Special Topics in International Studies (390-0-3)

Topic

Humanitarian and Development Practice in the Multi

Meeting Info

555 Clark 230: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

Humanitarian and Development Practice in the Multilateral context: Institutions, Challenges, and Risk Management

This course introduces the architecture of the United Nations humanitarian and development system and the role of NGOs and partners in responding to crisis, conflict, and poverty. Students examine how mandates, financing, and coordination shape assistance for children and communities, and how global commitments such as children's rights are translated into field practice. The course explores key operational and ethical challenges, including insecurity, access constraints, safeguarding risks, and health, nutrition, and education emergencies. Students also analyze growing threats to the current humanitarian and development system and learn practical approaches to managing risk in fragile and conflict affected settings.

Sheldon Yett will serve as the Roberta Buffett Visiting Professor of International Studies in Northwestern University's Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences in fall 2026. He will join Weinberg's Roberta Buffett International Studies Program to teach the course Humanitarian & Development Practice in the Multilateral Context: Institutions, Challenges, & Risk Management.

Yett currently serves as the UNICEF Representative to Sudan, a role he has held since August 2024. A national of the United States, he has worked for UNICEF since 1997 and has extensive experience in managing both development and humanitarian emergency programs in Burundi, Somalia, Kosovo, and UNICEF's emergency division in New York. Yett has served in multiple assignments as UNICEF Representative, including to Armenia (2005-2008), Macedonia (2008-2013), Liberia (2013-2016), the Pacific Islands Multi-Country Office (2016-2021), and Bangladesh (2021-2024). Before joining the UN, he worked as a journalist. Yett holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts from Reed College.

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre-registration -- Reserved for International Studies students.