Author: Neti Gupta

NEW DEHLI — The “Modi Wave” in India represents an era of change, prosperity and development. Modi believes the key to reviving India’s ancient glory and civilizational role lies within strengthening their domestic sphere. The flow towards democracy, therefore encompassing human rights, is a part of the effort to extend the global power of India. “India first” is Modi’s quintessential slogan for progression in the economy, government and global power. While Modi is a symbol for India’s poor, he believes in the West as a catalyst towards modernity and global prosperity. During Obama’s visit to India in January of 2015,…

SEATTLE — Studying abroad is at an all-time high, and for a good reason! Studying abroad alters neural pathways and challenges one’s worldview in a way that may have not been previously acknowledged. From experiencing a new method of education to daily exposure to different cultures and populations, the impact of study abroad is everlasting. The focus on international education is steadily growing, for the Institute for International Education launched Generation Study Abroad. This campaign aims to double the number of students who study abroad by the end of the decade, while increasing diversity and accessibility to international education. According…

SEATTLE — Matt Damon, a renowned actor for many years, is one of the most active celebrity clean water activists. Damon and Gary White are the co-founders of water.org, an organization dedicated to providing clean and safe water to those in need. While only one in four people have access to clean water in India, approximately 2.5 billion people lack improved sanitation facilities, and 768 million people still use unsafe drinking water sources, according to the World Health Organization. Damon initially began his work with clean water in Africa and formed water.org with Gary White in July 2009. White is also…

GENEVA — Today, over 800 million people are malnourished while approximately one billion people live on less than $1.25 a day. The human experience is further being degraded by the neglect and mismanagement of the environment, as evidenced by the increase of natural disasters, scarcity of resources and extremity of temperatures worldwide. Climate change also decreases food production, access and utilization, therefore increasing malnutrition. The prospects for a positive future increase through addressing these issues holistically with both long-term and short-term solutions. Climate change and poverty affects life across time, space and culture. Climate change is especially harmful in developing areas,…

NEW DEHLI, India — The role of India is becoming more important in our increasingly interconnected society. While India is a massive democratic power in the region, its status as a prominent middle power reveals the changing power structures of the international community. The role of India within the international system has increasingly shifted from one of colonial oppression to a significant regional power. The rise of middle powers is significantly altering the current liberal global order, specifically for powers outside of the dominant West. According to The National Interest, “Crafting ‘middle-power coalitions,’ as a complement to engaging China and…

NEW YORK CITY — The Security Council, also known as the U.N. Charter, was introduced in 1945 to the United Nations. The U.N. Charter is a multilateral treaty that is legally binding—by signing the document, states have consented to the outlined rules.  All states have ratified the Charter, making the charter a classic example of legal positivism. The Security Council consists of five permanent members: U.S., China, Russia, France and Britain. There are also 10 non-permanent members, with five delegates to Afro-Asia, one to East Europe, two to Latin America and two to Western Europe. While the role of the Security Council is to maintain…

ATHENS, Ohio — The conflict in Syria was birthed out of numerous problems within the individual, domestic and international spheres. The conflict has dire implications for humanitarian intervention and the Responsibility to Protect, or R2P. Syria challenges the idea that the international community has a duty to intervene when the domestic level is unable to protect their own citizens. The implications of R2P have also challenged whether or not the United Nations Security Council is addressing large-scale atrocities due to institutional hindrances. Bashar Al-Assad is a product of familial and historical oppression of the Syrian people. The personality of the…

ATHENS, Ohio — Environmental diplomacy is gaining influence in international relations and humanitarian relief. Environmental diplomacy addresses issues and actions related to environmental security, and involves a wide range of actors. The environment is borderless and the issues continue to be addressed at a multilateral level. The United Nations Environment Programme, or UNEP, and Environment and Security Initiative, or ENVSEC, have a good groundwork for combating environmental issues such as multilateral engagement with organizations like the United Nations Development Programme, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and even the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The ENVSEC has worked on over 150…

ATHENS, Ohio — Coffee is the second most traded product in the world, and there are two different ways to grow it. Sun grown coffee requires minimal canopy cover and the coffee grows at high densities. This cultivation method uses more fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides. Sun plants need to be replaced more often and are only productive for about 15 years. Shade grown coffee is more environmentally friendly as it discourages weed growth, increases pollinators and reduces chemical run-off and topsoil degradation. Shade-grown coffee also produces the highest yields and the ripest taste. There are various types and levels of shade, including rustic,…

ATHENS, Ohio — Poverty is an undeniable threat to the existence of humanity in the 21st century. The global commitment to promoting adequate standards of living for all people is emphasized in the Millennium Development Goals, which sought to cut poverty rates in half by 2015. Education is key in promoting economic, social and political development. The specific role of farmer education is indispensable, for it fosters productivity, creativity and advanced understanding of a situation. There are three types of poverty: extreme, moderate and relative. Extreme poverty entails lack of the basic resources for survival, including food, water, shelter and sanitation. There is a…