“A Summer of Renewed Hope, Learning, and Service” By Shahid Khan (UNC M.A. in Global Studies ’27) Summer 2026 AFE Blog Post Series
Duke Geneva cohort at the UN Headquarters in Geneva
In this post, I explore my passion for ‘Service Above Self’ through the Duke Global Policy Program in Geneva, and through a period of personal loss, finding hope and renewal – in loving memory of my dad!
This summer has been one of the most significant periods of my academic and personal journey; a season marked by learning, service, reflection, and profound personal loss.
Looking back, I realize that each experience, though very different, has contributed to a deeper understanding of what it means to work for peace, equality and justice.
The Duke Global Policy Program in Geneva
My first summer highlight was participating in the Duke Global Policy Program in Geneva, a city that sits in the heart of international diplomacy and humanitarian action. Walking through institutions that I had long studied from textbooks brought theory to life and reality. I visited the headquarters of humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without
Cohort at the United Nations Headquarters
Borders, and engaged with practitioners from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UNHCR, MedAir, the Aga Khan Foundation, and numerous United Nations agencies, providing invaluable insight into the realities of humanitarian work.
What struck me most was the complexity of humanitarian action. Beyond emergency relief lies a constant balancing act between humanitarian principles, political realities, limited resources, and the needs of affected communities. Listening to practitioners who have worked in some of the world’s most challenging crises reminded me that humanitarian work is rarely about finding perfect solutions. Instead, it is about making difficult decisions with compassion, integrity, and humility while striving to preserve human dignity in impossible circumstances.
The Role of AI in a Humanitarian Context
One discussion which caught my attention was the role of AI in a humanitarian context and the challenges it poses.
AI can make humanitarian work more effective in many contexts. For example, AI-enabled drones can rapidly assess the impact of floods, hurricanes, or earthquakes in areas that are inaccessible or too dangerous for humanitarian personnel, enabling faster and more informed disaster responses. However, the same technologies can also produce unintended humanitarian consequences. Autonomous or AI-enabled drones used to deliver food and other essential supplies to starving populations may inadvertently expose vulnerable communities to further violence by revealing their location or by attracting armed groups that intercept or hijack aid deliveries. In some cases, both outcomes may occur simultaneously. These examples illustrate a broader challenge for humanitarian actors: the increasing use of AI can obscure decision-making behind opaque algorithms, digital platforms, and autonomous systems, making accountability, transparency, and ethical oversight more difficult. Moreover, an increasing reliance on AI-mediated processes may reduce direct human interaction and communication, potentially undermining trust, contextual understanding, and the relationships that are fundamental to principled humanitarian action. While AI can enhance operational efficiency, it cannot replace the empathy, judgement, and human connection that remain central to effective humanitarian assistance.
These conversations reinforced something I have increasingly come to appreciate throughout my academic journey: effective humanitarian action cannot exist in isolation from the art of negotiation, i.e. diplomacy. Humanitarian access, conflict resolution, and long-term peacebuilding all depend on dialogue, negotiation, and trust.
Taking What I have Learned Home
I spent the rest of my summer supporting Professor Jennifer Davis in developing a new undergraduate course, Fundamentals of US Diplomacy, making my time in Geneva even more meaningful Contributing to the design of a course that will introduce students to the history, institutions, and practice of diplomacy has been both intellectually rewarding and personally inspiring. My hope is that the course will encourage students to see diplomacy not simply as statecraft, but as an essential tool for preventing conflict, building partnerships, and creating sustainable peace. Developing the next generation of thoughtful and globally minded leaders has never felt more important.
A Personal Loss
A Selfie with my dad in the English Countryside
Lastly, this summer has also brought the greatest personal challenge I have ever faced. I lost my father, who was not only my dad, but also my mentor, my teacher, and one of my closest friends. Throughout my life, he encouraged my curiosity, believed in my ambitions, and taught me to approach both people and problems with humility and compassion. Much of who I am today is because of his guidance and unwavering support.
His absence has been deeply painful, but it has also strengthened my determination to pursue work that contributes to something greater than myself. Whether through research, teaching, diplomacy, or humanitarian engagement, I am resolved to honour the values he instilled in me: kindness, integrity, curiosity, and a commitment to service above self.
As this summer draws to a close, I carry forward not only new knowledge and professional experiences I gained, but also a renewed sense of purpose. Geneva reminded me that peace requires constant effort, and that communication is essential to making decisions grounded in data and informed by people’s lived realities. My father’s life reminds me that the greatest legacy we can leave is not simply what we achieve, but the values we pass onto others.
For all these reasons, this has been a summer I will never forget.
I wanted to thank Rotary Peace Fellowship for this opportunity to enrich my life, experiences and my renewed hope to make a difference in the lives of others – One step at a time!
Travel Tip: If you ever visit Geneva and would like to travel outside of the city, I encourage you to visit Annecy, a small but breathtaking tourist attraction 1.5 hours outside of the city by train. You won’t regret it! Do not forget to taste Swiss matured Cheese. Yum. Yum.
Duke Geneva cohort at the UN Headquarters in Geneva
