Fellowships

Hennepin County Mentorship Program

Host Family Program

Buddy Program

Salzburg Seminar

Meet the Staff

2009-2010 INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP ALUMNI

Carolyne Atieno Abong: Kenya

Ms. Carolyne Atieno Abong currently serves as the Deputy Secretary of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights she oversees all the programming of the Commission and supervision of Departments heads and regional field offices. She conducts research on human rights issues and advises the Government and Parliament on initiating policy, administrative and other reforms to enhance promotion and protection of human rights in Kenya.  She has served as a United Nations Volunteer with the UNDP/Standing Committee on Human Rights and a Research Associate with the Center for Conflict Research in Nairobi, Kenya.  Ms. Abong holds a master’s degree in international studies from the University of Nairobi.  During her fellowship year, Ms. Abong will focus on human rights, monitoring and evaluation, public policy analysis frameworks, project management, accountability, effectiveness, and civic engagement.

Olivier Donat Andriamahefaparany: Madagascar

Mr. Olivier Donat Andriamahefaparany is currently an elected member of parliament in the National Assembly of Madagascar, and is a member of the commissions of Finances & Economy and Infrastructure.  Outside the assembly, he acts as political leader of his country sector and organizes and supports social, economic, and cultural activities within that sector.  Mr. Andriamahefaparany has held a series of positions in the Malagasy Government in a variety of departments including the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Ministry of Tourism and the Municipality of Antananarivo City.  He is a strong advocate of private and public sector linkages.  He received a Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences of Constance, Germany, a Master of Science in Renewable Energies from the University of Oldenburg in Germany and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Lancaster, UK.  During his fellowship year, Mr. Andriamahefaparany will focus on economic development, public policy, and science, technology and environmental policy.

Beaudelaine Pierre: Haiti

Ms. Beaudelaine Pierre received a post graduate degree in population and development studies from the University of Haiti.  As the editor of ANAYIZZ magazine, an international Haitian women’s magazine she addresses the challenges faced by Haitian women within the community.  She also serves as the director of research for a private communications firm Haiti Sonde.  Prior to this, she was involved in programs related to children’s rights, gender affairs, and migrant rights.   She is also a university professor, a published author, and is involved in research on minority languages.  Ms. Pierre was an award recipient from the Department of Modern Languages at Brooklyn College, City University of New York, March 2009.  Despite the significant role Haitian women play in society, she has found that they are underrepresented in all aspects of policy making.  During her fellowship year, Ms. Pierre will focus on gender equality, the role of women in the media, sustainable development, leadership, civic participation, and the environment.

Todor Efremov: Macedonia

Mr. Todor Efremov is currently the executive director of the Foundation for Information Technology, a citizen’s information center, where he is implementing a series of projects which provide better services and stronger relations between local institutions and citizens.  One of these projects, the establishment of a foundation for supporting small business, was awarded 1st prize for the best project in Macedonia from the European Agency for Reconstruction in 2006.  He has worked for eight years in public administration as head of the local economic development sector in the Municipality of Kavadarci, a grape and wine producing region of Macedonia. He received a law degree from the University of St. Ciril & Methodius in Skopje During his fellowship year, Mr. Efremov will focus on strategies for government decentralization, local self  government, public service, small business and local economic development (particularly in wine producing regions), and human resources management.

Amit Garg: India

Mr. Amit Garg currently serves as the joint commissioner of police, special branch, of the Indian Police Service in Hyderabad, where he handles matters related to foreign registration and collection of intelligence on organized crime. In his 15 years experience working with India’s police force, using the community policing concept, he has involved various sections of civil society for effective and sustainable enforcement.  He has coordinated with civil society organizations to assist victims of human trafficking for their protection and rehabilitation and victims of domestic violence.  Mr. Garg received a Master of Philosophy from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.  His dissertation was on “From Slavery to Debt Bondage: Bonded Labour System in India.”  He also received a Master of Arts in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University’s Center for Study of Social Systems.  During his fellowship year, Mr. Garg will focus on human trafficking, organized crime, trafficking victim protection programs, witness protection programs, rescue and rehabilitation, and NGO partnerships.

Beata Jajko: Poland

Dr. Beata Jajko currently works as a unit head at the Polish Ministry of Finance and is responsible for economic programs.  During her nine years at the Ministry she has been involved in a broad range of public policy issues, including conducting analyses for Polish economic policy, preparing opinions on fiscal policy, presenting recommendations on required public policy actions such as changes in the tax system, preparing public debt management strategies, and analyzing public-private partnership issues. She has also worked with international institutions and organizations including the IMF, European Commission, Eurostat and OECD. Dr. Jajko graduated from the Warsaw School of Economics with a Master of Economics degree. In 2008 she was awarded a Ph.D. in Economics from Warsaw University; the title of her dissertation was “Public Debt and Fiscal Policy.  The Polish Experience.”  During her fellowship year, Ms. Jajko will focus on fiscal policy management. Her specific interests will include ways of making public policy more supportive to economic growth while simultaneously addressing social problems; means of reforming the tax system to increase economic activity; reform of public expenses, and enhancing cooperation between public and private sector partners.

Krekar Abdullah Hussein Khoshnaw: Iraq

Mr. Krekar Abdullah Hussein Khoshnaw has spent the majority of his career in public administration working for the Government of Iraq and its Kurdistan Region.  He began in the Ministry of Agriculture as Assistant Agricultural Engineer, working his way up to the position of General Director.  He currently serves as the Director General and Senior Consultant of the Iraqi-Kurdistan Parliament, where he supervises over 300 employees, oversees the work of all directorates and is responsible for all administrative and financial functions. Throughout his career, he has been devoted to more transparent and efficient practices.  He received a bachelor’s degree in law from Sulaimani University and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from Mosul University, Iraq.  He has completed certificate courses in legal training from the International Bar Association in the United Arab Emirates and in public administration from the Central Official Training Institute in South Korea.  He is also a published author of five books in Kurdish and Arabic.  During his fellowship year, Mr. Khoshnaw will focus on law, government administration, policy making, transparency, corruption, and finance.

Eka Kvakhadze: Georgia

Ms. Eka Kvakhadze has contributed to the democratization process and the strengthening of regional and local self-government during decentralization reform in Georgia.  She currently serves as director of the Local Government Information Center in Rustavi, Georgia, where she promotes bilateral communications between local government and the community through public hearings and public awareness, collaborating with Regional Administration on regional planning issues, and capacity building activities.  She also manages the organizational activities of the center.  She has extensive work experience in the field of public relations with international NGOs such as Eurasia Foundation, CARE International, and World Vision International. She received her Master’s Degree in history from the Tbilisi State University, Georgia.  During her fellowship year, Ms. Kvakhadze will focus on local and regional development, policy and planning, and decentralization.

Xiaoke Li: China

Dr. Xiaoke Li is currently a professor of political philosophy at the Central Party School in Beijing where he lectures on the political and legal philosophy of the West to high-ranking political leaders and is editor of Theoretical Horizon, a magazine published by the school.  His writings on liberty have been widely cited in China. And his teaching and research on western politics and legal theories, as well as the numerous practical activities he has engaged in promoting the ideas of human rights and the rule of law, have earned him a remarkable reputation, both in academia and among officials all over China.  He received a Ph.D. in western philosophy from Fudan University in Shanghai.  He also earned a master’s degree in philosophy and a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature form Shaanxi Normal University in Xi’an, China.  During his fellowship year, Dr. Li will focus on U.S. governmental systems, constitutionalism and the rule of law, human rights, public choice, constitutional economics, U.S. laws governing elections and political parties, and laws and regulations against political corruption.

Gayane Martirosyan: Armenia

Ms. Gayane Martirosyan has been working with NGO’s since 2001, and is currently the coordinator and advocacy specialist of the ‘NGO Center’ Civil Society Development Organization, whose mission is to promote democracy through civil society development.  The ‘NGO Center’ works with indigenous Armenian NGOs to help them strengthen their institutional capacity, increase public awareness and understanding of the role of the NGO sector in the creation of civil society, and support and promote cooperation and linkages among NGOs and potential partners such as policy makers, media, business, international and foreign organizations. Ms. Martirosyan is a member of the International Program Evaluation Network (IPEN) and Armenian Trainers Group. She has also served as a member of the Grants Selection Committee for the Civic Advocacy Support Program. She received the diploma of Teacher of Biology and Chemistry from Vanadzor State Pedagogical Institute, Armenia.  During her fellowship year, Ms. Martirosyan will focus on policy modeling and design, forecasting and planning, modern methods of analysis, program evaluation, and government/public cooperation.

Thabani Nyoni: Zimbabwe

Mr. Thabani Nyoni is a currently coordinator for the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association where he initiated the concept of partnership for transformation, bringing together residents, local government, and other community based organizations through the ‘Township Cleanup Campaign’ aimed at encouraging stakeholder participation in local governance and service delivery.  He has served as Programs Manager at Bulawayo Agenda Trust, a civic society organization advocating human rights, civic participation, and democratic governance.  His work included design and implementation of advocacy campaigns, and capacity building.  He has implemented the ‘Local Voices Project’ to provide a platform for the urban fringes and rural communities to exchange views, ideas, and opinions as well as obtain information on the current socio-economic and political crises in Zimbabwe.  This effort had a profound impact on the country’s 2008 election process.  He received a master’s degree in development studies from Midlands State University of Zimbabwe. During his fellowship year, Mr. Nyoni will focus on public policy development, policy advocacy strategies, stakeholder management, cost/benefit analysis and decision modeling, research methods, and information and communications technology management.

Saiyora Rahmonovna Saimurodova: Tajikistan

Ms. Saiyora Saimurodova is currently a program specialist with the USAID Local Governance and Citizen Participation Project at the Urban Institute in Tajikistan where she provides planning, budgeting, coordination, and monitoring support to the project’s Citizen Participation & Media component focusing on capacity building of local government systems in Tajikistan.  She has coordinated programs at The International Foundation for Elections Systems (IFES), where she worked closely with political parties and election commissions in preparation for Parliamentarian and Presidential elections, and at CARE International, where she worked on the project “Reduction of Violence against Women” in rural areas to promote awareness on basic human rights, education, health, etc.  She received a master’s degree in sociology from Hyderabad Central University, India.  During her fellowship year, Ms. Saimurodova will focus on civic participation in local governance, conflict resolution, public finance, and urban management.

Moo Jo Son: South Korea

Mr. Moo Jo Son started his career as a public servant in the Ministry of Environment, focused on natural environment conservation policy such as protection of endangered species and designation of ecosystem conservation areas.  He currently serves as deputy director of the Senior Civil Service Policy Division of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, where he is responsible for establishment and implementation of national policies on the Senior Civil Service, and human resources management.  In this position he has noted that, though the problems of immigrants in South Korea are not yet seriously considered, immigration is steeply increasing along with the country’s rapid economic growth.  Therefore, the question of how South Korea’s government responds to the growing immigrant population promises to be an important issue for some years to come, and now is the time to prepare effective measures.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Korea University in Seoul.  During  his fellowship year, Mr. Son will focus on human resources management, policies for racial equality and equal opportunity, and promoting cultural diversity in civil service.

Vichet Kun Than: Cambodia

Mr. Vichet Kun Than has worked domestically and internationally in the fields of administration, finance, logistics & procurement for over 18 years, and program facilitation with organizations such as Medicine Sans Frontiere (Doctors without Boarders), Care International, Inter Tek Co. Ldt., and several United Nations agencies.  He currently serves as chief of operations and sub-grant manager for the USAID Health System Strengthening Project, implemented by University Research Co. LLC in Phnom Penh, where he provides training to government counterparts and NGO local partners, develops monitoring and supervising tools to ensure grantee compliance with donor requirements, performs internal and external audits, and monitors finance, procurement, budget management, administrative, and personnel procedures.   He received a master’s degree in business administration from Norton University in Cambodia.  During his fellowship year, Mr. Than will focus on modern human resources management policies and practices, developing transparency in public and private institutions, and organizational development.

U.K Fulbright for Public Affairs Fellow

Tom McGonigle : United Kingdom

Mr. Tom Mc Gonigle has worked in the Northern Ireland criminal justice system since 1980, initially with the Probation Service and subsequently as a manager in juvenile custody and voluntary sector organizations.  He has been a Criminal Justice Inspector since November 2003, and has led inspections of public protection arrangements, management of sex offenders and life sentence prisoners, and adult and juvenile custodial facilities.  He received a Masters Degree in Social Anthropology from Queen’s University Belfast, with research focused on the impact of life sentences on prisoners and their families.  During his U.K. Fulbright for Public Affairs Fellowship, Mr. Mc Gonigle will examine the Minnesota approach to risk assessing dangerous offenders in preparation for release from custody, and how the risks they pose are managed in the community after being released.

Edmund S. Muskie Fellow

Siarhei Lisichonak: Belarus

Mr. Siarhei Lisichonak received a specialist degree in Law from Belarusian State University. From 2007 to 2008 he served as International Coordinator for the Executive Bureau of the Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs of Belarus. Since 2002, Mr. Lisichonak has been vice-chair of the leading pro-democratic youth organization called Young Front. During his fellowship, Mr. Lisichonak will seek a master's degree in public Policy, specializing in public leadership.

Indian MPA Fellows

Karthikeyan Doss: India

Dr. Karthikeyan Doss spans a twelve year career with the Indian Administrative Service in senior management positions in a variety of posts.   He currently serves as Joint Secretary to the Government Finance Department in Chennai, where he is involved in budget formulation and control of expenditures for government programs and evaluation of projects.  He has received two National Awards from the Deputy Prime Minister of India for successfully implementing an e-Governance Project in an urban local body.  He received a Ph.D. in statistics from the University of Madras.  During his fellowship year, Dr. Doss will pursue a master’s of public affairs degree with a focus on urban management and planning, urban development, and e-Governance.

Koolu Ravi Ramachandran: India

Mr. K. Ravi Ramachandran has been employed by the Indian Revenue Service for the past fifteen years, working for the Income Tax Department as Assistant Commissioner then as Deputy Director of Income Tax (Investigation).  He is currently on Central Appointment as Director of the Government of India’s Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development, in New Delhi.  He manages the national flagship program  Mid Day Meal Scheme in Schools, the world’s largest school feeding program, and Sarva Shikhsa Abhiyan (Education for All), where the fields of education and health converge. He earned a bachelor of engineering degree in electrical and electronic engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli, India.  During his fellowship year, Mr. Ramachandran will pursue a master’s of public affairs degree with a focus on leadership, public governance, implementation of social sector programs, quantitative methods, monitoring and evaluation, and promotion of education, health, and poverty alleviation.

Mitter Sain: India

Mr. Mitter Sain has worked in a number of departments and ministries and handled a diverse portfolio of technical, legal, and administrative functions in his 22 years of service to the Government of India.  In the Ministry of Water Resources he developed mathematical and statistical models for peak reservoir capacity, water availability, risk analysis, dam safety, flood prediction, etc.  He has served in various ministries including the Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Statistics  He currently serves as Deputy Secretary and Director of the Central Vigilance Commission where he conducts vigilance inquiries and investigations of Government officials. He received a master’s degree in mathematical science and statistics from the University of Delhi. During his fellowship year, Mr. Sain will pursue a master’s of public affairs degree with focus on human resource management, public policy formulation, service delivery systems, and international cooperation on the issues of social health, environment, poverty, economics, and economic conflict resolution.