Armenia, with its deep history and rapidly evolving governance structures, became a hands-on classroom for 12 O’Neill School master’s students representing six countries. Through the Armenia Global Capstone, they explored public sector reform, sustainable development, and participatory policymaking, applying their academic training to real-world challenges.
During the trip, students collaborated with the UNDP Armenia SDG Innovation Lab, in the framework of the project “Democratic Institutions and Participatory Policies in Armenia” financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. They met with UN officials, OGP Coordinator and Participatory Governance focal point from the Prime Minister’s Office, which is the key national stakeholder of the project, two parliamentarians, and young policymakers (ages 13-29) while also immersing themselves in Armenia’s rich cultural and historical landscape.
This experience provided a unique opportunity to contribute to policy evaluation, governance innovation, and development projects, working directly with key stakeholders shaping Armenia’s future. By engaging with the UNDP Armenia SDG Innovation Lab and the Armenian government, students gained firsthand insight into the complexities of policy, implementation, and global development initiatives. Through meetings with government officials, youth leaders, and policy experts, students didn’t just study policy—they saw it in motion, experiencing the challenges and impact of turning ideas into action.
This collaboration was made possible by UNDP Armenia SDG Innovation Lab and O’Neill MIA’23 alum Syuzanna Martirosyan, now a project analyst in behavior change at UNDP Armenia SDG Innovation Lab, who played a key role in bringing the initiative to life, under the guidance of Nayiri Shorjian who coordinates Innovative and Participatory Policymaking projects at UNDP Armenia SDG Innovation Lab.
“When I first conceived this idea and pitched it to our lab lead and professor Jennifer Brass, it felt almost unbelievable and aspirational—its realization seemed uncertain. Yet, in retrospect, witnessing it come to fruition has been one of the defining highlights of my time at the UNDP’s SDG Innovation Lab,” Martirosyan said.
For Brass, the Armenia Global Capstone program director, the trip was a reminder that capstone work extends far beyond the classroom.
“The purpose of the travel to Armenia was to allow students to understand that a capstone truly is more than an in-class project. Our students are so used to doing group projects and applied exercises that it can be easy to forget that the work they do in the Global Capstone actually matters for the client, and potentially an entire country,” Brass said.
Throughout the trip, students navigated political and bureaucratic landscapes, collaborated across cultures, and contributed to conversations shaping Armenia’s future. The experience immersed them in the complexities of international governance, challenging them to think critically, adapt to evolving circumstances, and engage meaningfully with the processes that shape policy and development.
“The trip was very important because it deepened my understanding by highlighting the importance of cross-collaboration in the public sector. It also demonstrated the challenges public sector workers face across the world,” said Brenda Awulley, MPA’25.
From the start, students were immersed in the policymaking process as observers and contributors to policy evaluation. Meeting with members of Armenia’s Youth Parliament, they watched as young leaders actively collaborated with lawmakers, driving conversations on the country’s future and advocating for policy change.
“We got to sit in the room with the Youth Parliament, who were also then talking to members of parliament, sharing ideas, and debating policy. It was fascinating to see young people so engaged in shaping the future of their country,” said Oluwanifemi Adekoya, MPA-MIA’26.
Navigating the fast-paced and sometimes unpredictable nature of international policymaking was a central part of the experience. Students quickly learned that even the most well-planned projects required adaptation.
“From the beginning, it felt like we were starting on a solid foundation, and then every other week, something new would be thrown at us. This experience taught us the importance of adaptability in the policy world,” Adekoya said.
For many, this was their first experience conducting policy evaluation in a real-world setting. One of the major components of the trip was collaborating with UNDP Armenia’s SDG Innovation Lab, where students gained hands-on experience in public sector reform.
“We developed monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans for Armenia’s SDG Innovation Lab. This was an opportunity to apply principles from our core public policy courses to real-world program evaluation,” said Sophia Paulson, MPA’25.
Beyond professional work, students gained a deeper understanding of how policymaking and implementation differ across cultural and governmental contexts. Being immersed in a different system provided valuable insight into the complexity of governance.
“Participating in the capstone project has really helped me prepare for my future career challenges because it bridged the learning and the practical aspects of it. It showed me that in the real world, things do not always follow the structured steps we learn in class. Sometimes, you go back and forth between different stages of a process, and you have to adapt quickly. This experience taught me how to manage expectations, timelines, and cross-cultural communication in a real policy environment,” said Gloria Majiga, MPA’25.
The trip also reinforced how international collaboration plays a role in shaping effective policies. Working with Armenian policymakers, UN officials, and development experts underscored the importance of diplomacy and innovation in governance.
“The Armenia Capstone was pivotal. Working with the UNDP Armenia SDG Innovation Lab, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Open Government Partnership allowed us to apply classroom theory to real challenges. Collaborating with peers and their team highlighted the importance of cross-cultural approaches to development and fostering partnerships to further their sustainable development goals. Professor Brass’s expertise—rooted in her work across Africa and multilateral organizations—was instrumental. This experience underscored the power of innovation and collaboration in shaping communities,” said Victor Akangbe, MPA’24.
There were also lessons in how political structures influence policy implementation. Seeing the differences between Armenian governance and systems in their home countries gave students a broader perspective on global policy challenges.
“My biggest takeaway was how policymaking must be flexible. Seeing firsthand how bureaucratic structures and politics intersect gave me a whole new perspective on development,” said Siti Miranda Polhaupessy, MPA’25.
For some, the significance of the experience didn’t fully sink in until they were in the room with top government and UN officials, engaging in high-level policy discussions.
“I didn’t really understand the importance or weight that this project carried until I was actually on the ground in Armenia. We had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the UN office there, as well as members of parliament and the Prime Minister’s Office. Connecting on a diplomatic level with another national government was completely unique and unlike anything I had experienced before at O’Neill,” said Sofia Paulson, MPA’25.
Stepping into a new cultural and political landscape, students experienced firsthand what it takes to translate policy theory into action. Every challenge—whether navigating government structures, collaborating across cultures, or adapting to shifting priorities—became a lesson in real-world governance. The opportunity to work alongside international policymakers, development organizations, and local leaders not only deepened their understanding of global policy challenges but also reinforced the impact they can have in shaping solutions.
Global opportunities available to O’Neill students
The Armenia Global Capstone exemplifies the immersive, real-world experiences that make the program so valuable. It provides students with:
- Exposure to international policymaking and development challenges
- Hands-on experience in data collection, analysis, and policy evaluation
- Opportunities to engage with high-level government officials and international organizations
- Real-time problem-solving skills in a dynamic, cross-cultural environment
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