Muskie Fellows Propose Solutions to Global Issues at Clinton Conference

Two Muskie fellows recently shared project proposals to improve education and health with hundreds of colleagues at a prominent conference hosted by former President Bill Clinton. 

Ekaterine Danelia, a Georgian fellow studying international affairs at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, focused on giving Georgian youth global citizenship education. Yuliya Serdyuchenko, an economics fellow from Ukraine at Western Illinois University, looked at providing free polio vaccinations for children in Pakistan.

“It is about the challenge of accomplishing something,” said Serdyuchenko, who used her experience working for the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce to coordinate a group of classmates for the project. “I want to see if I can create change.”

The two fellows presented at this year’s annual Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) conference in San Diego, California, thanks in part to a Conference Participation Award from the Muskie program. Conference officials selected applicants who demonstrated a strong commitment to planning and carrying out effective solutions to global issues. During a keynote address, Clinton praised the group for their work.

“He was very motivating and inspiring,” said Danelia. “Even after his presidency, he is still doing something that he thinks is meaningful.”

While planning her proposal, Danelia wanted to give youth a more global perspective on peace and conflict. Drawing on a course she took in communication and negotiation, she built a conflict resolution exercise into her plan to empower youth. She developed additional curricula for the project and now seeks an implementing partner organization in Georgia.

After working for six years on civic education projects, Danelia took a different approach this time around. “What I’ve learned is that most civic education is concerned with how to improve a person as a good citizen of a particular society but not as much about being a global citizen. I think that improving this global mindset will lead to more understanding,” she said.

In addition to sharing and developing their proposals, the fellows gained new management and project implementation skills via CGI U training sessions. They networked with other young leaders at social events and packed lunches at the local food bank. “I took from it that you are not alone,” said Danelia. “So many people are thinking about how to make the world better.”

Both Serdyuchenko and Daniela are building on their experiences at CGI U to move forward with their proposed projects. With the help and inspiration of the CGI community, the Muskie fellows are poised to answer the call to action.

The Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, US Department of State, and implemented by IREX.