Institute for African Development
N’Dri Thérèse Assié-Lumumba
Professor, African and African Diaspora
Additional Information
Program
Role
- Faculty
- IAD Core Faculty
- IAD Advisory Council
Contact
Email: n.assie-lumumba@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-255-7839
Rwanda Audio Lab EP Listening Party
May 8, 2026
2:00 pm
Join us in listening to the musical EP created by our student in the Cornell Spring Break Program in Rwanda - African Popular Music. Our students worked with artists and professionals throughout the semester and onsite in Rwanda over spring break to make a multi-track EP and will be presenting the tracks live on WVBR 93.5 FM this Friday at 2pm ET along with a jam session to follow. We're excited to celebrate all their hard work and the wonderful intercultural collaborations with our partners in Rwanda.
Additional Information
Program
Institute for African Development
"A Nation of Immigrants" NYS Curriculum
The purpose of this curriculum unit plan is to explore the current migration of African citizens to the United States.
Learning Context:
Students will:
• Discuss how one’s cultural identity or ethnicity shapes who you are
• Identify reasons for immigration to America in the past, such as economic
(seeking work) or political reasons, by force (as slaves) and as refugees fleeing war or persecution
Applicable NYS Learning Standards:
NYS English Language Arts Standards:
Standard 1: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.
Reading:
• Collect and interpret data, facts, and ideas from unfamiliar texts
• Use text features, such as captions, charts, tables, graphs, maps, notes, and other visuals, to understand and interpret informational texts
• Use graphic organizers to record significant details from informational texts
Writing:
• Take notes to record data, facts, and ideas both by following teacher direction and by writing independently
If you are interested in learning more, please visit our website here.
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In Memory of Erik Thorbecke
H. E. Babcock Professor of Economics Emeritus
The Einaudi Center mourns the passing of Professor Erik Thorbecke, H. E. Babcock Professor of Economics Emeritus. A pioneering scholar of poverty, inequality, and development economics, he leaves a lasting legacy through his scholarship, teaching, and mentorship. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and former students.
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Hip-Hop Collective Students Showcase
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 @ 6:00pm Africana Studies Auditorium (310 Triphammer Rd).ResKp directs the Cornell Hip Hop Collective (MUS 3616), a for-credit, auditioned ensemble of Cornell students who gather weekly to work on collaborative hip hop performance.
Bartels Lecture: Samantha Power
Former USAID Director Calls for Rebuilding Foreign Aid
Samantha Power challenged students to “build what comes next” during the Bartels World Affairs Lecture on April 16.
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Cornell Students' Immersive Short-term Research Experience in Malawi
In January 2026, Professor Rachel Bezner Kerr traveled with Sabine Paz-Le Draoulec (Environment and Sustainability) and Bryn Terwilliger (Agricultural Science) to Ekwendeni, Malawi.
The purpose of their trip was to learn about Malawian rural communities and participatory research on agroecological farming methods, climate change adaptation, nutrition and addressing social inequities such as gender.
Alongside Dr. Bezner Kerr and her collaborating research partners, Soils, Food and Healthy Communities (SFHC), Bryn and Sabine took part in current research activities for the AGILE for Climate project which is focused on participatory research with 100 farmers on agroecological methods for climate change adaptation and several other research activities. At SFHC, students joined others to carry out ongoing training and research activities on a range of topics, including agroecological practices, regional markets, climate services and food waste.
The primary objectives were to contribute to participatory, interdisciplinary research on climate change adaptation in agri-food systems in northern Malawi and to gain insights into food security and sustainable agriculture challenges in Malawi. Activities included farmer interviews, focus group discussions, field visits and data collection, possibly testing different weather information delivery methods and helping to coordinate a project workshop to share current findings with farmers and discuss next steps. The students also had other opportunities, such as visiting urban agroecological markets and participating in recipe exchanges and field days.
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Information Session: Careers for International Relations Minors
April 29, 2026
11:00 am
Join the International Relations Minor for a virtual career information session featuring Cornell alumni working in diplomacy, education, and law. Panelists will reflect on their career paths, share advice on internships, graduate school, and professional transitions, and answer student questions about careers connected to international relations.
Register here.
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Speakers
Eric Andersen is the Political-Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Maputo, Mozambique. Having joined the U.S. State Department in 2009, he previously served as Political Counselor (Acting) in Islamabad, Pakistan. His other assignments have included Cairo, Kyiv, and Khartoum, as well as in Washington, D.C. as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Prior to entering the Foreign Service, he spent four years on Capitol Hill as a Professional Staff Member for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. In his first stint with the U.S. Government, he flew the SH-60B “Seahawk” helicopter as an aviator in the U.S. Navy. He holds an M.A. in Security Policy from the George Washington University, and a A.B. in English Literature from Cornell University (Class of 1996).
Angie Yucht Swenson, M.S.Ed., Ed.M., is the founder and principal tutor of AYS Tutoring and Consulting, a practice she launched after more than a decade working in both private and public schools across New York City. She specializes in supporting elementary through high school students with learning challenges and has worked with families from diverse international backgrounds, including Russia, Israel, and France. Angie graduated from Cornell University in 2010, majoring in Human Development and minoring in International Relations, followed by a master’s in General and Special Education from Hunter College, and a master’s in School Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. She resides in NYC with her husband, two daughters, and a goldendoodle.
Emma Marshak is a commercial litigator in Washington, DC who specializes in judgment enforcement. She has enforced domestic and international judgments, including awards from investor-state arbitration, in federal and state courts across the United States.
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This session is presented by the Einaudi Center for International Studies. The International Relations minor is open to all Cornell undergraduate students interested in learning about the politics, economics, history, languages, and cultures of the world.
Additional Information
Program
Einaudi Center for International Studies
Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies
East Asia Program
Southeast Asia Program
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Institute for African Development
Institute for European Studies
South Asia Program
Migrations Program
Southwest Asia and North Africa Program