Katie, Masters in Development and Globalization,
Mines Action Canada, Vietnam,
Association for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (AEPD)
In the three months of my internship, I have been able to work on a number of interesting projects and may have even found a new path for myself! My undergraduate degree had a small focus on humanitarian assistance which, while interesting, I always associated with high levels of stress and meeting immediate needs on the ground. While this is certainly a component of humanitarian assistance, there are steps that come after the immediate emergency, including the provision of services for survivors as well as return and reintegration into the community. Particularly in conflict, the violence can continue long after the fighting ends. At Mines Action Canada, I have been able to learn about the devastating impacts of explosive remnants of war and the great needs of affected communities.
I have struggled in the past to find a place for myself and my interest in disability in the Global South within the development community – while the rights of persons with disabilities are a pressing issue it is often overlooked and under-examined. Within humanitarian assistance and specifically in post-conflict settings, disability takes up far more space in the conversation. While my interests in disability go beyond physical impairments, the potential to work on programs assisting persons with physical disabilities is more realistic than other forms of disability. I am excited to have found more opportunity for myself within this experience and my newly broadened horizons have me excited for what my future holds!