As an undergraduate, I was an organizer for Americans for Informed Democracy, a group that educates students around American on global issues. I became involved in then Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign in 2007, and I credit President Obama with influencing me to take a more active role in American politics. I briefly worked for the Mayor of Houston's Office of International Affairs, then moved to Washington, D.C. to be part of President Obama's Advance Team at the White House, which was a life-changing experience. I saw the pressures of the Presidency, the enormous responsibility, the exhaustion, and the incredible logistics involved in moving the President of the United States from one location to another. I moved to Florida to work on his re-election campaign and, following his re-election, I was part of the Presidential Inaugural Committee before accepting my current job at CARE, a position that covers both domestic and international affairs - the best of both worlds!
CARE is a leading humanitarian organization that fights global poverty. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of disease, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity, and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives.
I am the Regional Advocacy Director for the central portion of the United States. I work with elected officials from both the Democratic and Republican parties and also organize faith-based, community, and business leaders, as well as members of the military and academia to support CARE's mission. These advocates organize educational events and also arrange in-district meetings with their members of Congress. They highlight the important role the United States plays in funding development-related projects overseas, such as building schools and entrepreneurial centers for women, and combating early childhood marriage. Playing an active humanitarian role in the world strengthens the United States' economy and national security. At our core, we understand that human beings exist in a community, and what happens to others affects us. The U.S. is stronger and safer when we stabilize our broader community - whether through programs for at-risk youth at home or effective international development abroad.
I am working on two projects, one short- and one long-term. The short-term project is organizing a 300-person global maternal health conference in Dallas, Texas featuring Congresswoman Kay Granger as the keynote speaker. The second project is finding volunteer leaders and training them to build and organize teams of volunteers within their regions in order to advance CARE's advocacy agenda.
After my experience living in the UK and traveling around many parts of the world, I was able to see the great wealth modern day society has generated, as well as the poverty that has persisted, and even worsened, during our lifetime. I grew up hearing stories about the brutal civil war in Lebanon and how it affected my family, leading me to realize that wars between nations have increasingly given way to wars within nations. The explosion of ethnic and sectarian conflicts, revolutions, insurgencies, and failed states has left civilians living in chaos. War has made refugees of millions, destroyed economies, and scarred children for life. I firmly want to be part of the solution to many of these challenges, and I know that it will require the same vision, hard work, and persistence of those men and women I read about in my history classes at TASIS England and in college. It will also require us to think in new ways as to how to solve these problems, and I hope I will be able to contribute to this process and urge others to do the same.
My interest in politics and international relations came about during my four years at TASIS England. Every student, both past and present, will tell you how diverse the school is. Students from all over the world learning under the same roof and undergoing the same life experiences provided a unique environment for a multi-racial young man like myself. Growing up as a first generation American in a Lebanese-Mexican family and being surrounded by so many people from different cultures and religions has allowed me to transcend common social, cultural, political, and religious divides that we find in our world. Living in the UK and traveling around Europe, the Middle East, and Asia gave me many opportunities and helped me to develop the skills necessary for my career.
I love explaining foreign policy, national security, and international development issues to an audience. I also love the fact that I work for a humanitarian organization that has made a name for itself as being effective int is own humanitarian efforts. The people at CARE are all so dedicated, intelligent, and passionate about the work they do, that it is a great environment in which to work.
Most importantly my mother and father, Daphne and Toufic Nassif. Other great inspirations for me are President Obama, The Dalai Llama, Robert Kennedy, and the countless individuals who work to protect our environment and women's rights, and to bring about desired social change to their communities. I strive to be one of those people every day.
TASIS England's vigorous academics, emphasis on playing an active role and giving back to one's community, and the School's focus on developing leadership skills and personal responsibility all prepared me for my current role. Right before the September 11th terrorist attacks, I was elected to serve as President of the International Students Club. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had, as it taught me how to lead during difficult and unexpected circumstances.
Getting to know your professors, consistently engage with peers who have different views from your own, hold leadership positions both on and off campus, live or study in a developing country, and be involved in your community and the world around you. Doing all of this will hone your skills, sharpen your instinct, and provide you with a strong foundation to tackle anything that comes your way. And most importantly, always remember to use the power of your education to achieve something larger than yourself. I leave you with my favorite quote from Robert Kennedy:
"The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man alike, timid and fearful in the face of bold projects and new ideas. Rather, it will belong to those who can blend passion, reason and courage in a personal commitment to [their] ideals."
This article first appeared in the TASIS England Today magazine, Autumn 2013 issue.