#IAfSAlumni: Daniel Kefer

Mr. Kefer is a young professional working in development with a focus on Francophone West Africa, good governance, and the role of social media in democracy. He currently works as a Program Assistant with the Central and West Africa team at the National Democratic Institute where he supports the Mali team programmatically and administratively to carry out the Empowering Malians through Election, Reform and Governance Efforts (EMERGE) program. Prior to this role, he supported NDI programs in Niger and the Liptako-Gourma region as a Project Assistant. As an undergraduate student, he interned at the U.S. Department of State Africa Bureau, ENDA tiers monde in Dakar, Senegal, the Osgood Center for International Studies, and Public Citizen.

What was behind the decision to select your program/concentration and why the Elliott School?

Africa, the continent with many of the fastest growing populations and widespread natural resources gets the least amount of attention in international affairs. When I began to pursue international affairs, the choice of study was presented as “diplomacy with Europe” or “development in Africa”. My goal in choosing to study Africa was to elevate the level at which American diplomats and those in development interact with Africans to break the dichotomy. I aim to support international development and diplomacy by responding to local in-country needs letting Africans lead rather than dictating the terms from Washington’s point of view. The Elliott School provides access to a wealth of international affairs resources in Washington DC and professors with real world diplomacy and development experience.

What has been your favorite course at the Elliott School and why?

U.S. Foreign Policy in Africa with Ambassador David Shinn was one of the more challenging but memorable Elliott School courses I took, because of Ambassador Shinn’s firsthand US Embassy experiences and the non-traditional structure of the class. We participated in diplomacy role-playing exercises in crises, particularly those in which Ambassador Shinn had experience. The real world examples of how the US and other international actors reacted during different crisis scenarios were interesting and provided an insight that few other classes could have done. It also showed how high-level foreign policy decisions could affect those on the ground. We also learned how to write clearly and efficiently through embassy cables, skills I use when writing for work every day.

What was the most rewarding work, intern, or volunteer experience while going through your program at the Elliott School?

While studying abroad in Senegal, I was able to intern for ENDA tiers monde, a development organization based in Dakar. The experience granted me a valuable perspective of development work on the ground. I was able to help mediate a set of talks that ENDA had organized between mining companies in Mboro, Senegal and people living in the surrounding areas who had complaints about waste from the mining facilities affecting the farmland in the area. These talks resulted in an agreement that changed the way the mining facilities got rid of waste, showing how effective community mediation can be when done through local partners. It was rewarding to see how organizations on the ground carry out their work, which has made me, as someone working in DC, appreciate more the role of organizations like ENDA in democracy and development.

What have you been up to since graduating?

I have been working with the Central and West Africa team at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) on multiple development programs. I am currently a Program Assistant working on the Empowering Malians through Election, Reform and Governance Efforts (EMERGE) USAID-funded program. It has been a challenge working to adapt to a virtual context in Mali, so my focus is currently finding creative ways to use social media and the internet to continue work. Outside of this, I have been trying to find time to attend virtual events and keep up with friends working in similar areas to see how they are adapting to the pandemic.

What advice do you have for first-year students who are starting their graduate studies?

For first-year Elliott undergraduate students, I will repeat the often-repeated advice, to take advantage of the networking and internship opportunities available from studying in such a rich hub of international relations. It is also essential in my view to get involved in the process of democracy in the US while in DC, whether through advocacy, campaigns, or other areas. If you plan on working for a US-based institution, being able to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the system you would represent from a firsthand perspective is invaluable for understanding international perspectives and working for development abroad.

What is your favorite part about living in/around D.C.?

There is always an event to go to in DC. Whether it is a think tank presentation related to Africa or international affairs, an outdoor concert or an art exhibition with augmented reality cocktails, there is never a shortage of activities. More importantly, I have found that the other people attending these events come from a wide variety of backgrounds and come with their own perspectives, which can only happen in such an international city.

The IAfS Alumni Profiles highlight former Elliott School graduate students and seeks to answer common questions posed by prospective, current, and incoming students. The views expressed by students profiled do not necessarily represent those of organizations they work for are affiliated with, or the Elliott School of International Affairs. For more information or to submit questions, e-mail iafs@gwu.edu.

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