Policy Initiative

After finishing the various research tasks that my boss, James, had assigned me at work, my job reached a cool down period last week where I had not much to do.  This period was interrupted by our DukeEngage trip to the Badia, and I had prayed that when we returned I would have more productive tasks.

Well my prayer has been answered! When I returned from the Badia, James told me that I was start working on a policy guideline for the National Biodiversity Council for the monarchy.  I was literally giddy with excitement at this opportunity, for a number of reasons.

1. I am passionate about environmental work and believe that it is one of the most important fields for the future of mankind.  For me, there is no question that unless we reverse the impacts of global warming and make changes to improve the ecosystem, there will be catastrophic impacts in human health, animal health, and the biosphere.  And I also truly believe that if we work hard at it, we can improve the situation.

2.  Part of my work is to draft a policy to negotiate intellectual property for genetic engineering of plants (one of my favorite topics ever by the way), which is very intellectually stimulating.  In fact patents are my preferred future line of work, so it could not be more perfect.  But what makes it rewarding for me is that fact that many of these plants exist within Bedouin villages and tribe areas, who have been possibly harvesting the plants for medicinal or other purposes for decades in their own way.  The goal is to allow harvesting of the plants by the Jordanian government and other governments, but to do so in a way that respects the techniques of the locals and engages them in the process.  

3. The draft policy and proposal that I create will be presented in front of a standing committee of Jordanian politicians and inform the workings of the crown.  This is why I love policy work - it has very real implications that impact the government, even if it is seven years down the line.

Essentially, if you haven't already gathered from my excitement above, the crux of my work is research and looking into global Biodiversity legislation that was promoted by the United Nations.  They released the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) which has branched out into many sub-initiatives to cover all facets of plant work.  I am doing work on the Nagoya Protocol which is focused on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), essentially contractual agreements on plant property and patents for local communities.  Very yummy work for me because it's a marriage of environmentalist, policy, and patent law.

I am also blessed to be working with people who are so interested and passionate about the environment.  James had a fascinating path towards coming to the RBG.  He was working in business and on track to becoming an investment banker when he realized that he wasn't passionate about it.  He quit school against his parents' wishes and worked on a fishing boat for a year in Vermont.  Then, to sustain himself, he took up gardening and farming and realized his passion for environmental work, quitting this job and going back to school to study horticulture.  

Habiba is a dear Canadian lady who is reminiscent of the vegan environmentalists who frequent one of my favorite stores, Whole Foods.  She goes to a local organic market every week and buys exotic herbs, sharing them with me when she goes on a weekday.  Passionate and spiritual, she embodies that in her holistic view of both the Middle East and environmental work.

Tomorrow I was told that we would have two new members joining us: a high school intern and a volunteer from America.  I am told that I will be managing the intern, which makes me feel powerful already.  But really it will be nice to share the mission of the RBG with others.