Under the motto “Looking Back, Moving Forward”, scholars and students presented on a variety of topics. Japan and China dominated the discussions, but Central and Southeast Asia were equally represented.

On Friday and Saturday evening, panelists and discussants enjoyed MIIS hospitality through the performance of Takeo drummers and Chinese instrumental musicians.

The center supports and promotes the close link between clean oceans and economic growth as part of a national strategy that was introduced by President Clinton. The preservation of the U.S. Great Lakes and U.S. coasts sustains jobs and contributes to the economy in these regions. The gains speak for themselves but more work needs to be done. Therefore, the continuity of the work and efforts of the Center for the Blue Economy are necessary and valuable.

The second presentation was for the members of the Indian American Muslim Council. Four students and Prof. Iyer presented at the webinar which was attended by over 50 members all over the US and was titled Gandhi’s Gujarat or Modi’s Gujarat?: Reflections from the Field. 

Prof. Iyer continues her commitment to Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding through her Center for Conflict Studies.

Her participation in the NET Impact conference in 2011 in Portland as part of the active NET Impact MIIS chapter exposed her to the beauty of the city as a major ”hotspot for sustainable thinking.”

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Catherine is the director of communications and programs for this non-profit organization, which focuses on inspiring behavior change and training farmers in Malawi, a country with extreme levels of deforestation and sustained issues of malnutrition. She says her undergraduate studies and Peace Corps experience came together perfectly at the International Environmental Policy program at the Monterey Institute. “I was drawn to the field, and agriculture specifically, because it joins two issues that I am passionate about, human development and protecting the environment.”

Searching for an internship that would give her hands-on farming experience, Catherine traveled to Malawi to work with Kusamala after graduating from MIIS in the spring of 2012. “Permaculture is a type of agriculture that tries to mimic natural ecosystems,” she says and explains that permaculture is really a way of thinking that involves ethical consideration, diversification of crops and eco-building. Before long, Catherine had risen to a position of leadership designing and implementing a successful program that involves hiring and training locals to build mini-demonstrations around their homes.

“The IEP coursework gave me a strong background and understanding of environmental issues,” Catherine says of her MIIS education, adding that it was very valuable to be able to add coursework in development such as the Development Project Management Institute and a grant-writing class with Professor Alfredo Ortiz. “I find myself using practical references to those classes regularly.” A California native, Catherine hopes to return to the Bay Area when her two-year contract is up at the end of the year to apply her skills and knowledge to sustainable agricultural issues back home.

Catherine also recently co-authored an article about permaculture in Malawi that was published by The Guardian.

Inspired by on-the-ground experience in Senegal and Zimbabwe and equipped with a degree from MIIS, Melanie  set out to find tools for sustainable social change.  Empowerment WORKS promotes education, art and technology for people to achieve their full potential.

Volunteers are welcome!