Adrian Walraven, INTS Alumnus (1999), Shares with Students his Global Experiences Working with the Government of Canada
On November 23, 2016 Adrian Walraven, an International Studies (1999) alumnus, visited UNBC to talk with INTS students about his work for the Government of Canada. In the morning, he was a guest speaker in INTS 100 (Introduction to Global Studies) and in the afternoon he hosted a session on “What can I do with an INTS degree?” for students interested in pursuing careers in Global Studies. Mr. Walraven has worked with CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) and Global Affairs Canada. His posts include Ukraine (he arrived in Kiev on the day of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States), Russia, CIDA’s Kandahar unit in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Indonesia. He now works for INAC (Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) on aboriginal issues in the Arctic. Mr. Walraven stressed to INTS students the importance of understanding the social and cultural complexities of the regions of the world. Using examples from his experiences in the Middle East, he further highlighted the importance of recognizing regional variations of ethnic and religious populations and the implications of religion for international relationships. He underscored the potent impact of the media and social media on public perceptions of these populations and the need for awareness of potential bias. Finally, he encouraged students to spend time understanding global trade and finance and how they relate to the pros and cons of globalization.