Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows Program
Information Session
Please join us for an information session about the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows Program on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 4 p.m. in B4 Thaw Hall.
About the CEIP Junior Fellows Program
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States. As one of the world’s leading think tanks specializing in international affairs, the Endowment conducts programs of research, discussion, publication and education. The Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment is designed to provide a substantive work experience for students who have a serious career interest in the area of international affairs. Approximately 8-10 students will be hired to work at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC on a full-time basis for a period of one year.
Junior Fellows provide research assistance to scholars working on Carnegie Endowment’s projects such as non-proliferation, democracy building, Middle East political reform, trade and environment, economics, international security, international economics, South Asian politics, China-related issues, and Russian and Eurasian affairs. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for books, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, activists, journalists and government officials. One junior fellow is also assigned to work on communications/outreach initiatives.
Applications are accepted only from graduating college seniors or individuals who have graduated within the past academic year. No one will be considered who has started graduate studies. Applicants who have completed a significant amount of coursework in the following areas are encouraged to apply:
International Affairs
Political Science
Economics
History
Russian, Chinese or Middle East studies or communications
Language and other skills may be required for certain assignments.
2009-2010 Projects
Democracy/Rule of Law – Political Science background preferred.
Middle East Studies – Native or near-native Arabic language skills required.
Nonproliferation
South Asian Studies – Strong math skills required in addition to background in international affairs or political science.
Energy and Climate Change - Quantitative skills required.
Chinese Studies – Mandarin Chinese reading skills a huge plus.
Chinese Economics - Mandarin Chinese essential. Strong Excel computation skills required.
Trade, Equity, and Development – Economics and quantitative background needed.
Russian/Eurasian Studies – Excellent Russian language skills required.
Central Asian Studies – Ability to read and translate in Central Asian language. Uzbek language skills most desirable.
International Economics
U.S. Role in the World
Application Process
All of the following must be submitted to Margaret Heely, B-4 Thaw Hall, no later than Friday, December 12, 2008:
Completed application form
Essay (one page or less) on why the student would like to become a junior fellow
Students should indicate their name on each page
A one- to two-page résumé (including telephone number, address, extra-curricular activities, and work experience)
Two recommendations, at least one of which should be from a professor of the student's major department
Transcript of undergraduate records (transcript may be unofficial and unsealed)
An essay of no more than three typewritten, double-spaced pages on the topic you are interested in researching as a Junior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment. The essay is intended to test skills in analysis, logic, and written expression. The essays are to be thought pieces, not research papers.
ESSAY TOPICS
Applicants must respond to the question pertaining to the program to which they are applying.
Democracy/Rule of Law Program. The U.S. administration should significantly downgrade the place of democracy promotion in the U.S. foreign policy relative to the last eight years. Do your agree of disagree and why?
Middle East Program. In the greater Middle East, the next U.S. administration will undoubtedly continue to face major challenges concerning the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, Iraq and Afghanistan, and Iran's nuclear ambitions. It will also face considerable additional challenges. Discuss some of these additional challenges and why you think they are important.
Nonproliferation Program. By the year 2015 do you think there will be more than the current nine countries with nuclear weapons? If so, which ones, and why? If not, why are people who fear this wrong?
Trade, Equity, and Development Program. The current round of globalization has been underway for about 25 years. Enough time has passes that the empirical evidence of its effects is beginning to accumulate. How do you assess the impact of globalization on developing countries? Is globalization good or bad for employment and for the poor? Why?
Russia/Eurasia Program. In the aftermath of the Russian-Georgian crisis of August 2008, the major U.S. Presidential candidates had differing proposals on how the U.S. should deal with the issue. What are the implications of these proposals for U.S.-Russian relations and for the broader international community?
Central Asia Program (see below for China Economics). Can China's authoritarian regime develop and project soft power than can compete against the Western liberal order? Please explain.
China Economics Program. China's success in economic development demonstrates that authoritarianism is probably necessary in promoting economic growth in poor countries. Do you agree? Why or why not?
South Asia Program. What is the best U.S. strategy for defeating terrorism emanating from Pakistan?
Energy & Climate Program. The U.S. government in 2009 will consider whether to impose a "cap and trade" policy to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Should the U.S. take this action unilaterally or concentrate instead on a global climate deal?
International Economics Program. The U.S. financial crisis will have international consequences. What will be the most important ones? Which countries will be most affected? Are there any countries that will benefit from the American Financial problems?
U.S. Role in the World Program. How do you define America's proper role in the world?
Communications Program. Applicants interested in the Communications program may write on one of the above topics.
All of the above materials will be forwarded by the designated university official, Margaret Heely, PhD, to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC.
For Further Information
For more information, contact:
Margaret Heely
Designated/Nominating Official
Office of Experiential Learning
B-4 Thaw Hall / 412-624-6828
