Noor Kazi

Midpoint Reflection — Post 2

I am two weeks into my remote internship at the Research Society of International Law (RSIL), a research and policy institution based in Lahore, Pakistan. RSIL conducts research on Pakistan’s international legal obligations as well as important domestic and international legal issues. Coming into this summer, I knew I wanted to work for a policy organization based in Pakistan. As a Pakistani-American, I have always kept up with political and policy changes within the country, but I have never had the chance to grasp the intricacies behind how policies are introduced to the government and passed into federal legislation. Working for a research organization directly involved with Pakistani policy formulation and consultation grants me the unique opportunity to investigate the key issues facing Pakistanis today, the legislative process in Pakistan, and the deep complexities of policy formulation and implementation that one cannot understand unless working directly in the field. This experience has also allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the role that international organizations and laws play in impacting Pakistan’s legislative actions

It has been an extremely enriching experience working with a small, highly knowledgeable, and passionate team at RSIL, who are deeply committed to understanding Pakistani law and the role that international law plays in influencing Pakistan’s legal system. Initially, I was nervous about working for a team in Pakistan as my Urdu is not the best and I knew I would come in with a lot of questions regarding Pakistan’s legal and political system. However, the team and interns have been nothing but supportive and welcoming to me and have helped me learn more than I ever could have imagined about Pakistan’s political landscape and legislative system. During my time with RSIL, I have had the opportunity to dive into researching international law and the role of international organizations at a deep level and lead an individual research project on criminal justice legislation regarding juvenile justice in Pakistan.

It has been an amazing summer having the opportunity to understand Pakistan’s legislative process in a way I never could have otherwise. I am excited to continue fostering my Urdu skills, deep-diving into researching pertinent policy issues and legislation, and understanding more about the role I hope to play in the world as a future lawyer. 

This month I am traveling to Pakistan for the first time in 16 years with my family (independent of the ECS) and upon my return, I am spending enriching time in D.C. this August through the Eve Carson Scholarship where I will be attending policy events focusing on international law and human rights, like the annual Muslim Leadership Symposium in Congress. I can’t thank the Eve Carson Scholarship enough for granting me such amazing opportunities this summer, and I look forward to sharing future updates!

Pre-Departure Reflection — Post 1

This summer, I am spending most of my time in the U.S. and traveling with family during the month of July. I am working with the Research Society of International Law, focusing on international policy research and development. Additionally, I am attending civil and human rights law conferences and events to deepen my understanding of the human rights law sphere in the U.S. and the latest concerns and developments in the field. These events will provide me with opportunities to speak with and learn from esteemed professionals working for various organizations in the human rights sector. I plan to pursue a career in human rights law and am excited about the opportunities to learn more about the intricacies of the field and to discover where I see my future in it.

My experience working in international policy research and development this summer will allow me to gain a deeper understanding of the differences in countries’ legislation, as well as their practices in law, government regulation, and oversight. I aim to understand how countries collaborate, how interdependent they are, and how this interdependence is impacted during times of crisis and conflict. I also hope to gain insight into political international bodies and their policies, how different countries fulfill their obligations to these bodies, and the varying degree of jurisdiction and support these entities provide to their member states. Throughout my summer, I hope to identify deficiencies in the rule of law among the countries I research and explore policies that can address these issues.  

By working with an international policy research and development organization and attending relevant conferences and events, I hope to learn how different firms and national and international organizations collaborate to address human rights issues worldwide. I want to understand the work of human rights lawyers at these various levels, identify gaps in the field, and explore ways to improve human rights initiatives in the U.S. and abroad. This experience will help me determine where I hope to be in the legal realm, and I am excited to dedicate my summer to exploring my passion for advancing civil and human rights through law. 

While I am nervous about diving into the world of international policy and law, an area I have not previously worked in, I am excited about the new insights I will gain. With my background working closely with civil rights law firms in America and conducting policy research with the UNC Policy Think Tank and in the U.S. Congress, I feel well-prepared for this journey of growth and exploration. 

I hope to return to UNC with a clear vision of the type of law I want to practice, along with valuable relationships with mentors who can help guide me as I navigate through post-grad. I look forward to sharing my experiences and insights with my fellow policy and pre-law peers. I am incredibly grateful to the Eve Carson Scholarship for granting me once-in-a-lifetime experiences that allow me to learn more about myself and my place in the world.