NU & Mumbai Sister City Initiative Proposal Submitted by: Ian Epstein, Robbie Kett, Kelly Kirkpatrick, Samuel Kleiner, Rae Shih, Nicky Smith, and Jacob White We propose a formation of a sister city program between Northwestern and Mumbai, India in order to facilitate cross-cultural connections, research opportunities for students, and the development of diverse global perspectives. Northwestern University has a history of successful study abroad and other international outreach programs, and we are passionate about expanding opportunities for the NU community that go beyond the classroom. By providing the driving force behind the creation of a truly student-driven global education, Northwestern will become a forerunner among top-tier universities with global learning initiatives. Topic In a world where over half of the world's population lives in urban spaces, the dynamics and problems of the city are increasingly defining the nature of global political, social and cultural phenomena. The pace of urbanization in the developing world has been overwhelming, as continents such as Africa and Asia, traditionally known as places of agrarian, pastoral culture, begin to face issues of slum living, cultural globalization and public health. Many top tier universities, recognizing concerns in the impact of these transformations as well as educational institutions' role in developing global leaders, have moved to increase their commitment to internationally focused classes and programs. However, just as student involvement and initiative are vital parts of the campus educational experience, so they should also be used to supplement university efforts abroad. In order to facilitate effective, creative and efficient student outreach on an international scale, we propose the formation of a sister city program between Northwestern and Mumbai, India. The idea for a sister city program arose out of a series of conversations concerning the work of several students with various experiences abroad. Together, we recognized the obstacles inherent to any student-led project overseas with respect to acquiring funding, establishing contacts on-site and using time abroad for valuable research, outreach and exchange. We felt that a program that encouraged a geographically concentrated and topically collaborative process between students of diverse backgrounds
would help mitigate many of these problems and lead to new possibilities in the ways in which such work is done. This grant will fund the initial steps in building this relationship. Specifically, this seed money will be used to send a task force of students to visit with a variety of organizations in Mumbai, India (the organizations are outlined at the end of this Proposal in the "Mumbai Organizations" section). These different organizations will represent various sectors (government, business, academia, civil society) and address a variety of issues, in order to fulfill the vision of a multi-disciplinary center for exchange. At the end of the visit, students will return to campus and compile all of the information collected into a student resource book full of practical living information, organizational profiles and contact information for allies and partners in India. In addition, the task force will generate an assessment that will evaluate the successes to date, the benefits and obstacles of Mumbai as a sister city candidate, and a comprehensive plan for next steps in creating a formal partnership. With this initial survey, resource book and action plan completed, we will be able to assemble a coalition of students, professors, university administrators, and community allies both in Mumbai and at Northwestern that will develop a vision and long-term plan for what this partnership will look like and what it will take for a meaningful, reciprocal partnership to be sustained. Background Information We feel as though a university "sister city" project is a unique model that, according to our research, as not been implemented by our peer US universities (as determined by The Consortium on Financing Higher Education or COFHE). A sister city would be a geographically concentrated area in which Northwestern maintained formal, academically-based partnerships with local institutions and people. This initiative would create the foundation of a partnership abroad that promised stability, continuity, and high quality experiences for Northwestern students and faculty. We envision a set of programs that brings together students, community members and significant faculty support, through both curricular and co-curricular engagement, to generate a unique collaborative experience among disciplines, sectors and countries. After considering our observations and interaction with the global engagement and education initiatives at Northwestern, we have determined that this partnership would have three main facets:
1. Co-curricular short term engagement: this would include student group engagement abroad, such as tours by performance groups, Alternative Student Break (ASB) trips, etc. 2. Individual research and/or volunteer opportunities: our contacts would allow deeper, more meaningful experiences for students going abroad with Undergraduate Research Grants for their thesis or other independent research, as well as students who want to develop a more academically focused element to international volunteerism. 3. Curricular hub: In the past several years, Northwestern has developed study abroad programs in a variety of countries, including Croatia, Mexico, Uganda and China. A similar study abroad program would create a hub for the educational objectives of the sister city initiative. This program, which will be developed in partnership with Northwestern University, Kellogg, and professors at universities in Mumbai as well as university administrators and staff at the Center for Global Engagement, will involve a for-credit "lead in" course, a specific academic program in Mumbai that centers around cross-sector interaction in a globalized world (various "tracks" for students with different interests and study of the intersections of those issues), a formalized internship, and group process and team development through immersion experiences.
We are focusing on Mumbai because currently, Northwestern does not have any formal programs or partnerships in India. Considering the fact that India is a key player in the globalizing world, and Northwestern has committed itself to increasing partnerships with countries in the East, Mumbai is an ideal place for this Sister City Initiative to be based. Northwestern faculty have strong ties to India, and there is a strong presence of Indian leadership on Northwestern's campus (including economics, industrial engineering, and Kellogg) as well as in Chicago. Northwestern is currently in the process of establishing a journalism program in Qatar, joining the movement of prestigious U.S. universities setting up branches in the Middle East, and a program in India would solidify Northwestern's presence in that part of the world. If we are looking for a consistent city that links many students with organizations and on-the-ground contacts, Mumbai's size and prominence allows for diverse student skills and interests to connect with communities.
In summary, the goals of this grant would be to build a foundation for these structures by: Creating a “free flow” of people and ideas between NU students and various actors in Mumbai from a variety of sectors and specialties Establishing a directory of “on the ground” contacts and begin to build relationships to facilitate future student interest in working in India Facilitating further learning about the emerging global presence of India and its relationship to the United States in an increasingly globalized world
How the Topic will be Addressed As a first step in the establishment of a Sister City Initiative, we propose sending five students to spend
time in Mumbai developing the resources necessary to facilitate future outreach work in the city. This group will be composed of students of varying academic disciplines and personal backgrounds and will spend two weeks fortifying existing and exploring new ties with NGOs, academic contacts and other organizations in Mumbai. The five students are: Robert Kett (a Musicology and International Studies double major), Samuel Kleiner (an American Studies major), Ian Epstein (a Performance Studies and Urban Studies double major), Rae Shih (Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences and Social Policy double major), and Nikolai Smith (a Social Policy and International Studies double major). The Grant funding will be used for (1) meeting with a small select group of organizations/institutions that we have identified and have made contact with in order to identify potential partners (listed at end of this proposal); (2) gathering information about needs and resources; and (3) laying the groundwork to establish an organization structure for a sister cities program that will be the basis for applying for further funds. The final product of this first excursion will be a guidebook to be used as a tool for future student initiatives. This resource will first be published online and, with proper funding, in pamphlet form. These materials will provide historical context, social background and discipline-based resources in Mumbai, along with suggestions concerning funding sources and contacts for those looking to perpetuate the Sister City Initiative. In so doing, we hope to provide a means of bypassing what can be long, inefficient, and often prohibitive planning processes as students look to become involved in international initiatives. Following this preliminary work, the group will seek to create an organization on campus that will be capable of promoting the program amongst the Northwestern community, offering assistance to students and student groups looking to do work in Mumbai, and creating opportunities for effective debriefing and continued involvement in Evanston. Should these efforts be successful, the Sister City Initiative will not be limited to the work of individual students, but will become a lasting tool for outreach and international involvement at Northwestern. Our group has already thought about funding sources for these future phases of the project. From our different experiences abroad, we have an array of contacts, both at Northwestern and abroad, that can help us with implementing the initiative and connecting it with our past experiences abroad. The Sister City Initiative fits with the diverse interests and skills of our group as many members of our group have had funding for
projects and study abroad experiences that have led to an interest in the Sister City Initiative and which the Initiative builds upon. In terms of our past global engagement and education experiences, Rae Shih, Nikolai Smith, and Jacob White participated in the Engage Uganda Study Abroad Program this past summer, and Nikolai and Jacob received a Northwestern Research Fund to do work in educational policy and historiography. Also during the last summer, Ian Epstein received an Undergraduate Research Grant to do research in Brazil, while Kelly Kirkpatrick has spent the past fall on global engagement in Thailand. Currently, Nikolai and Robert Kett are doing the Global Cities Program, and Robert received a Study Abroad Research Grant for studying musicology in Mexico City and Paris. These experiences have provided us with an understanding of the different study abroad experiences that Northwestern and our peer institutions offer, and a desire to create new programs for students who want a global education and engagement experience that fits their background, interests and skills. Advisors and References We will be assisted by Northwestern advisors from various departments and offices. Our advisors are: Professor Jeff Rice, a Lecturer of African History who taught and worked with the Engage Uganda program in which several of our group members participated; Professor Paul Arntson, a Professor of Communication Studies who has previously spent more than 5 years in Ethiopia working on community development and has also taught for Engage Uganda; Professor Karen Tranberg Hansen, a Professor of the Anthropology Department who has done extensive work in Namibia; Professor Jody Kretzmann, Co-Director of the AssetBased Community Development (ABCD) Institute; Professor William Reno, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies of Political Science who has done research throughout Africa and on India; Professor Galya Ruffer, Associate Director of the International Studies Program who has worked with several of our group members on international research projects; Bill Anthony of the Study Abroad Office; Sara Vaux of the Fellowships Office; and Christopher Hayden, Assistant to Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Coordinator for Undergraduate Research Grants. Itemized Budget The below budget outlines the total travel expenses (excluding air costs), which the five aforementioned students will budget for the trip to lay the groundwork for the Sister City Initiative and strengthen the
contacts that exist and find new opportunities for Northwestern students: Expenses Mumbai Hostel for 14 nights for 5 people Food for 14 days for 5 people Internet Costs ($1/hour, 10 hrs/week for 2 weeks for 5 people) Bus Card for Transport to Sites ($10/week for 2 weeks for 5 people) Total Cost in Dollars $700 ($10 per night) $630 ($3 per meal) $100 Cost in Indian Rupees* Rs 27,965
Rs 25,168 Rs 3,995
$200
Rs 7,990
$1630**
Rs 65,118
*Based on February 25 exchange rate of 39.950 Rs to 1 dollar (finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?amt=1&from=USD&to=INR&submit=Convert) **Any cost beyond what this grant will fund will be covered by other grants or our own funding.
Time Frame
Spring Quarter 2008 and Summer 2008
Preparation for trip:
Contact students who have done work in India for contacts Create inventory of past student group engagement abroad and what would help them Work on establishing relationships with professor allies Research Indian organizations in the Chicago communities
September 1-14
Trip laying the groundwork for Sister City Initiative
Fall Quarter 2008
Creation of guidebook to be used as a tool for future student initiatives to Mumbai
Winter Quarter 2008
Creation of an organization on campus to promote the program amongst the Northwestern community, offer assistance to students and student groups looking to do work in Mumbai, and create opportunities for effective debriefing and continued involvement in Evanston upon return from Mumbai
This time frame is sufficient to accomplish our goals because it gives us sufficient time to schedule appointments with existing and new contacts and to prepare for the trip.
Mumbai Organizations Northwestern students have many relationships with diverse multi-faceted community organizations in Mumbai, which will aid in involving diverse student groups and interests. Mumbai also has less barriers to cross as other third world-cities as English is the first language, there are many flights between Chicago and Mumbai, and many current Northwestern students and alumni have studied, volunteered, worked, and lived in Mumbai, including the current Chief Justice of the High Court in Mumbai. Northwestern students involved in our Sister City Initiative have connections with the following organizations that work in Mumbai:
Marketplace: Handwork of India (marketplaceindia.org): Evanston-based Indian fair trade NGO that sells products in the Northwestern bookstore and who Nikolai Smith has interned with for the last two years Veerayatan (veerayatan.org): connects different kinds of volunteers to different projects in education, development and humanitarianism Indicorps (indicorps.org): based from the US and takes college students to India to intern for two years and has different innovative volunteer programs Asha for Education (ashanet.org): also US-based student organization dedicated to the support of basic education in India Pratham (pratham.org): an extensive network of societal missions to achieve universal primary education in India International HIV/AIDS Alliance (aidsalliance.org/sw7224.asp): works with a variety of community organizations throughout India and also receives funding from the Gates Foundation and the Abbot Fund (located near Northwestern and already supports GlobeMed, a Northwestern-based group)