Fatema Sumar :- In the realm of international development, one name shines brightly – Fatema Sumar. As the Executive Director of the Center for International Development (CID) at Harvard University, Sumar is not merely a leader; she is a visionary on a mission to build a thriving world for all.
Fatema Sumar’s Remarkable Journey
Sumar’s journey is a tapestry of roles in the U.S. government and civil society. A presidential appointee in the Biden-Harris administration, she served as the Vice President of Compact Operations at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Here, she orchestrated compacts globally, aiming to reduce poverty through strategic economic growth initiatives.
Her earlier role as MCC’s Deputy Vice President for Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America showcased her prowess in managing complex compacts in diverse regions. Additionally, Fatema Sumar served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia at the U.S. Department of State, leaving an indelible mark on U.S. efforts to enhance regional economic and energy connectivity.
In the realm of civil society, Fatema Sumar held the position of Vice President of Global Programs at Oxfam America. Her leadership steered regional development and humanitarian responses, a testament to her commitment to combating the injustice of poverty.
Author and Academic Excellence
Beyond her dynamic career, Fatema Sumar is the author of the enlightening book, The Development Diplomat: Working Across Borders, Boardrooms, and Bureaucracies to End Poverty. This literary contribution reflects her deep insights into the intricate workings of international development.
Fatema Sumar holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs, where she received the prestigious Stokes Award.
Her Bachelor’s in government from Cornell University laid the foundation for her distinguished career. Additionally, Sumar’s honorary doctorate from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey underscores her academic prowess.
A Beacon at Harvard CID
As the newly appointed Executive Director of Harvard CID, Fatema Sumar collaborates with Faculty Director Asim Ijaz Khwaja, steering CID as a leading global research centre in International Development. Her leadership aligns seamlessly with CID’s mission to address pressing development challenges.
In her own words, “CID is on the frontlines of marrying world-class research with the pressing needs of practitioners and leaders in every region of the world.” Sumar’s arrival marks a pivotal moment for CID as it aims to shift and decolonize the development paradigm.
Inspirational Insights on INGO Challenges
In a recent interview, Fatema Sumar addressed the challenges facing International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) in the current global landscape. She emphasized that INGOs are struggling to define their role and relevance in reshaping the interconnected needs of the 21st century.
Fatema Sumar advocates for a proactive role for INGOs, urging them to connect global movements, amplify marginalized voices, and hold various stakeholders accountable. However, she notes that INGOs can become inward-looking, facing internal crises and risking irrelevance when the world is seeking civil society’s leadership.
Strategies for INGO Transformation
To address these challenges, Sumar proposes transformative strategies for INGOs both internally and externally. Internally, she encourages a reevaluation of operational structures, leveraging technology for cost-effective solutions, and promoting accountability from leadership teams.
Externally, Sumar envisions a reframing of the global narrative, challenging traditional norms, and advocating for a rights-based approach.
Sumar’s unique perspective underscores the need for INGOs to evolve with the changing global landscape, embracing innovation and fostering collaboration.
A Trailblazer’s Impactful Insights
Fatema Z. Sumar stands as a trailblazer in the field of international development. Her journey, marked by leadership roles in government, civil society, and academia, reflects a commitment to creating a more just and thriving world.
she takes the helm at Harvard CID, Sumar’s vision for transformative global development promises to shape the future of international cooperation. In the words of Sumar, “As the world faces unprecedented crises, I am excited to work with CID’s dynamic community to urgently find new solutions to reduce global poverty.”
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