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2007 Internship Award Recipients

Honorable Paul Charles Casey Internship Award Recipients 2007

Katherine Williams (U2, International Development Studies and History) spent three months in Kenya interning with the Indigenous Information Network (IIN). IIN works to redress the ways in which Indigenous and Minority Peoples have been marginalized by the mainstream development agenda, particularly due to their ways of life as nomadic pastoralists or hunters and gatherers. Katherine has experience working with indigenous issues, and is involved with a variety of extra-curricular activities from playing saxophone in award-winning bands to volunteering with the Green Party. Her interest in gender issues and indigenous groups were reinforced by IIN’s wide range of grassroots projects. To read Katherine Williams’ internship report, please click here.

Laura Kirshner (U2, Political Science, Philosophy and Economics) interned for three months at Fairvote in Washington, D.C., an organization which researches and advocates for American electoral reform, representation, and democracy.  Laura has been heavily involved in activities around campus, such as Think Pink, Walksafe and the Political Issues Club. She is also the recipient of the Montreal Jewish Experience/Hillel Leadership Fellowship. Her experience at Fairvote exposed her to legal aspects of electoral reform, which will prove invaluable to her pursuit of a law degree. To read Laura Kirshner’s internship report, please click here.

David Tarr & Gisele Chevrefils Arts Internship Award Recipients 2007

Laura Pilozzi-Edmonds (U2, Biomedical Sciences, Social Studies of Medicine and African Studies) had a three-month internship with Liverpool VCT Care and Testing (LVCT), a NGO in Nairobi, Kenya. LVCT works on HIV/AIDS policy formulation in Kenya to provide quality prevention, care, and treatment services to those affected by HIV. Laura is an exceptional student and an active member in many extra-curricular activities.  She used her research skills in LVCT’s ongoing work on HIV assessment, nutrition in HIV counseling, and youth involvement. To read Laura Pilozzi-Edmonds’ internship report, please click here.

Zenobia Azeem (U2, International Development Studies and Political Science) interned at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) this summer. HRCP is based out of Lahore and works towards protecting and upholding women’s rights. Zenobia is interested in the connection between human rights, civil society, and development, with a particular emphasis on the plight of women in the Muslim World. She plans to use her extensive international development and human rights experience to work towards a law degree in human rights and constitutional law. To read Zenobia Azeem’s internship report, please click here.

Roland Arts Summer Internship Award Recipients 2007

Brendan Clarke (U2, Political Science and Hispanic Literature and Culture) interned at the Social Justice Committee (SJC) in Montreal.  A non-profit organization, the SJC works to expose the root causes of poverty, human rights abuse, economic injustice, and environmental degradation in developing countries. Brendan is an exceptional writer and an accomplished student. He is a member of the Golden Key International Honours Society, and one of his papers was published in the Pearson House Review. Brendan sees this internship as having been an important stepping stone in building his career.  He hopes to join the U.S. Peace Corps, where he will use his knowledge and skills to work for peace and development in Latin America. To read Brendan Clarke’s internship report, please click here.

Dana MacLean (U2, Sociology and East Asian Language and Literature) interned this summer at Africa Now in Kenya. Africa Now is an international NGO working for sustainable wealth creation and improved community well-being through the provision of loans and the promotion of ethical trade and training in business skills and market knowledge. Dana has lived abroad for several years and her experience working in intercultural settings was an asset to her internship. A highly motivated student, Dana was involved in the Women’s Village Banks project, which supplies families with financial security. She brings back knowledge and expertise which will allow her to further contribute to the global community. To read Dana MacLean’s internship report, please click here.

Kristen McNeill (U2, International Development Studies and Hispanic languages) had a three-month internship with the Indigenous Information Network (IIN) based out of Nairobi, Kenya. IIN works to redress the ways in which Indigenous and Minority Peoples have been marginalized by the mainstream development agenda, particularly due to their ways of life as nomadic pastoralists or hunters and gatherers. Kristen has an excellent academic record and broad experience as a volunteer. In 2006 she interned with Amnesty International in Malaysia. At IIN, Kristen participated in the preservation of valuable alternative lifestyles and the protection of the rights of indigenous people. To read Kristen McNeill’s internship report, please click here.

Sara Freeman (U3, History and Hispanic Studies) interned with the Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) in London. LAWRS addresses the lack of support services for Latin American women and their dependants in London. The organization’s aim is to help Latin American women defend and secure their right to lead fuller and more autonomous lives. Having volunteered abroad, Sara has extensive experience with issues facing both women and Latin America. At LAWRS, she conducted research that she will use towards her Hispanic Studies Honours’ thesis.  The experience is invaluable to her work as Resources Coordinator and executive committee member of Community Outreach for Immigrants (COFI) in Montreal. To read Sara Freeman’s internship report, please click here.

Stefan Dimitriadis (U2, Economics and International Development Studies) interned for the Mediterranean Agronomical Institute of Chania (MAICh) in Greece for three months.  The Institute conducts research on the economics and management of agriculture. Stefan was initially exposed to these issues growing up on an olive farm in Greece. He has won awards for both his academic achievements and his work in international, environmental, and community service. Stefan believes his generation must be involved in redefining the ends of development economics and he saw this internship as an opportunity to help do so. To read Stefan Dimitriadis’ internship report, please click here.

Allan A. Hodgson Arts Internship Award Recipients 2007

Daniel Gelfer (U3, International Development Studies and Religious Studies) interned at the Association for India’s Development (AID) for three months, in Tamil Nadu, India. AID is a grassroots organization currently dealing with a learning-quality crisis in schools across the region. Daniel has extensive international and volunteer experience, and shared what he learned at McGill in Tamil Nadu. To read Daniel Gelfer’s internship report, please click here.

Michael Dineen (U3, Economics, Finance and International Development Studies) interned with Africa Now in Kisumu, Kenya this summer. Africa Now is an international NGO working for sustainable wealth creation and improved community well-being through the provision of loans, and the promotion of ethical trade and training in business skills and market knowledge. Michael is an accomplished athlete, writer, and student, and has applied his fascination with the developing world to a focus on economic development in his studies. This field experience in Kenya allowed him to see the principles that he studied at work in a rural setting. Michael plans to pursue a career in economic development policymaking. To read Michael Dineen’s internship report, please click here.

Tania Zouikin Internship Award in International Development Recipients 2007

Alyssa Clutterbuck (U2, Sociology and International Development Studies) spent three months as an intern at the Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE) in Ghana. WISE is a NGO dedicated to providing counseling and other psychosocial support services to abused women and children.  Alyssa has an excellent academic record, and a keen interest in Ghanaian women’s issues. With extensive volunteer and leadership experience with issues of racism and domestic violence, the grassroots approach of this organization spoke to Alyssa’s desire to contribute to social justice and change. To Alyssa Clutterbuck’s internship report, please click here.

Raissa Fabregas Robles Gil (U2, Economics, Math and Political Science) interned this summer at Hela Faida Ltd, a micro-credit institution which aims to achieve sustainable development in Kenya. Motivated by a fascination with the workings of micro-finance and a desire to have a positive impact on society, Raissa, a native of Mexico, hopes to eventually take the skills she learnt back home, where she sees great potential for the implementation of micro-finance. To read Raissa Fabregas Robles Gil’s internship report, please click here.

Tamsyn Farr (U2, International Development Studies and Psychology) interned this summer at the Ghana Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in Accra, Ghana. CHRAJ is a constitutional commission working to enhance the scale of good governance, democracy, integrity, peace and social development. It promotes, protects and enforces fundamental human rights and freedoms and administrative justice for all persons in Ghana. Tamsyn has previous experience working in Ghana, and is a research assistant and an editorial board member of Undercurrent: Canadian Undergraduate Journal of Development Studies. Tamsyn also founded the McGill Association for Psychology and International Development Studies. At CHRAJ, Tamsyn hopes to gain a personal appreciation of the issues faced by the mentally ill in the developing world, while deepening her understanding of the interaction between mental health, human rights, and legislation. To read Tamsyn Farr’s internship report, please click here.

The MacKinnon Family Internship Award 2007

Elizabeth Sully (U2, International Development Studies and Political Science) interned for three months this summer at Liverpool VCT Care and Treatment (LVCT). LVCT works with HIV/AIDS issues in Kenya. Elizabeth has experience working in Africa, Latin America, and Montreal in the field of health and youth. She has won scholarships and awards based on her academic and extracurricular involvement. Interning with LVCT was an important step for Elizabeth to further her understanding of international development and health policy formation. It also allowed her to develop her engagement in activities advancing social justice. To read Elizabeth Sully’s internship report, please click here.

Sarah Fortin-Langelier (U3, BCom, Desautels Faculty of Management, Global Strategic Marketing and Management) interned at Fundación IDEAS – Instituto de Desarrollo Educativo y Acción Social, in Cordoba, Argentina for three months. The organization’s mission is to work towards a more just and equitable society where knowledge is a human right and accessible to all. On this internship, Sarah met people who share in her passion for cross-cultural communication. This helped her gather the necessary knowledge to actively work towards greater collaboration and equity between cultures in the corporate world. This internship provided Sarah with an opportunity to get a fresh perspective on the daily challenges faced by developing communities. To read Sarah Fortin-Langelier’s internship report, please click here.

Faculty of Arts Internship Award 2007

Deborah Hayek (U2, Anthropology and Social Studies of Medicine) interned at the Isha Vidhya Foundation in India this summer. The Isha Foundation is a non-profit, international public service organization dedicated to advancing physical, mental, and spiritual health for all human beings. Deborah has taught English in a women’s shelter in Montreal and rural schools in Uganda. She has also volunteered with the Canadian Human Rights Foundation. At Isha, Deborah learned about the different methods of language acquisition, (including visual, auditory, tactile or olfactory stimuli), of Isha’s education programs. Deborah valued Isha’s holistic, grassroots and culturally sensitive approach to rural development. To read Deborah’s internship report, please click here.

Eadaoin Quinn (U2, International Development Studies and Biology) interned this summer at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institution (STRI) in Panama. STRI’s goal is to increase public understanding of Panama’s past and present coastal environments and to promote their conservation. Eadaoin has been involved in a wide variety of volunteer work. She has experience with a hospital and day-care center in Ecuador, the McGill Cross Country and Track Team, Best Buddies and Young Democrats in New Jersey. At STRI, she learned about the importance of coral reefs in the ecosystem and she hopes this first-hand exposure will significantly influence her career path. To read Eadaoin Quinn’s internship report, please click here.

Laurel Ovenden (U2, Art History and Cultural Studies) interned this summer at the Arthouse Gallery in Vancouver.  The Gallery’s mandate is to curate socially responsible art by emerging local artists. The internship allowed Laurel to use her knowledge, gained through her focus on Museum Studies, to experience first-hand the design and implementation of an art exhibit. Laurel is interested in Aboriginal issues, Canadian culture, and the use of art in public spaces. This internship was an invaluable experience that gave her the opportunity to gain perspective on Canada’s art industry. To read Laurel Ovenden’s internship report, please click here.

Matthew Brown (U2, English Literature and Economics) interned this summer at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD Ghana) in Accra, Ghana. The Center is dedicated to the promotion of society and government based on the rule of law and integrity in public administration. Matthew has written for the McGill Red Herring, chaired the Secondary School United Nations Symposium, and been a delegate to the National Collegiate Security Conference and the Canadian International United Nations. Matthew hopes to take the lessons learned at CDD Ghana and apply them to a future career in public policy at the UN. To read Matthew Brown’s internship report, please click here.

Melanie Hadida (U3, International Development Studies, Women’s Studies and World Religions) interned this summer at the Sambhavna Trust Clinic, in India. Run by doctors, scientists and social workers, Sambhava Trust treats the approximately 120,000-150,000 survivors of the chemical disaster in Bhopal and others who suffer from the health ramifications of contaminated water. The clinic employs indigenous and holistic methods of treatment, with special emphasis on women’s health.  Melanie has volunteered with Action Refuge Montreal, the Montreal Jewish National Fund, and the Ottawa Food Bank. Committed to pursuing a career in the development field, this internship allowed Melanie to gain insight and valuable experience while working in a different cultural and geographical setting. To read Melanie Hadida’s internship report, please click here.

Melodie Vaury (U2, Political Science and Economics) interned this summer at Nord Sud XXI in Geneva. Nord Sud XXI is an NGO dedicated to the defence of human rights, with consultative status to the economic and social committee of the UN (ECOSOC). With significant international experience, Melodie has dedicated much time to the cause of human rights and anti-violence with organizations such as Contrat de Ville in France, and Refuge Juan Moreno, an organization that houses women and children seeking asylum in Canada. Melodie believes everyone should defend democracy and human rights, and she hopes to continue this work after her studies. To read Melodie Vaury’s internship report, please click here.

Nithya Vijayakumar (U2, Political Science and Geography) interned this summer at Association for India’s Development (AID). AID is a grassroots organization currently dealing with the learning-quality crisis in schools across the region. With extensive experience working at CKUT, a community radio station in Montreal, Nithya worked with AID to explore policy issues and sustainability of community radio initiatives. Nithya is interested in doing further research on the relationship between community broadcasting, civil society, and democracy. This internship gave her first-hand knowledge of broadcasting in developing areas. To read Nithya Vijayakumar’s internship report, please click here.

Sophia Boutillier (U2, International Development Studies and Education) interned at Africa SOMA in Kenya this summer for three months. This NGO aims to improve the standards of education in Kenya in the face of poverty and AIDS.  The internship provided Sophia with material for her Honours thesis, and a realistic point of comparative analysis for discussing development theories. She gained an understanding of the complexities of community development, as well as the lives of Maasai pastoralists.  Sophia envisions a career in international development. To read Sophia Boutilier’s internship report, please click here.

Victoria Stive (U2, East Asian Studies and Political Science) interned for two months at Invest Hong Kong in Paris, an investment promotion agency affiliated with the government of Hong Kong. Victoria worked on market research, gathering information on French company development plans and Asia’s fiscal needs. This internship contributed to Victoria’s Honours thesis and helped her develop the skills necessary for a future career in Asian economics. To read Victoria Stive’s internship report, please click here.

Yael Wexler (U2, Cultural Studies and Russian Civilization and Culture) interned this summer at the International Institute for Justice and Development (IIJD) in Boston. IIJD’s goal is to confront the systemic weaknesses in legal systems that result in sustained poverty, disenfranchisement, and underdevelopment in Africa. Yael has experience working with organizations such as American Jewish World Service in the Ukraine and volunteering with the Salam Balaak Trust Foundation in India. She was also the Canadian representative to the International Youth Development Exchange in Japan. Yael is committed to social activism, democratic empowerment, and human rights. This summer, Yael learned the pace, pattern and skills required to run an international NGO. To read Yael Wexler’s internship report, please click here.

The Dean of Arts Award 2007

Adam Heller (U2, Political Science) spent two months as an intern for the Center for Democratic Development Ghana (CDD Ghana). The Center’s main mission is to promote democracy, good governance, and the development of a liberal economic environment in Ghana and Africa in general. As an accomplished scholar, volunteer, and athlete, Adam brought diverse experiences and an enthusiasm for politics and development to CDD, whose mandate corresponds to his academic focus. He hopes to see these ideas translate into action, progress, and tangible gains.

Allison Witter (U2, International Development Studies, Economics, Hispanic Studies) interned for two months at the Canadian Consulate and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Guadalajara, Mexico.The Consulate in Guadalajara is a micro-mission, providing regular consular services as well as support to Canadian business clients.  Allison’s travel experience, academic excellence, fluency in Spanish, and interest in North-South relations were asset to both internships. She enjoyed exploring the options for Canadian representation and investment abroad. While in Mexico, Allison also conducted research for her Honours thesis. To read Allison Witter’s internship report, please click here.

Anna Richards (U2, Political Science and Sociology) interned at the Indigenous Information Network (IIN) in Kenya for three months.  IIN works to redress the ways in which indigenous and minority peoples have been marginalized by the mainstream development agenda, particularly due to their ways of life as nomadic pastoralists or hunters and gatherers. Anna solidified her interest in helping marginalized people through this internship and her past employment, education, involvement with NGOs such as End Poverty Now and Borderless World Volunteers, and her participation in the Millennium Promise Conference 2006. At IIN, she put her personal leadership skills to use in both fieldwork involving indigenous rights around Kenya, and specifically at a rural indigenous girls’ school. To read Anna Richards’ internship report, please click here.

Asma Ishak (U2, Political Science and World Religions) interned for two months in Montreal this summer with the Social Justice Committee (SJC), a non-profit organization that works to expose the root causes of poverty, human rights abuse, economic injustice, and environmental degradation in developing countries. Asma is the recipient of many awards of excellence for her academic achievements and has many interests, ranging from global environmental issues, to voter turnout, literature and traveling. Fueled by a genuine desire to better the human condition, Asma aspires to pursue a career in NGO work upon completion of her degree. To read Asma Ishak’s internship report, please click here.

Jessika Tremblay (U3, Anthropology and African Studies) spent three months interning with Africa SOMA, an organization focused on improving the standards of education in the face of poverty and AIDS in Kenya.  As a cadet leader, she has strong leadership qualities, as well as experience in planning and conducting courses.  Interested in writing about the impact of education and community-based development on land-rights lobbying among marginalized groups, this internship has given her the opportunity to narrow her academic interests, facilitating her path to graduate studies. To read Jessika Tremblay’s internship report, please click here.

Kim McGrath (U2, Environment and Development, and International Development Studies) interned with the Resource Conflict Institute (RECONCILE) for three months. RECONCILE is a regional policy research and advocacy NGO based in Nakuru, Kenya. The Institute is involved in the sustainable management of environment and natural resources. Kim’s extensive volunteer experience with Engineers Without Borders, the “Rooftop Gardens Project” run by Alternatives and Santropol Roulant, as well as her travel experience through Europe and South America, proved an asset to her work with RECONCILE.  Kim plans a career working as an international consultant dealing with conflict resolution connected with disputed natural resources. To read Kim McGrath’s report on her internship experience, please click here.

Laura Damecour (U2, Sociology and International Development Studies) interned this summer at the International Longevity Center (ILC) and La Fondation Nationale de Gerontologie (FNG) in Paris. Both organizations are concerned with elderly populations and practices that make intergenerational relations more cohesive and effective through the ageing process. Laura has won awards for both her academic and extra-curricular activities. She has volunteered at organizations such as Project Go McGill and Santropol Roulant, demonstrating great responsibility, leadership, and initiative. This internship gave Laura the hands-on experience necessary to understand the stigma attached to ageing and to work towards modifying the ways in which the elderly are perceived and treated. To read Laura Damecour’s internship report, please click here.

Remissa Hirji (U2, International Development Studies and Economics) stayed in Accra, Ghana, for three months as an intern with the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). CHRAJ is a constitutional commission with a mandate to enhance the scale of good governance, democracy, integrity, peace, and social development by promoting, protecting, and enforcing fundamental human rights, freedoms, and administrative justice for all persons in Ghana. Remissa has volunteered with both the McGill Ismaili Students Association and the Journalists for Human Rights, McGill Chapter. Working at CHRAJ provided Remissa with hands-on experience in human rights monitoring. Remissa plans a future career as a human rights lawyer. To read Remissa Hirji’s internship report, please click here.

Vivien Carli (U2, International Development Studies and Economics) interned for three months with the Indigenous Movement for Peace and Conflict Transformation (IMPACT). IMPACT is a NGO based in the Laikipia region of Kenya. This organization addresses the underlying causes of conflict, poverty, social and policy exclusion, and human rights abuses among the pastoralist communities of Kenya, while strengthening their capacity to influence national policies. Vivien has demonstrated a strong commitment to international issues, exemplified in her work with the Social Justice Committee, the Control Arms Campaign, One World One Campus and McGill Women in House. At IMPACT, Vivien gained an understanding of the partnerships between organizations involved in peace-building, the effectiveness of their strategies, and the use of political pressure as a means of advancing rights for Kenyans. To read Vivien Carli’s internship report, please click here.

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2007 Internship Award Recipients
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