Latest news with #HarvardKennedySchool
New York Times
a day ago
- General
- New York Times
Jacinda Ardern Thinks World Leaders Need More Kindness
It is easy to forget that Jacinda Ardern is a former prime minister of New Zealand. Standing in line at a cafe in Cambridge, Mass., wearing a suit by the New Zealand designer Juliette Hogan, with sneakers and gold hoops, she flashes a disarming smile and says to call her 'just Jacinda.' As she orders a cappuccino the cashier wonders why she looks so familiar. Was she, by any chance, that person on TV? 'Toni Collette?' they ask, referring to an Australian actress. Ms. Ardern, without security detail, waves off the misidentification and doesn't set the record straight. The cafe is a 10-minute walk from Harvard University, where Ms. Ardern, who resigned as prime minister in 2023, now holds three fellowships. In the aftermath of her voluntary resignation, she married her longtime partner, Clarke Gayford, and temporarily moved her family to Massachusetts. The day before we met, students and faculty had gathered for their commencement and remnants of the ceremony are everywhere: tents, stacks of foldable chairs lying in yards and students milling around with cardboard boxes. The ceremony capped a school year in which the institution has been entangled in a legal standoff with the Trump administration over allegations of antisemitism, with federal funding and the visas of international students enrolled at the university in jeopardy. It is in that tense environment that Ms. Ardern, who during her time in power was frequently referred to as the 'anti-Trump,' is publishing her memoir, 'A Different Kind of Power.' The book, which was released on Tuesday, makes the case that leading with empathy and kindness might be the solution for a range of global crises — an argument that has also been the subject of one of her fellowships at Harvard Kennedy School. Whether such a book will resonate in a highly charged moment is an open question. Ms. Ardern said she has been relishing the relative anonymity of life in the United States. A step back has allowed her to spend more time with her six-year-old daughter who, she said, has a 'greater awareness now' of the fact that her mother was prime minister yet 'doesn't dwell on it.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Health
- Boston Globe
Unmarked graves, silenced voices: Commission report demands Mass. preserve memories of those who suffered at its troubled institutions
'My parents never had a proper service for him,' Scott said. Advertisement The MetFern Cemetery served the Metropolitan State Hospital and the Walter E. Fernald Developmental Center, with 310 burials from 1947 to 1979. Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff John Scott was one of thousands of people institutionalized in state-run facilities whose stories are in danger of being obscured because Massachusetts has failed to properly preserve their records, according to a Roughly 10,000 former institution residents are interred in nameless graves in poorly maintained burial grounds; most graves at the time were marked with a number, and sometimes the letters C or P, for Catholic or Protestant. At the Fernald cemetery, John Scott is among 298 people in unnamed graves, his brother said. Advertisement The state once operated two dozen schools, hospitals, and other residential facilities for people who were considered intellectually or mentally disabled according to 19th- and 20th-century medical standards. Many were notorious for squalid conditions; residents subjected to mistreatment, malnourishment, and abuse. Today, only about a half-dozen state-run facilities remain, most closed between the 1990s and 2010s following the disclosure of those horrific conditions amid a philosophical shift to treating people with disabilities in their community. Related : The report urged Massachusetts to better care for and preserve the neglected institutional burial grounds and provide proper identification for the people interred there. The state has records that link names to the numbers on grave markers. But that information isn't public, and a thicket of bureaucratic and legal obstacles often prevent family members from getting information about their relatives' grave: they must prove they are the deceased's legally designated next of kin, said Alex Green, vice chair of the commission that authored the report and a lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School on disability rights. Related : The commission also focused on abysmal record-keeping that makes it difficult for relatives and even former residents to obtain documents on the lives, treatment — and mistreatment — of state institution residents. Millions of pages are kept by the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Developmental Services, and the state archives. 'They may not be aware of everything that they have and how to get a hold of it,' Green said. 'It's just scattered everywhere.' Assorted patient and employee records were left in Waverly Hall, in the Fernald's original administration building. Bryan Parcival A member of the archives staff helped write the report, and William F. Galvin, who oversees the archives as Massachusetts' Secretary of the Commonwealth, said he supports making records easier to access while still respecting privacy concerns. Advertisement Other records have been found in decaying condition in abandoned state buildings; some of those were pilfered by trespassers, with a few even ending up for sale online. Today, most of the former institutions are either unused, decrepit, or simply gone. The Globe reported last year on Aerial image of the Fernald School property in Waltham. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff For its part, the commission recommended a museum, memorials, and education to preserve the experiences of institutions' residents. There are 27 burial grounds associated with the state institutions, but only a third of them are restored and maintained. Contributing to their decline, the commission found, was a lack of leadership and dedicated funding. The commission called for a perpetual care fund to support upkeep. The report was compiled over two years by a panel of 17 members, many of whom have some form of disability. Some, like Reggie Clark, 71, lived in state institutions. He is hopeful the report can spur action to make records easier to obtain. 'I think if you were me, you'd want to know why things happened,' said Clark, who lived at Fernald from early childhood to 1969. Reggie Clark was a patient at the Fernald School in the 60's. Lane Turner The Massachusetts institutions became notorious dumping grounds, not just for people with disabilities, but for some who were poor or abandoned. Abuse and neglect were commonplace. Clark recalled being put in a solitary room if he didn't make the beds of 24 patients every day. Advertisement Pat Vitkus's husband, Donald, was a resident of the Belchertown State School from the age of 6 to 18 after being left there by a foster family. When he died in 2018, at 75, his family honored his request to be interred alongside his 'brothers and sisters' at the school's cemetery. When he lived there, a low IQ score got him labeled a 'moron,' once a 'He fought his whole life to prove he was not a moron, which he never was,' his wife said. In the 1940s and 1950s, children at Fernald were subjected to an unethical Massachusetts Institute of Technology Quarters at the Fernald School in 1962, showing the narrow spaces between beds. Bob Dean/Globe Staff/File 1962 The children involved received a $1.85 million settlement from MIT and Quaker Oats. Fernald closed in 2014. Though President Bill Clinton experiments, Massachusetts' government has never formally apologized for conditions at the state institutions. The commission wants Governor Maura Healey to issue one. It also urged the state to take steps to recover records that should be archived but are not in its custody. Related : A spokesperson for the administration did not answer whether the governor would issue that apology, though issued a statement that acknowledged Massachusetts' legacy of institutionalization as 'tragic and deeply disturbing.' 'Over the past few years, we've redoubled our efforts to work with families, advocates, and others to improve access to records and honor the memories of those who resided at state institutions,' spokesperson Caroline Whitehouse said. Advertisement Two state agencies have worked to make an inventory of all records in their possession, Whitehouse added, including those in now vacant former institutions, and are working with families to make it easier to access records. Under consideration in the Legislature now is 'If we lose sight of these stories people are going to grope their way toward reinstitutionalization,' said state Senator Mike Barrett, a Lexington Democrat and sponsor of the legislation. Children at the Fernald School in 1964. Joseph Runci/Globe Staff Through records he's obtained so far, Scott discovered his brother, John, had a sense of humor and flirted with girls. Among the most shocking documents: a teacher's report that said John, then a teenager, had the capacity to hold down a job. She urged Fernald to discharge John, or 'he will lose his talents forever.' Father to a son with cerebral palsy, David Scott wants all the records detailing the lives of his brother and others at the state institutions made available, both to reveal who they were and to ensure people are never similarly warehoused again. 'I don't want to see history repeat itself,' Scott said. 'I want to see these children and adults with disabilities who can't care for themselves be treated better.' Jason Laughlin can be reached at
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Harvard dream' on hold amidst Trump-Harvard row; What happens to Princess Elisabeth's education now?
A future queen, caught in a campus crackdown! Belgium's future queen, Princess Elisabeth, is facing growing uncertainty in her educational aspirations after getting caught in the crossfire of President Donald Trump's escalating showdown with Harvard University. What's happening? Princess Elisabeth, the Duchess of Brabant and heir to the Belgian throne, is facing an unexpected challenge in her academic journey due to escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard University. Currently enrolled in a two-year master's program in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School, the 23-year-old royal has just completed her first year at the Ivy League school. However, recent federal actions threaten to disrupt her studies and raise questions about the future of international students at the institution. The Trump-Harvard dispute The conflict between the POTUS and the prestigious Harvard University began when President Donald Trump's administration accused Harvard University of fostering antisemitism, promoting 'woke' ideologies, and favoring minority admissions over white and Asian applicants. In retaliation, the administration announced a freeze on nearly $3 billion in federal research grants and threatened to revoke Harvard's eligibility to host international students. These measures have created an atmosphere of uncertainty for thousands of foreign students, including Princess Elisabeth. In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that the actions violated academic freedom and due process. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the ban on international students, providing a temporary reprieve. However, the legal battle is ongoing, and the outcome remains uncertain. Impact on Princess Elisabeth's education: As an international student, Princess Elisabeth has been directly affected by these developments. Elisabeth is enrolled at the Cambridge, Mass., university to study public policy in a two-year master's program, which aims to prepare students for a 'successful career in public service.' The Belgian Royal Palace has acknowledged the situation and is closely monitoring the legal proceedings. Lore Vandoorne, a spokesperson for the Belgian Royal House, said in a statement, 'Princess Elisabeth has just completed her first year. The impact of [the Trump administration's] decision will only become clearer in the coming days/weeks. We are currently investigating the situation.' The palace's communication director, Xavier Baert, added, 'We are analyzing this at the moment and will let things settle. A lot can still happen in the coming days and weeks.' However, no official statement has been made regarding her future plans in case she loses out on the chance to complete her education at Harvard University. What might happen now? Several scenarios could unfold depending on the resolution of the legal challenges: Restoration of international student status: If the court rules in favor of Harvard, international students, including Princess Elisabeth, would be permitted to continue their studies without interruption. Continued restrictions: Should the administration prevail, Harvard may be forced to comply with federal demands, potentially leading to the expulsion of international students or a reduction in their numbers. Alternative options: In the event of prolonged uncertainty, Princess Elisabeth may consider transferring to another institution or pursuing her studies through online platforms, though such options may not align with her academic and diplomatic goals. Who is Princess Elisabeth? Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant, is the heir apparent to the Belgian throne and the eldest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. Born in October 2001, in Anderlecht, Belgium, the 23-year-old is poised to become the first reigning queen of Belgium, as previous queens have only held the title of consort. Early education: Known as eloquent, compassionate, and unpretentious, Princess Elisabeth has pursued a diverse educational path from early on. She earned her International Baccalaureate from UWC Atlantic College in Wales in 2020. After that, she enrolled at the Royal Military Academy in Belgium, where she completed a year of training in social and military sciences, focusing on geopolitics, communication, international relations, and management. In 2021, Elisabeth began a three-year program in History and Politics at Lincoln College, University of Oxford, graduating in July 2024. Following her undergraduate studies, she commenced a two-year Master's in Public Policy at Harvard University's Kennedy School in the United States. Not only has Princess Elisabeth demonstrated a commitment to national service from a young age, but the young adult's multilingual abilities, too, speak for her dedication to academic excellence. Princess Elisabeth is fluent in Dutch, French, German, and English, which reflects her upbringing in a multilingual environment – something that is going to be one of her key strengths as she prepares for her future leadership role. Trump Targets Harvard, Putting Belgian Princess' Ivy League Dreams In Jeopardy | Royals Break Silence
LeMonde
3 days ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
The end of the American dream for Chinese students
Few academic records are as impressive as that of Duo Yi, age 24. After graduating with honors in international relations from Peking University – China's most prestigious university – she went on to earn a master's degree at Oxford in the United Kingdom, thanks to a scholarship for the most talented students. She wanted to go even further and applied for a doctorate at Harvard Kennedy School in the United States, regarded as the world's top institution for political science. "It was the program of my dreams. I was extremely happy when I found out I had been accepted," she told Le Monde. Duo Yi received her visa a few weeks ago, but she is no longer sure if it is still valid, and now wonders, given the open hostility of the American administration toward Chinese students, whether she would be able to study in the US in peace. Two recent developments complicated her plans. First, Donald Trump's campaign against admitting foreign students to Harvard, which, even though the American president was overruled by judges, left her fearing a highly uncertain environment. Then came the statements by Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, who, on Wednesday, May 28, declared that he wanted to "revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields."
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Princess Elisabeth returns to Belgium as Harvard future hangs in balance
The future of Princess Elisabeth at Harvard remains uncertain after US President Donald Trump announced a ban on international students at the university. The 23-year-old royal started her master's in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School in September 2024 after earning a degree in history and politics from the UK's Oxford University. With the future of international students in Harvard still in limbo, Princess Elisabeth has returned to Belgium. According to a report in the media outlet 'Het Laatste Nieuws', Elisabeth has completed her first academic year at Harvard and is now enjoying her summer vacation in Belgium. She was recently spotted accompanying her mother, Queen Mathilde, to the Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition at the Bozar in Brussels. But the summer is not going to be only about royal engagements for the future queen of Belgium. Het Laatste Nieuws also reported that Elisabeth has joined an internship related to international relations and human rights. She will therefore be working every day of the work week in Brussels. Her location and the name of her employers has not been revealed to avoid potential security issues. It is not mandatory for Harvard master's students to complete an internship at the end of their second year. However, like many other educational institutions, it does encourage students to do an internship to put 'their classroom training to work to deepen their understanding, apply new skills, and bring their knowledge to a new challenge, professional sector, policy area, or part of the world.' Born in 2001, Elisabeth is the eldest of the four children of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant, is the heir to the Belgian throne and will one day make history as Belgium's first ever Queen regnant. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in history and politics from UK's Oxford University, she secured admission to Harvard Kennedy School for a two-year master's degree in public policy. The administration of US President Donald Trump is waging a campaign against Harvard University, the country's oldest and richest school, across multiple fronts, including funding freezes, investigations and threats to the school's tax-exempt status, as per Reuters. The ban on international students at Harvard has left thousands of students facing an uncertain future. "Princess Elisabeth has just completed her first year. The impact of (the Trump administration's) decision will only become clearer in the coming days/weeks. We are currently investigating the situation," the Belgian Royal Palace's spokesperson Lore Vandoorne said, as quoted by Reuters, at the time the ban was announced last month. (Also read: A princess at Harvard: Belgium's future Queen is currently enjoying American student life)
