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Student Association of International Affairs and Development
SAIAD – international affairs, networking, development, community, diplomacy
On December the 6th, 17 students from different programmes at the Jagiellonian University, in company of 2 graduate advisors, founded the Student Association of International Affairs and Development. SAIAD is a self-formed, self-governed, autonomous -University Student Organization- that aims to promote international cooperation between the Polish and international communities at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków with the rest of the world, in regard to the fields of international affairs and development through the implementation of projects within its six operative sections such as: National, European and International Cooperation; Communications, Social Affairs, Gender Equality and Development. SAIAD operates on a University level and accepts members from all the faculties and programmes at the JU. If you believe that you can improve international skills through the practical use of networking and diplomacy while belonging to a pro-active and positive community, then SAIAD is for you.
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SAIAD organized Study Trip to Vienna 22/23
SAIAD successfully organised a two-day study trip to the beautiful city of Vienna. The students got an opportunity to visit the ICMPD, OPEC Fund for International Development, UN headquarters and OSCE. The pleasing academic trip was a much-needed break from the four walls of the university and see how the world of international relations works. The trip sparked many intellectually stimulating debates and motivated all of us to expand our horizons and dream big.
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SAIAD Projects
Kazimierz Series
The Kazimierz Series is a dynamic joint project between SAISAD and KSSM that aims to create consciousness about migration through the publication of the migration stories behind small entrepreneurs in Kraków.
The project has three stages of implementation that go from the selection, official logo’s design, initial round of interviews and generation of questions in the first stage; the second stage with the final round of interviews and publication of the stories; and the last and third stage with the organization of a networking event to connect the participants with the public and private sectors.
“Kazimierz” is a reference to the iconic Kazimierz III Wielki, who granted privileges and protections in favor of migrant Jewish communities, to settle in Poland.
Valentine’s Letters
The project consists in a form in which people will be able to send kind anonymous (or signed) messages on Valentine’s day to people they admire.
Operation Diplomat
This project aims at teaching SAIAD members public speaking skills and will be made in cooperation with Elsa Krakow. It will be divided into two parts: theoretical and practical. The first part will consist of lectures on artificial intelligence and war and defence in space. The second part will focus on workshops on public speaking, self-presentation and creation of logical and comprehensive argumentation and correct structure in speeches with focus on implementing the above skills through public speaking and debating exercises.
Legends of Kazimierz
Historic guided tour about the life of Polish Jews in Kazimierz. The duration of the tour is 1 hour and 20 minutes. The main goal of the event is to give an overview of the Polish-Jewish culture in Poland and introduce the participants to the most popular Jewish legends of Krakow.
Anti-Human Trafficking Workshop
Being an expert in human trafficking, with years of experience, working in its prevention at the grassroots level in Mexico and Latin America, Maria Creel, will provide us a 2-day workshop with theoretical and practical examples of project implementation in the field of security, specifically in the context of Mexico.
How to apply for International Organization
The project presents experts with experience on the field to provide testimonies on how to apply for International Organizations.
Uterus and Choice
Workshop to explain abortion from a feminist and public health perspective. In this workshop, the intention is to explain this issue from a quantitative point, considering women’s bodies and choices. The speaker will show different angles to the debate. There will also be a Q&A moment, for participants to clarify their doubts considering the issue.
Stand against domestic violence
This project is multifaced and intends to create awareness about domestic violence and abuse, and help people identify it, denounce in the necessary cases, and support victims. The intention is to bring this issue to light and create a net of safety and resources to build a safer society.
Some people suffer from domestic violence and abuse without realizing the seriousness of it. This project aims to hold workshops, training, and publications to achieve effective results, being a long-term project.
NATO Youth Delegate
In this informal lecture the representative of North Atlantic Treaty Organization Youth Delegate of Poland will give us insight on many issues considering the Organization. We will get information about Poland’s position in NATO with a security point of view and basic insight about NATO in Europe. We will also be educated on how to get involved in the NATO organization as a young person and other useful information for people seeking to work with the international organization.
UN Polish Youth Delegate
Agnieszka Wojcik was an United Nations Youth Delegate of Poland durin 2019 to 2020. She will be able to tell us about her experiences being a youth delegate and how she manage dit being a young person. She will also provide us a clear view of United Nations role in the world. What kind of collaborations UN is involved in what kind of actions it takes.
Recruitment experiences at UNODC
In this project we will cooperate with Suzana Paz, the head of Human Resources of United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime Mexico. She has been part of many interviews with people looking to work for the United Nations and thus her experience and guidance will help us to acquire the practical knowledge of the recruitment process used in big international organizations. Suzana Paz is the perfect professional to help us fulfil our knowledge and readiness for future interviews with international organizations.
UJ top graduates testimony
In this project, two (or more) top graduates from the Jagiellonian University will participate in creating an output, which should help other students, current and potential, in managing their expectations for before, during and after Master’s programs.
Cybersecurity workshop
This project is a cooperative one with AGH, where the aim is to create and hold a co-hosted workshop focused on cybersecurity. AGH will bring in the practical technological knowledge, while SAIAD will add theoretical and politically oriented perspective to the matter- this should create a multi-dimensional and educational workshop for the participants.
Cooperation with the University of Warsaw
This project is aimed at facilitating cooperation between SAIAD and the University of Warsaw. A selected individual from there will share their experiences working with/in the UN, to help students that are potentially interested in working in such environment to breach the psychological gap between expectations and reality.
Entrepreneurs rounds
As networking is one of the main objectives of SAIAD, building up relationships with the private sector is fundamental. The rounds consist on visits to the shops that help out to improving our networking skills and help out entrepreneurs in Krakow.
Brainstorming Happy Hour
The event is focused on people from inside SAIAD. The idea of the event is to unite everyone to make a big brainstorming. The goal is to leave some ideas for the future so the next generation of team leaders can have where to start or can use these ideas if they like them, or when they have a creative block and need somewhere to start. The event will also be good to integrate all the members of SAIAD so we can get to know each other a bit more.
Environmental Activities
Joint activities with the Student Self-Government that aim at creating consciousness around environmental topics based on the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations.
Meet & Greet with a Former United Nations Youth Delegate
The project aims at obtaining the best experiences from a Former United Nations Youth Delegate to help the students into their professional paths.
Operation Diplomat: Climate Action
Operation Diplomat is an international project made by students for students.
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SAIAD Management Board 22/23
Claris Diaz - Co-chair of SAIAD
Greetings! My name is Claris Diaz, co-chair of SAIAD. Originally from California, I am a master’s student in International Security and Development. My academic background is in science and my current research interests involve national security, intelligence, and technology. I love to run, hike, and travel off the beaten path with nothing but my backpack.
Nicole Kulon - Human Resources
My name is Nicole Kulon, Human Resources Coordinator of SAIAD. I am from Chicago, IL, USA, and pursuing my master's degree in International Relations and Public Diplomacy. My bachelor's degree was in Business Management and Marketing. I am interested in learning about international children's organizations and sustainability. I love to sing, hang out with friends, and cook!
Sneha Chakrabarti - Secretary
Greeting everyone! I am Sneha Chakrabarti from India. I am super glad to be working as the secretary of SAIAD with such amazing people. I am a voracious reader and a big foodie. Academically my interests involve Geopolitics and Economics. I am in the first year of my master's and studying IRPUB. I wish the best regards to the future entrants of SAIAD.
Yana Kopyna: Co-chair of SAIAD
Hello everyone! My name is Yana and I am a Chairwoman of SAIAD. I am a third-year IRAS student. I am Ukrainian. My biggest interests are international law, traveling, foreign languages, environmental problems, and solutions. Also, I like to read psychological books and spend time with my friends. I am very excited and honored to be in this position this year.
My name is Giorgi Rakviashvili, Treasurer of SAIAD. I am from Tbilisi, Georgia and I am part of the ISAD (International Security and Development) master’s program. I graduated from Tbilisi State Medical University, where I was studying medicine. My interests are strongly connected to human security from economic, humanitarian, and food security perspectives. In my free time, I work out, spend time with my international friends and read.
Altynay Zhanayeva - Social Affairs Team and International Cooperation Team
I am Altynay Zhanayeva from Kazakhstan. I am a master's student studying International security and development. I am interested in peacebuilding, international security and development of countries. Also, I am pretty into learning foreign languages, spending time with my friends and cooking!
Gahraman Ismayilov - International Cooperation Team and Public Relations and Recruitment Team
Gahraman Ismayilov (Azerbaijan) is currently a member of the International Cooperation Team of SAIAD, where he contributes to the organization's efforts to promote international cooperation and development through various projects. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in International Security and Development. Furthermore, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in the field of Law. During his time in Azerbaijan, Gahraman was an active member of the European Law Students' Association (ELSA), where he served as the Director of Law Review. In addition, he is a Global Peace Ambassador for the Global Peace Chain, which is a platform for promoting peace and social harmony around the world.
Hello! My name is Maja Sikora, I am Polish/Scottish, and I am currently studying International Relations and Public Diplomacy. I previously studied languages for my integrated master's degree at the University of Glasgow. Academically, I am interested in cultural diplomacy and the use of soft power throughout the world. In my free time, I love to travel, learn more languages, do some beekeeping, and spend some time on the Scottish lochs!
Mehran Atashjameh - International Cooperations Team
Greetings. My name is Mehran Atashjameh and I'm from Iran. I'm a Second Year Master's Student in the International Security and Development (ISAD) program. I'm Interested in Security and Strategic Studies and I Want to pursue my Ph.D. I'm really excited to be in SAIAD this year.
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SAIAD Management Board 20/21
Marco Reyes-Bernal is the Chairman of the SAIAD organization.
He leads the seven branches of the Board and oversees the functioning of the entire structure. Marco represents the organization in and outside of the University, visualizes new projects, identifies opportunities and closes deals with our counterparts.
Esther Staes is the General Coordinator of SAIAD.
Esther is dealing with the communication between the Board and the rest of our structure; she is also managing the administration and deadlines related to the different projects.
François Paquot is the SAIAD Secretary.
He is responsible for taking notes and formalizing all decisions relating to the operation of SAIAD, as well as archiving them. In addition, he acts in support of the rest of the Board in order to provide them with an adequate administrative framework. Finally, he is in charge of intergenerational relations for future former members of the organization.
Kaja Jakubiec, Human Resources of SAIAD.
Kaja looks after all the members of the organization. She is taking care of everyone's well-being, having introductory talks, formalizing new members, and also solving interpersonal conflicts.
Ekrem Gökçe is the Treasurer of SAIAD.
The Treasurer monitors the budget and budget related issues, as well as distribution of the funds among the projects and also looks for funds in the faculty, university, at the national and international level that can be used for projects in the organization.
Dominika Targosz is responsible for Public Relations in the SAIAD organization.
She is creating and looking for collaborations with new partners and institutions for the SAIAD projects. She also supports each one of the branches of the Board when Polish is the only language that could be used.
Caetano Dallora is the SAIAD Attorney.
He is responsible for the legal advisory of the organization.
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SAIAD Teams
The Communications Team is responsible for activities related to the promotion and design of the image of the organization and projects through the social media.
The National Cooperation Team focuses on activities in Poland, with local counterparts such as the Jagiellonian University in Kraków and other universities, Polish official institutions, private partners, and NGOs.
The Social Affairs Team is in charge of bringing people together wih activities from a non-academic perspective. Reminding the students the joy of life and the sense of belonging to a student community.
The European Cooperation Team manages projects implemented on a continental level; additionally organize activities that involve the United Nations, the European Union and its development and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its security related mandate.
The International Cooperation Team is in charge of activities and projects to understand international affairs from the often unknown perspectives of the different regions of the world.
The Gender Equality Team is focused on raising awareness about the importance of the gender perspective as a transversal pillar towards the evolution of international affairs and development.
The Development Team focuses on projects related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, helping out the students to understand the challenges of this century and how cooperation can improve the lives of human beings around the world.
For our community, it is fundamental to maintain contact with the UJ graduates.
No one better than them, to support the students in their professional steps by providing practical experience and helping to expand their network.
The Graduate Advisors offer advice and support when required by the teams. Their experience in diverse topics provide a more approach towards the implementation of certain projects