2024 Graduation Stories: Christian Menin

Christian Menin believes in the transformative power of every individual to make a significant, positive impact on others and society. After graduating from Duke Sanford with the Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) degree, Christian plans to use his knowledge and experiences to advance peacebuilding dialogue, support political efforts and promote development in conflicted and post-conflict regions.

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Reflecting on his MIDP program experience, Christian shares: “Being an MIDP fellow has equipped me with the essential knowledge, skills and perspectives needed to navigate complex environments and address significant global challenges effectively. The preparation and critical analysis skills I developed during the program have contributed to helping me approach my work with confidence and competence.”

After nearly a decade of hands-on experiences addressing complex social issues across various domains in Latin America, Christian, who is from Brazil, sought to deepen his understanding of the dynamics affecting these issues. He chose to join the Duke MIDP program two years ago for its interdisciplinary curriculum that had the flexibility for him to pursue his interests in peacebuilding and conflict resolution and take courses offered outside the Sanford School of Public Policy. The program’s connection to the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center, one of seven Rotary Peace Centers in the world, also played a role in his decision.

Jointly managed by the Duke Center for International Development (DCID) and UNC’s Office of the Vice Provost for Global Affairs, the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center trains Rotary Peace Fellows using a holistic approach combining conflict resolution methods, peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

As a Rotary Peace Fellow, Christian took courses at both Duke and UNC and earned a Certificate in Peace and Conflict Resolution from UNC. At the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center’s 21st annual spring conference, he presented his research project, “Peace for Whom? Broken Promises in Colombia.”

To complement his interest and experiences in Latin America and the Caribbean, Christian additionally earned a Certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from Duke’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and completed a summer internship with the Latin America Program at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, D.C. For his master’s project, he analyzed and explored potential solutions for rebuilding state capacity in Haiti.

Outside the classroom, Christian took an active role as a student leader. He served on the executive board of the Sanford Latin American and Caribbean student group, which received the honor of Graduate and Professional Student Group of the Year from the Duke International Student Center. He also served on the MIDP Student Council and helped organize the “Navigating the Path Out of Violence and Chaos in Haiti - A Latin American Security Challenge” and “Peacebuilding in the Middle East: Listening to Local Perspectives” campus events.

“As I move forward, I carry with me not only the knowledge gained, but also the profound connections forged during my time at Duke, shaping how I engage with the world and make a meaningful impact,” Christian says.

Q&A with Christian Menin

What is a course that stood out to you?

“Armed Conflicts and Civil War” with Prof. Shelley Liu. Since I’m really interested in the topic, it was a great opportunity to learn the theory of conflicts and all the details behind it. The assigned readings were really interesting, and for someone with field experience, it was great to have access to academic papers and theories on the topics.

What’s your favorite part of being an MIDP fellow?

Two things: The diversity of the cohort and the Duke campus.

The diversity of the cohort, with so many different countries represented, generates a tight-knit community, with people helping each other and growing together. I will end up having friends all over the world! The invaluable opportunity to learn from my peers, each bringing their unique perspectives, cultures, and experiences to the table, has enriched my understanding of global issues and strengthened my ability to collaborate across borders.

Duke offers an unbelievable quantity of activities and possibilities. A student can never cover everything that happens in the campus. I was never bored!

What is your advice for incoming MIDP fellows?

Make friends, be yourself, try to find balance between academic and social life, live the campus life, don’t get limited to Sanford’s environment, study for stats, and try to leave as less credit as possible for the final semester. And enjoy the free food.

The Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) program is a self-designed, interdisciplinary degree that equips mid-career professionals from around the world with the analytical tools and technical expertise necessary to become global leaders in sustainable development efforts. It is administered by the Duke Center for International Development (DCID), which is based in the Sanford School of Public Policy. DCID promotes sustainable development through its research, education and engagement with students, policymakers, practitioners, development partners, civil society, and the private sector.