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The Warwick International Development Society Ambassador Pack 2014 – 2015
The Warwick International
Development Society
Ambassador Pack 2014 – 2015
Copyright © Warwick International Development Society 2
Dear Potential Ambassador,
The Warwick International Development Society (WIDS) is a society, based at the
University of Warwick, UK, which provides a platform for the discussion of diverse
international development issues and encourages students to engage with academics and
practitioners in a collaborative forum. Our centrepiece Summit held annually in
November attracts global names and an international audience, featuring previous
speakers such as Jeffrey Sachs and Mahmoud Mohieldin.
As part of our Ambassador programme, we aim to collaborate with students beyond
Warwick who are interested in international development. You will be a representative
for your institution, enabling students to come here to Warwick to experience the largest
student-run development summit in the UK as well as access to the many opportunities
we have to offer as a society such as internship, exclusive volunteering placements or even
socials.
The Ambassador programme has already generated interest and attracted many students
from an array of institutions nationally and internationally in previous years. Being a
representative for our society brings great benefits such as being able to demonstrate your
creativity, to perfect your marketing skills, and to play an active part in a world-renowned
academic conference.
We hope you enjoy reading the Ambassador pack we have produced to outline our history,
goals, achievements and how you can get involved.
Yours Sincerely,
Stephanie Ifayemi & Riko Yamada
Warwick International Development Society Co-ordinators
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About WIDS ....................................................................................................................... 4
Membership ......................................................................................................................... 5
WIDS Vision 2014/15 ........................................................................................................ 9
Student Engagement ......................................................................................................... 10
Ambassadors ...................................................................................................................... 12
Contact .............................................................................................................................. 14
Contents
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About WIDS
Our vision
The Warwick International Development Society (WIDS) aims to provide a platform for
engagement, inspiration and learning opportunities, establishing itself as Warwick’s
central and leading society in world affairs.
Background
WIDS organises the UK’s largest student-run development summit, the Warwick
Development Summit.
WIDS has hosted renowned speakers including the former President of Uruguay, Mr.
Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera; Chief Economist of the World Trade Organisation, Mr.
Patrick Low; Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon; and Director
of the Earth Institute, Columbia University, Mr. Jeffrey Sachs, all of whom have engaged
and inspired students from around the world.
Before and after every Summit, WIDS produces magazines centred on the theme of the
summit for the year. The magazine is circulated around the University and online,
engaging a broad audience all over campus and beyond.
In 2013/14, WIDS launched an internship scheme in collaboration with the International
Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, Philippines, providing internship
opportunities for students to experience work overseas.
Alongside the Summit and Internship Scheme, WIDS continues to host many events
throughout the year, ranging from career events, monthly lecture series to networking and
social events. WIDS has maintained a website over the years committed to providing
regular news regarding the society, its events, sponsors and other development-related
news.
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Membership
WIDS has a very diverse membership. As an ambassador, you will joining our very diverse
demographic here at Warwick!
75%
23%
Age Range
16 - 17 18 - 21 22 - 25 26 - 30 30 +
44%
55%
Sex
Male Female Unspecified
47%
8%
Nationality
British SingaporeanIndian FrenchMalaysian GermanKorean (South) AmericanRomanian ChineseNigerian DutchPakistani MoroccanCypriot SwedishChinese (Hong Kong) LithuanianJapanese GhanianTrinidadian and Tobagonian KenyanTanzanian PolishItalian PortugeseGreek NorwegianBrazilian TurkishMexican RussianKazakhstan ThaiBulgarian TaiwaneseBarbadian EmiratiHungarian AustrianEnglish British National (Overseas)Bangladeshi
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55%
25%
Year of Study
1 2 3 4 Unspecified
46%
16%
Subject
Economics Politics & International Studies
Law Business
History Life Sciences
French Studies Statistics
Engineering Mathematics
Sociology English & Comparative Literary Studies
German Studies History of Art
Centre for Education Studies Systems Biology
Computer Science Comparative American Studies
Classics & Ancient History Psychology
Philosophy
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People of Development
Voices of students at the University of Warwick. The future of development…
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WIDS Vision
2014/15
The Warwick Development Summit
Last year, the theme for the Development Summit was The Story of Development which
looked at the narratives of people in development.
For 2014/15 we aim to look at development from
an array of perspectives incorporating regions as
well as specialisations. In looking at development in
this way, we hope to shift away from the
mainstream view and approach to development that
focuses solely on issues such as aid, international
NGO’s and charities and go beyond this, looking
at: engineering infrastructure; regional
entrepreneurship; medicine and pharmaceuticals; the rule of law and ideas that engages a
new focus for discussion.
This year’s vision endorses innovation, discussion, and ideas and concepts. As we approach the
end of the 2015 Millennium goals, we want to look back at development and assess what
has really been changed in the past few years, and what new steps should be taken to
approach development.
Innovation is key in the branding of new ideas, and this will inevitably encapsulate a
broader audience. Let’s make development exciting!
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Student
Engagement
Monthly Lecture Series
Building on the successes of previous years, WIDS plans on increasing the number of
learning opportunities available to its members by formalising a monthly lecture series,
inviting speakers from around the world to engage students at the University of Warwick
every month alongside our centrepiece event, the Development Summit.
Career, Networking & Social Events
WIDS aims to expand the opportunities members can take advantage of to find out more
about possible career paths as well as socialise and make lasting friendships.
WIDS has more than 250 official members from the University of Warwick in the
academic year 2013/14. We plan on expanding it to 300 throughout the academic year
2014/15.
Blog
WIDS has a blog on development, inviting contributions from professionals, academics
and students from around the world. Access to this is through our website.
Photo: Ambassador Bilahari Kausikan at WIDS diplomacy in development lecture.
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Website, Online & Social Media Presence
Our website is http://www.wids.org.uk/. We use this website to enable our users to find
out information on how to get involved with WIDS from: purchasing tickets to attend our
summit or monthly lecture series to writing for our blog.
We have also developed an active social media presence through Twitter and Facebook
with over 950 likes on our Facebook page and 350 followers on Twitter.
WIDS2014 @WIDS_2014
Visit our internal Student’s Union page accessible to all students at the University of
Warwick. This page provides information on our society and enables prospective
members sign up to WIDS. http://www.warwicksu.com/societies/internationaldev/
A few examples of WIDS’ social networking posts.
Photo: WIDS exec with UK Secretary of State for International
Development, Rt. Hon Justine Greening at Warwick.
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Ambassadors
As an Ambassador, you are responsible for representing and promoting WIDS nationally
and overseas through social networking, distributing posters and flyers. You are the local
point of contact for students at your university on information regarding the Summit and
are strongly encouraged to organise a delegation of fellow students to attend the Summit.
Ambassadors will work closely with our
External Marketing team and your role
ranges from improving/establishing our
campus presence within your university to
answering queries of interested students and
updating them on our latest news. Taking the
role of an Ambassador provides you with a
great amount of freedom and gives you the
possibility to promote the Summit in ways
you are comfortable with – so be creative!
We will support you along the way and
provide you with materials to fulfil this role.
You will work closely with our designers to
produce campus specific marketing
materials.
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Role Specification
Be a WIDS representative on your university campus and perhaps even within the
region Promote and market WIDS, predominantly the Summit, as well as the lecture
series and debates. There will be an expected target of students for you to bring to
the Summit. Additionally, you will promote our media activities, such as the
magazine and blog Answer any questions and provide all information and updates to students at your
respected university Engage with social media to update posts and mobilise engagement and interest Actively engage, collaborate and update our marketing on any progress and issues
occurring throughout the year
What you will gain
The University of Warwick is a consistently top ten ranked university.
Becoming an Ambassador is an excellent opportunity for you to demonstrate your
creativity, to perfect your marketing skills, and to play an active part in a world-renowned
academic conference.
In addition, upon successful fulfilment of your role, we will provide you with certain
advantages such as free Summit tickets, and possibly free accommodation and/or
transport.
‘UN Women counts on partners like you and forums such as the
Warwick International Development Summit to raise awareness and
take action for women’s rights worldwide.’
Michelle Bachelet
Executive Director of UN Women, Former President of Chile (2006 – 2010)
‘Thanks for organizing an excellent conference and being such
wonderful hosts. I really enjoyed the event, the turnout was great and
people took the topic seriously and were keen to discuss it.’
Dr. Branko Milanovic
Lead Economist, World Bank
‘Approximately one and a half
billion people, about a quarter of
the world’s population, live in
fragile or conflict-affected areas.
I am pleased that the Warwick
International Development
Summit will study how best to
aid these societies.’
Louise Arbour
UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights, Former justice of
the Supreme Court of Canada
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Contact
For more information, or to apply to become an Ambassador, please contact:
Marketing Department
Samina Yaqoob
Head of Marketing
David Henning
Head of External Marketing
Balazs Vincze
Deputy Head of External Marketing
Contact Address
Warwick International Development Society
Student’s Union
University of Warwick
Coventry
CV4 7AL
United Kingdom
Co-ordinators
Stephanie Ifayemi
WIDS Co-ordinator
+44 (0) 7447921040
Riko Yamada
WIDS Co-ordinator
+44 (0) 7577383675
