TESTEMONIES

23/03/2015 12:43

WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT CIMS:

OLIVER WYCKOFF

CIMS: Land reform is a pressing issue in many parts of the world and I have studied land reform in my global development in the political south class here at Beloit. In my class, we worked on a case study regarding South African land reform, particularly the recent Supreme Court case. We also studied land reform within South and Central America. This issue particularly interests me, especially in regards to the genocide. Hernando De Soto recently spoke at Beloit and he stressed the importance of property rights in regards to development. I am especially interested in CIMS because of the implications of land loss on development, and its relationship to the genocide.

ANDREA/ANDI Neihaus

CIMS because of their work with conflict management and maintaining peace in communities. I am also hoping that my work planning programs, writing for my organization's newsletter, my experience teaching adults in China and my basic understanding of computers will all come in handy to CIMS.

Andrea (Andi) Niehaus

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1168 East Court Street, Iowa City, IA knee_house@yahoo.com 319.936.1570

Relevant Work Experience

The Iowa United Nations Association 2009-Present Iowa City, IA

Co-Director

§ Recruit and oversee volunteers and interns

§ Develop volunteer job descriptions and volunteer training program

§ Plan and implement programs relevant to the United Nations

§ Encourage community involvement and visibility

§ Research, prepare and present at events

§ Write press releases and op-ed pieces

The Art Guild of Burlington 2007-2008 Burlington, IA

Administrative Assistant

§ Oversaw membership database

§ Coordinated volunteers

§ Managed the gift shop

§ Researched permanent collection and artists

§ Contributed to monthly newsletters

§ Greeted visitors during regular hours and at openings

World Link Education/Real Life English 2006-2007 Beijing, China

English Language Trainer

§ Prepared lesson plans that incorporated grammar, vocabulary, speaking and listening drills for students that ranged in age from 15 to 50, ability level from total beginner to advanced, in classes that ranged from one-on-ones to 25 students

§ Organized curriculum and taught corporate English classes to Crossbow employees

§ Organized “English Corner” Autumn Moon Festival event attended by 150 students at all levels of fluency

§ Prepared and presented lectures on teaching techniques

§ Represented Real Life English at the Beijing job fair

Education

The University of Iowa Graduated 2005 Iowa City, IA

Bachelor of Arts with honors, Political Science

§ Overall GPA 3.5; Major GPA 3.7

§ Areas of emphasis in International Relations and the Politics of Developing Areas

§ Honors thesis exploring Taiwanese National Identity

§ Minor in History

§ Internship at the 2004 Democratic National Convention

§ Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars

Volunteer Activities

§ Table to Table volunteer 2009

§ Delegate for Obama at the district, county and state levels 2008

§ Obama for America Volunteer 2008

§ Volunteer tutor in Psychology, Sociology, and Rhetoric 2008

§ Organized silent auction fundraiser for XinXin Migrant School in Beijing 2007

Oliver Wyckoff

1908 N 46^th St. Seattle, WA 98103

206-271-8191

oliverwyckoff@studentunion.org

Education

The Center School, Graduated 2008 Seattle, WA

Ø National Honors Society

Ø Founding Member of SUPER(Student Union for Progressive Education Reform) Seattle, WA

Ø Co-President of the junior class

Beloit College, Class of 2012 – GPA 3.759 Beloit, WI

Ø Dean’s list

Work Experience

Canvassing For Children International with Dialogue Direct, Summer 2009 Seattle, WA

Grill Cook, Chef’s Assistant, Beloit College, Fall 2008 – Spring 2009, Fall 2009 Beloit, WI

Ø Employee of the week

Teen Supervisor, Saint Marks Childcare, 2007-2008 Seattle WA

Ø Mentor teen care-givers

Ø Participate in the hiring process

Childcare Provider, Saint Marks Childcare, 2003 – 2008 Seattle, WA

Intern for Don Miles, spring and summer, 2007 Zimmer Gunsel Frasca, Seattle, WA

Ø Assisted Mr. Miles to coordinate and organize the great places symposium

Volunteer Experience

Belfast Representative, Ceramics Club, Fall 2009 Beloit, WI

Ø Belfast is the financial committee of the Beloit Student Congress

Goldkey, Academic year 08-09, Fall 09 Beloit, WI

Ø Student hosting

Seeds of Compassion, Volunteer, April 14 Seattle, WA

Ø An event that included the Dali Lama, Desmond Tutu

and other leaders of compassion

Mission and Strategy Committee, St. Mark’s Cathedral, Fall 2007 Seattle, WA

Ø Refined mission statement

Ø Deliberated important function of the Cathedral

Mayor’s Youth Council, Fall 2006 to Spring 2007 Seattle, WA

Ø Organized community meetings targeting youth

Ø Presented findings to the Mayor

Youth Representative, Diocesan Convention, Fall 2007 Olympia, WA

Ø Discussed and Voted on legislation regarding the Diocese of Olympia

International Education:

Scholarship to Study Photography in Morocco, Summer 2007

Ø Selected for a State Department grant

Ø Photography shown in the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA

and Villa de Artes, Rabat, Morocco

Independent Project, Summer 2006 Costa Rica

Ø Studied alternative building styles and materials at a sustainable ranch

Ø Presented project to school

KHALED FAYYAD:

My defining characteristics are mainly a product of having grown up in Jerusalem as a Palestinian, while attending an international school there. I have always enjoyed learning about human rights, peace conflict and justice issues. While in high school, I participated in Model United Nations conferences, allowing me to travel to countries like Paris, England and Turkey. I have now completed my first 2 years at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Government, Philosophy and International Relations. After I graduate, I plan on attending Law school in the United States, concentrating specifically on comparative International law.

Why are you interested in participating in this program? What do you hope to experience and learn? What do you hope to bring to the team that will participate in the program with you?

I am a firm advocate of human rights, be it in Palestine, Rwanda or anywhere else in the world where they are unfairly being breached. I hope that I will benefit from this experience by learning more about human rights issues and conflict resolution. I also hope that I’ll be able to make a positive contribution to the team by connecting with each individual on concerns that we share and by encouraging further outreach on those who are misinformed pr misguided on issues that I deeply care for and what to see solved.

What are your current goals in life? What do you hope to be doing in 5 years? How does that relate to the goals of this program?

I plan on graduating in May 2011 and going directly to law school that fall. In 5 years time, I hope to be practicing International law in Palestine, as it relates to conflict resolution and human rights.

How much do you know about Rwanda? What are your expectations of what the country will be like?

Of course, the first thing that comes to my mind is the genocide of 1994. I don’t know much about the culture of the people of Rwanda but I am expecting that it will be a great place to visit, as it is known for its beautiful nature and its welcoming people. The first time I ever really became interested in learning more about Rwanda was when I watched the movie ‘Hotel Rwanda’ which depicted the genocide in a way that compelled me to try and learn more about it. I know that the conflict was preceded by years of oppression on the base of ethnicity, mainly the Hutus and Tutsis. I expect that today, Rwanda is a peaceful country where progress seems promising yet needs continuous renewed efforts to make sure that the development process isn’t stalled.

BIOGRAPHIES if available:

Oliver Wyckoff is currently a sophomore at Beloit College, working towards a double major in international relations and psychology. Particularly, he is interested in international aid and development and the psychological aspects of learning. Compassion and service are two key components in Oliver’s life; Oliver has practiced Aikido for 8 years, a nonviolent martial art that stresses peace and harmony, served on the Mayor’s Youth Council in Seattle during high school, and is presently volunteering at a homeless shelter in Beloit catering to homeless families. Currently, Oliver hopes to become a Foreign Service Officer within the State Department.

Andrea Niehaus received her Bachelor's degree with honors from the University of Iowa in Political Science with two areas of emphasis: International Relations and Developing Areas. After spending time in China teaching English, Andrea returned to the US and pursued a career in non profit. She is currently the Co-Director of the Iowa United Nations Association, a non profit organization committed to educating and motivating Iowans to support the United Nations. Through her work, Andrea has been able to engage the public on a wide variety of international issues, including human rights.