Jessie Brunner (IPS ’14)
US Department of State
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
I interned in the office of Policy Planning and Public Diplomacy within the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL/PPD in State speak). The office outlines and coordinates the bureau’s policy strategies with the various regional and thematic offices, oversees all external bureau communications, and manages all media and diplomatic outreach. My duties were broad and varied, allowing me to both observe and participate directly in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy.
One of my first significant tasks was to prepare a presentation on the bureau’s efforts – alongside USAID – to promote democracy and good governance in the Middle East and North Africa to be given by our assistant secretary. The project touched on some of the key questions from my first year at IPS: What is the United States’ role in spreading democracy abroad? What is the role of civil society? How do we measure success? Armed with a more academic perspective, I was able to contribute fresh ideas and draw on resources new to the bureau.
My supervisors afforded me access equal to that of my employed colleagues. Hence, I was able to rely on unique information and perspective with regard to what was happening with the transition in Egypt, negotiations in Israel/Palestine, and the ongoing civil war in Syria.
Though the bureaucracy does take some getting used to, particularly compared to the dynamic nature of campus life, the most significant lesson from my internship was the confirmation that many, many people in the government are committed to defending human rights, freedom, justice, and accountability – all the values that give this nation the potential to be truly great.
