“Building Bridges Across Borders: My Applied Field Experience at the International Organization for Migration”
By Awet Wereta (Duke MIDP ’27)
Summer 2026 AFE Blog Post Series
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Rotary Peace Fellow is the opportunity to connect academic learning with real-world practice. During my first year at the Duke–UNC Rotary Peace Center, I developed a growing interest in diaspora engagement while researching the role of diaspora communities as part of my academic work. That research raised important questions: How can diaspora communities contribute beyond remittances? How can they become partners in peacebuilding, humanitarian response, and sustainable development? Seeking answers to those questions led me to pursue my Applied Field Experience (AFE) with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
For someone interested in migration and diaspora affairs, there is perhaps no better place to learn than IOM, the United Nations migration agency. With its global presence and operations spanning every region of the world, IOM brings together some of the international community’s leading experts on migration, displacement, and diaspora engagement. It offered a unique opportunity to see how global policies are translated into practical solutions for communities affected by conflict, displacement, and crisis.
Throughout the summer, I had the privilege of working in IOM’s Diaspora Engagement Unit in Washington, D.C. Although based in one office, my work reached far beyond a single country or region. I contributed to projects involving countries across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and North America, exposing me to the diversity of migration challenges and the equally diverse ways diaspora communities contribute to humanitarian action, early recovery, and development.
As a Rotary Peace Fellow at Duke University, I have spent the past year studying peacebuilding, development policy, and conflict prevention. My academic work often focused on institutions, governance, and public policy. At IOM, I had the opportunity to witness how these ideas translate into practice through partnerships that connect people, resources, and expertise across borders.
During my internship, I supported a wide range of initiatives designed to strengthen the role of diaspora communities in humanitarian response and early recovery. One of my first projects explored how diaspora organizations could contribute to preparedness and response efforts during the Ebola outbreak in East Africa. Beyond financial contributions, I researched how diaspora professionals could provide medical expertise, strengthen public health communication, mobilize essential supplies, and build trust between affected communities and humanitarian actors. This work demonstrated that effective humanitarian action depends not only on institutions but also on relationships and the unique capacities of people with deep connections to their countries of origin.
Another memorable experience involved supporting the development of an innovative financing concept. The experience allowed me to participate in the project development cycle and learn how diaspora networks, private sector partners, and international organizations could work together to create sustainable economic opportunities for local communities. It reinforced an important lesson: peacebuilding is also about restoring livelihoods, expanding economic opportunities, and enabling communities to recover with dignity.
One aspect of my internship that I especially valued was the opportunity to contribute far beyond my primary responsibilities. I became part of teams conducting preliminary research on country–, regional–, and sector-specific issues, preparing case studies, monitoring emerging developments, and assessing opportunities to strengthen IOM’s programming. I also had the privilege of reviewing documents prepared for senior management, including concept notes, proposals, strategic briefs, talking points, and assessments of ongoing initiatives.
What stood out most was the organization’s collaborative culture. It was not uncommon for experienced colleagues and subject-matter experts to approach me with a simple request: ”We need a fresh pair of eyes; could you review this document?” That expression came to represent one of the most valuable lessons of my internship. It reflected an environment where diverse perspectives were genuinely welcomed, regardless of title or seniority. As an intern, I never felt confined to administrative tasks. Instead, I was encouraged to think critically, offer constructive feedback, and contribute ideas that could strengthen projects and initiatives. Working alongside experts who were willing to mentor me while also valuing my perspective gave me confidence and reinforced the importance of humility, collaboration, and continuous learning in international organizations. That work culture enabled me to contribute meaningfully to proposals, concept notes, assessments of ongoing projects, and new initiatives that could shape future programming.
Another unexpected opportunity came outside the Diaspora Engagement Unit. I was invited to join IOM’s media monitoring team, where I received training on the organization’s methodologies for analyzing media trends and developments relevant to migration and humanitarian contexts. I soon became a regular weekly contributor, producing media monitoring reports that informed colleagues across the organization. Participating in this team broadened my understanding of how timely information supports evidence-based decision-making and provided a new perspective on the importance of situational awareness in international operations. It became another particularly rewarding dimension of my internship.
Throughout the summer, I also conducted research on diaspora organizations, fundraising strategies, and partnership models across different regions. These assignments highlighted the diversity of diaspora engagement. Some organizations mobilize financial resources, while others contribute professional expertise, mentorship, advocacy, or business networks.
Together, these forms of social, human, and financial capital can become powerful drivers of resilience and long-term development.
For me personally, this internship challenged my previous understanding of diaspora engagement. Having worked in diplomacy before beginning graduate school, I was familiar with the important role diaspora communities play in fostering bilateral relations and supporting their countries of origin through remittances and advocacy. My experience at IOM broadened that perspective considerably. I came to appreciate diaspora communities as strategic partners capable of contributing knowledge, innovation, technical expertise, and long-term collaboration that extends far beyond financial support.
The experience also strengthened practical skills that will remain valuable throughout my career. I improved my policy research, stakeholder mapping, analytical writing, and strategic thinking while collaborating with colleagues working across different countries and sectors. I also learned the importance of precision in professional communication. Throughout the internship, I contributed to drafting and reviewing proposals, concept notes, talking points, and strategic briefs. One piece of advice from a senior leader has remained with me: ”People have no time. Keeping it precise is a skill that is increasingly becoming important.” That simple statement reshaped the way I approach policy writing.
As I conclude my Applied Field Experience, I am grateful to IOM for providing an environment where I could connect academic learning with real-world practice. I am equally grateful to Rotary and Duke for making this opportunity possible.
I leave this experience with a deeper appreciation for the role that diaspora communities can play in building more peaceful, resilient, and inclusive societies. As I continue my studies and prepare for a career in international peace and development, I will carry forward the lessons I learned at IOM: that lasting peace is built through partnerships, that local ownership matters, that fresh perspectives can strengthen even the most experienced teams, and that meaningful change often begins by connecting people across borders.