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For their latest field trip, members of the International Relations Policy Task Force (IRTF) Learning Community at the Schar School of Policy and Government visited Razom, a nonprofit Ukrainian-American human rights organization established in 2014. The mission of Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, is to unlock the country’s potential. The organization is dedicated to promoting a secure, prosperous, and democratic Ukraine through civic engagement efforts.
During the excursion to Razom’s office near Capitol Hill, students spoke with Senior Advisor Melinda Haring and Director of Government Affairs Scott Cullinane. The two discussed their advocacy efforts and policy advancement work.
A highlight for Hakeem Osman, a junior government and international politics major and IRTF member, was talking with Haring and Cullinane about the skills needed to be a successful lobbyist.
The humility of Haring and Cullinane about their work resonated with Osman.
“Even though they are leveraging information and attempting to persuade lawmakers to pass certain legislation, they aren’t looking to seek the credit for getting those things passed,” he said. “You really have to be passionate to pursue this line of work because if you’re not, you’re ultimately going to check out and you’re not going to be effective in your pursuits.”
After the office discussion, IRTF students and Razom colleagues continued the conversation over lunch at Ruta, Washington D.C.’s first Ukrainian restaurant. Students were able to ask additional questions about policy advocacy and learned about how to get involved with Razom’s mission.
Overall, it was a successful day, Osman says, and important for the IRTF members.
“What we’re doing in the IRTF is we’re preparing future policymakers,” he said. “It’s essential that we go on these trips because it brings us face to face with the reality of policymaking. With these trips, you really get an inside look at what actually transpires on the Hill.”