Robyn Bertholon
IDSC/MA '03

1. Please describe your present professional position? Please include the URL of your organization.

I work as the Head of Mission for Première Urgence, a French NGO. Currently I am living in Abkhazia (a de facto state trying to win its independence from Georgia since the fall of the Soviet Union. It is recognized as a part of Georgia by the international community). I supervise two programs: The first focuses on improving livelihoods and food security for farmers and artisans by distributing start-up kits and providing technical advice. The second program rehabilitates homes for extremely vulnerable populations living in Abkhazia.

URL: www.premiere-urgence.org

2. What do you find satisfying about your position?

Naturally, assisting the poorest of the poor is satisfying. I also love the community where I work. My colleagues are wonderful and I’m in a beautiful location, only one minute from the Black Sea. Finally, I am enjoying learning the Russian language.

3. How did the program at Clark University help to prepare you?

A lot of my work requires research and monitoring, so certainly the IDSC research course helped to prepare me. In addition, the IDSC conflict and negotiation course, as well as the development theory course provided me with the necessary analytical skills to improve my programs.

4. Why should prospective students enroll in the program at Clark University?

Two reasons: First, the development theory course provided me a great foundation for my field work. Second, GIS courses are really helpful for conducting interesting monitoring and evaluation.

5. Did you have an internship as part of your Clark education? If so, how did it help to connect you to your current career?

Yes, I worked with an organization called Cultural Survival. Certainly the field research in Mali associated with my research paper helped to strengthen my curriculum vitae and current professional experiences.

6. What was the topic of your research while at Clark University?

The socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities of Bozo Fishers in Djenne, Mali.