{"id":13193,"date":"2022-11-22T14:48:30","date_gmt":"2022-11-22T14:48:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.golive.clarku.edu\/news\/2022\/11\/22\/clark-alum-in-africa-rises-to-the-challenge-of-climate-change\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T14:55:39","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T18:55:39","slug":"clark-alum-in-africa-rises-to-the-challenge-of-climate-change","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/news\/2022\/11\/22\/clark-alum-in-africa-rises-to-the-challenge-of-climate-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Clark alum in Africa rises to the challenge of climate change"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

After earning his master\u2019s degree, Aougouri Romain Kiragoulou returned to his home of Burkina Faso, West Africa, where he helps advance community development initiatives and assists people who were forced to leave their homes due to the disastrous effects of climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assists those displaced by disastrous environmental impacts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Aougouri Romain Kiragoulou, M.A. \u201922, success has always been measured by the impact he can have on the lives of others. During his time at Clark, Kiragoulou specialized in international development with a concentration in refugees, forced migration, and belonging \u2014 a passion he has carried forward into his personal and professional lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After earning his master\u2019s degree from the International Development, Community, and Environment Department, Kiragoulou returned to his home of Burkina Faso, West Africa, where he helps grassroots associations advance community development initiatives. \u201cI want to push my education to better the local community,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiragoulou assists people who were forced to leave their homes due to the disastrous effects of climate change, with an emphasis on ensuring that those with disabilities can settle into their new community and participate fully in efforts to foster both personal and communal growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese are people who typically are left out of community development projects,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiragoulou works as a behavioral and social change lead, who focuses on strengthening interpersonal relationships among Burkina Faso\u2019s residents to create an environment that is welcoming and productive for all. He helps manage personal development and growth opportunities for grassroots associations, company personnel, and handles vocational training for students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BELOW: Aougouri Romain Kiragoulou, M.A. \u201922, was interviewed last year about his Clark experience. The interview was recently posted in celebration of International Education Week. Story continues after video.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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