We are proudly presenting our the next interviewee in our series: Damya Kecili.
As a dedicated intern at NKDB in 2023, Damya gained invaluable insights into North Korean human rights issues. In this second part of our interview series, she shares her profound experiences and offers advice for future NKDB interns.
[Full interview]
Please introduce yourself briefly.
My name is Damya. I graduated with a master's degree in International Relations and a dual bachelor's degree in History and English language and literature. My main areas of focus are international cooperation, human rights and climate justice. I first learnt about North Korean Human Rights in highschool through Barbara Demick's book Nothing to Envy, and I kept learning about it ever since. This is the reason why I began to learn Korean and was interested in doing an internship at NKDB.
What did your tasks look like when you worked at NKDB?
I had the opportunity to do a wide range of things, including social media, research (North Korean overseas workers, menstrual health in North Korea, etc.), transcription and translation work (Larchivium), participated in the 3rd UPR report on the DPRK, helped organize NKDB seminars and monthly briefings, and helped in the conception of the online programme "Introduction to North Korean human rights."
Are there any specific projects or initiatives you worked on during your internship that you found particularly meaningful or impactful? If so, could you share them with us?
The one that comes to mind first is the scholarship ceremony for North Korean escapee students that took place at the French Embassy. I had the chance to be the master of ceremony for the Korean part and I really felt valued as an intern.
Can you share with us what you've been up to since your internship with NKDB? How has your journey evolved professionally and personally?
Right after my internship, I started a traineeship at the Political, Press, and Information section of the European Delegation to the ROK. I work on different topics related to South Korea, but I still get to work on topics related to North Korea human rights.
Reflecting on your time with NKDB, what were some of the most valuable lessons or experiences you gained during your internship? How do you think you could apply these in your future endeavors?
A lesson I learnt while working with professionals from this field is the importance of resilience. People at NKDB have been advocating for North Korean human rights for over 20 years now, and yet it is still very difficult to see concrete results on the ground. I think it requires a lot of resilience to see that we are not doing this for nothing because this work is meaningful.
How do you believe your involvement with NKDB has influenced your understanding of North Korean human rights issues, and has it shaped your career aspirations or goals in any way?
I got to understand how diverse North Korean human rights are and how important the voices and testimonies of North Korean escapees are, as they are the only source of knowledge we have regarding the situation inside the country. I realized how scarce the resources are because the country is so closed off. The internship also confirmed that I would like to continue lying my focus on North Korean human rights in diverse work environments.
Looking back, what advice would you give to current or prospective interns interested in working with organizations focused on North Korean human rights or similar causes?
Do not be scared to ask questions to the professionals working there because they will be really happy to answer them. People working at NKDB are all dedicated professionals, and the internship is a good opportunity to enhance your knowledge with their help. Gaining knowledge from those experts is incredibly valuable. Lastly, do not be scared to make suggestions if you want to try something new or suggest a new project, everyone is very nice and welcoming.
Thank you for conducting this interview with NKDB! We wish you all the best for your future!
We are proudly presenting our the next interviewee in our series: Damya Kecili.
As a dedicated intern at NKDB in 2023, Damya gained invaluable insights into North Korean human rights issues. In this second part of our interview series, she shares her profound experiences and offers advice for future NKDB interns.
[Full interview]
Please introduce yourself briefly.
My name is Damya. I graduated with a master's degree in International Relations and a dual bachelor's degree in History and English language and literature. My main areas of focus are international cooperation, human rights and climate justice. I first learnt about North Korean Human Rights in highschool through Barbara Demick's book Nothing to Envy, and I kept learning about it ever since. This is the reason why I began to learn Korean and was interested in doing an internship at NKDB.
What did your tasks look like when you worked at NKDB?
I had the opportunity to do a wide range of things, including social media, research (North Korean overseas workers, menstrual health in North Korea, etc.), transcription and translation work (Larchivium), participated in the 3rd UPR report on the DPRK, helped organize NKDB seminars and monthly briefings, and helped in the conception of the online programme "Introduction to North Korean human rights."
Are there any specific projects or initiatives you worked on during your internship that you found particularly meaningful or impactful? If so, could you share them with us?
The one that comes to mind first is the scholarship ceremony for North Korean escapee students that took place at the French Embassy. I had the chance to be the master of ceremony for the Korean part and I really felt valued as an intern.
Can you share with us what you've been up to since your internship with NKDB? How has your journey evolved professionally and personally?
Right after my internship, I started a traineeship at the Political, Press, and Information section of the European Delegation to the ROK. I work on different topics related to South Korea, but I still get to work on topics related to North Korea human rights.
Reflecting on your time with NKDB, what were some of the most valuable lessons or experiences you gained during your internship? How do you think you could apply these in your future endeavors?
A lesson I learnt while working with professionals from this field is the importance of resilience. People at NKDB have been advocating for North Korean human rights for over 20 years now, and yet it is still very difficult to see concrete results on the ground. I think it requires a lot of resilience to see that we are not doing this for nothing because this work is meaningful.
How do you believe your involvement with NKDB has influenced your understanding of North Korean human rights issues, and has it shaped your career aspirations or goals in any way?
I got to understand how diverse North Korean human rights are and how important the voices and testimonies of North Korean escapees are, as they are the only source of knowledge we have regarding the situation inside the country. I realized how scarce the resources are because the country is so closed off. The internship also confirmed that I would like to continue lying my focus on North Korean human rights in diverse work environments.
Looking back, what advice would you give to current or prospective interns interested in working with organizations focused on North Korean human rights or similar causes?
Do not be scared to ask questions to the professionals working there because they will be really happy to answer them. People working at NKDB are all dedicated professionals, and the internship is a good opportunity to enhance your knowledge with their help. Gaining knowledge from those experts is incredibly valuable. Lastly, do not be scared to make suggestions if you want to try something new or suggest a new project, everyone is very nice and welcoming.
Thank you for conducting this interview with NKDB! We wish you all the best for your future!