so much it’s hard to put into words. I learned about a people and a culture that previously was just a concept to me. I learned what it’s like to work for an NGO on the ground. I learned how dependency on aid agencies can have negative impacts on local life. I learned how Liberia continues to struggle even eight years after the end of the war – and how those continuing conditions make it even more difficult for Ivorian refugees to live and integrate into Liberian society. I think the most surprising thing for me was something very simple: the fact that Liberians eat rice every day for every meal. Many of them would say that if they don’t have rice, they don’t feel as though they’ve truly eaten. 5. What is your favorite memory of Ivory Coast? Going to a birthday party with my boss – her godson was turning two years old. We met at a small roadside restaurant and before I knew it there was music, dancing, drinking, LOTS of people, and LOTS of food! It was a great step into local culture and celebrations – and it was so nice to see people able to relax and enjoy each other, even in a tense political climate. 6. What didn't you like about your time there? The distrust among locals, the fear that still permeates, the bribes at the border...the pickup trucks filled with young men carrying guns in the back – even in Abidjan. I didn't like feeling like I could not communicate effectively. My French is almost non-existent and it was frustrating to not be able to express myself and on the other hand be able to truly listen, hear, and understand the Ivorians. 7. What is important for first time visitors to Ivory Coast to know? It is difficult to find ATMs that accept master card (that goes for all of West Africa!) so make sure you take a visa card! Make sure you have an address and/or phone number in the country to put on your immigration form, or you may run into some difficulty! 8. What makes Ivory Coast different from other countries? Ivory Coast stands out in West Africa for many reasons, but the most obvious is its infrastructure. After spending so much time in Liberia, I was shocked at the level of development in Ivory Coast, especially in Abidjan – an extremely modern city. The music, the food, and the emphasis on fashion are all qualities that make Ivory Coast unique. 9. Do you plan to visit again? If so what do you plan to do there? I may have the opportunity to return to conduct some research in Liberia during the spring semester before I graduate. If I were to have the opportunity to make a trip to Ivory Coast again, I would do it in a heartbeat! 10. Would you consider living in Ivory Coast? Why or why not? Yes, definitely! If I got a job there I would move there right after finishing my masters…it was a great experience and I believe there is a lot of peace-building work to be done there. I also believe that education will play a huge part in shaping the youth of Ivory Coast and I would enjoy being a part of that. Upcoming Events on the African Diaspora: The Africa Faith & Justice Network presents the Third Annual Fr. Bill Dyer Lecture Topic: Given Africa's Present Dangers, Is Democracy Relevant? Keynote Speaker: Nii Akuetteh, noted activist and panafricanist When: Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, 5:30 PM Where: Busboys and Poets, 5th and K St NW, Washington DC Please send RSVP to melaura@afjn.org

The AU Human Rights Council Presents This Year's 


Annual Human Rights Week


Strategies for Accomplishing Human Rights


Kate Fenner, Witness for Peace Documentarian
Monday, Nov 7, Butler Conference Room
Using the power of video to highlight human rights and migration issues in Mexico


Student Research Panel
Tuesday, Nov 8, Kay Center Lounge
Kate Krumrei: When does emergency end and development begin? Refugees and host communities in Liberia
Jonathan Dillon: Sexual identity, human rights, and conflict in Uganda
Rebecca Novick: Business and peace in Colombia and Mexico

Occupy DC
Wednesday, Nov 9, Ward 105
Key people discuss the latest developments and issues behind the movement


Alumni Panel
Thursday, Nov 10, Kay Center Lounge
Maryanne Yerkes, USAID
Professor Daryn Cambridge, AU


Dr. Renata Schiavo, Founder of Health Equity Initiative
Friday, Nov 11, Ward 304
Tool kit for improving public health


Each day 12pm-1pm. Lunch provided!

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