Honors students meet with top policy experts in DC

From September 13-19, 2015, CDDRL honors students attended the annual Honors College in Washington, D.C., gaining firsthand exposure to how the federal government, policy organizations and think tanks work to advance democracy and development around the world.

Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to learn about the government's vision for democracy at the State Department and the National Security Council. The Honors College agenda also included visits to regional organizations such as the Asia Institute, the Inter-American Dialogue and the Tahrir Institute for the Middle East Policy, where students were able to get a sense of how policy is implemented on the ground.

Scholars at the World Bank and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies provided an academic view of development, while speakers at Freedom House and the National Endowment for Democracy explain the challenges and advantages of empowering local democratic activists, particularly in countries hostile to democracy. This year, the students also had the privilege of meeting Gayle Smith, President Obama's nominee to lead the United States Agency for International Development.

CDDRL's Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Honors Program aims to provide an opportunity for eligible seniors focusing on democracy, economic development, and rule of law subjects in any university department to earn honors in democracy, development, and rule of law (DDRL). Beyond Honors College, students also meet weekly as a group and with advisors to develop their honors theses. This year's Honors College was led by Steve Stedman, director the honors program, alongside CDDRL scholars Francis Fukuyama and Larry Diamond. To view student testimonials and photos from this year's honors college, see below.

Photo Album

Student Testimonials

"I had never spent a significant amount of time in D.C. before honors college. Throughout the entire week I was amazed as I realized that there is an entire city that is passionate about interests similar to mine. After meeting some influential and motivating people, I feel compelled to work in D.C. at some point in my future."

-Hannah Potter

"Even though I had already spent a lot of time in D.C., spending a week there with CDDRL faculty and students showed me a side of the city I hadn't experienced before. Meeting with senior staff at think tanks, nonprofits, academic institutions and government agencies helped me understand how the academic concepts I've learned at Stanford are actually applied by people working to promote democracy and development around the world."

-Zachary Sorensen

"One thing that was really amazing about Honors College was the ability to explore D.C., even beyond meeting with leaders in the fields of democracy and development. We were able to walk around and see what an interesting, historical, and hip city D.C. actually is. One morning, my roommate on the trip, Hannah Potter, and I took a run down to the Georgetown Waterfront and explored the beautiful walkway there.

-Hadley Reid

"The CDDRL Honor's Program trip to Washington, D.C., was a unique opportunity to experience many different facets of policy-making and academia in the United States. From think tanks to government agencies, I was fascinated by the plethora of ways in which I can work in the realm of democracy and development."

-Hannah Meropol

To find out more about CDDRL's Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Honors Program, please click here. Applications for our 2016-2017 cohort of honors students will be due in February 2016.

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