Photo credit: Sierra Van Tent By Sierra Van Tent, MIPP While researching before my move to Vientiane, something that kept coming up was that it is a very small city. At the time, I assumed they meant physically small, a quieter city compared to what I was exposed to in Toronto, or even Waterloo. But […]
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Photo credit: Sierra Van Tent By Sierra Van Tent, MIPP Development work uses a lot of technical language: domestic revenue mobilization, tax expenditures, results-based management, financing strategies, data systems, long-term national planning frameworks, are all terms that have become deeply embedded in the day-to-day rhythm of my internship. And, while these are all components essential
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Photo credit: Nathalie Gatti By Nathalie Gatti, MAGG Sabaidee! Hello again from Vientiane, Lao PDR! Thinking back on my six months here in Laos, it is difficult to reflect on my initial thoughts, feelings, and reactions. This country, in which I initially felt out of place, has become a home, filled with community and some
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Photo credit: Sarah Hamm By Sarah Hamm, MIPP As I reflect on the last six months of my time in Laos, I cannot believe how fast time went and how much I was able to learn and experience. Privileged is an understatement. When I first arrived in Laos several months ago, I remember feeling quite
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Photo credit: Sarah Hamm By Sarah Hamm, MIPP I ended my last blog by saying that living and working in Laos has been an invitation to explore a new way of working, thinking, and seeing the world, and as I sit down to write this second blog, that statement is even more true. In December
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Photo credit: Frances Northeast By Frances Northeast, MAGG Sousdei! I can’t believe that I am a month away from finishing my internship with WFP Cambodia. So much has happened in the last few months. After having drafted and submitted two high-level external government donor reports, I am now mainly focused on providing materials based on
Photo credit: Nathalie Gatti By Nathalie Gatti, MAGG Sabaidee, Hello again from Laos! The past two months have absolutely flown by. In Vientiane, the dry season has just started, meaning lots of holidays, events, tourists, and an incredibly busy work schedule. As tourist season ramps up, it is a great reminder to explore Southeast Asia
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Photo credit: Sarah Hamm By Sarah Hamm, MIPP When I first arrived in Vientiane, Laos, I was eager and admittedly quite nervous to find my place within such a large organization and a completely new environment. Like many people drawn to international development, I arrived in Laos with a desire to make a difference. However,
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Photo credit: Frances Northeast By Frances Northeast, MAGG Sousdei! It has been two months since I first joined WFP Cambodia, and the time has flown by! Since my last blog post, I have completed and submitted a report to a donor country, and I am currently working on the draft report for another donor country.
Photo credit: Kianna Low-A-Chee By Kianna Low-A-Chee, MIPP Since September, I have been working with Project Ploughshares researching AI and emerging technology. On the 17th of October 2025, I had the privilege of delivering a joint statement on behalf of Project Ploughshares and many other civil society organizations to the United Nations 80th First Committee
Photo credit: Nathalie Gatti By Nathalie Gatti, MAGG Sabaidee from Vientiane, Laos! As I approach the end of my first month here at UNDP Lao PDR, I have so much to reflect on. My month has been absolutely jam-packed with work, travel, and incredible experiences. As one of three interns from the Balsillie School currently
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Photo credit: Sierra Van Tent By Sierra Van Tent, MIPP Reflecting on my first six weeks in Lao PDR as a Research and Data Analysis Intern with UNDP, I can confidently say this has been one of the most enriching personal and professional experiences I’ve had. In a short time, I’ve learned a great deal
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