Hello. Could you please introduce yourself?

My name is Ranci Danis Veras, and I am from the Dominican Republic. I am 26 years old and completed my undergraduate studies in Economics in the Dominican Republic. Later, I obtained a master's degree in Big Data Analytics from Spain. Regarding my career in the public sector, I started as an analyst at the National Statistics Office and later worked as a supervisor. My most recent job was in the Plans, Programs, and Projects Management Division of the Price Stabilization Institute, an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture. In my free time, I enjoy playing pool and going to the movies.

How has been your experience at the KDIS? What do you like the most about our school? Why did you decide to study at the KDIS?

Without sounding cliche, I can say that my experience at KDI School has been astonishing so far. The diversity of the student population is one of my favourite features of KDIS. Being a member of such a diverse student body is preparing me for our increasingly globalized world, where I will meet individuals from various walks of life and diverse origins. This experience is enabling me to acquire the necessary skills to communicate effectively, work cooperatively, and appreciate diverse viewpoints. Long story short, I was hesitant about attending KDIS at first, but what matters most is that I took the chance, and now I am one of the school's biggest fans. As a KOICA scholar, I am pursuing a Master's in Development Policy (MDP) with concentrations in Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, as well as Data Science for Public Policy and Management.

Ranci, as far as I know, you are involved in many activities at school. Could you please share your experience about extracurricular activities that you have done? What was the most exciting experience so far? 

That's a difficult question indeed. Currently, I am a Teaching Assistant for R Fundamental for Public Policy, a Research Assistant, and a Representative of the Human Rights Club. I also occasionally teach Spanish to a Korean friend. To answer your question diplomatically, I would say that all of these extracurricular activities have contributed to my self-awareness and holistic development.

You also lead the Human Rights Club at the KDI School. What motivated you to join the HR club and also become a representative of this club? 

Since I was young, I have been committed to social justice and equality, and I have always been drawn to organizations and activities that promote these principles. I have volunteered for many organizations in the past, and that's why I was thrilled to discover that my school had a Human Rights Club. I chose to join the club and become its representative because I believe that everyone, regardless of their color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or origin, should be treated with decency and respect. I was motivated by the club's objective to advocate for underprivileged people and raise awareness about human rights concerns.

What activities have you done as a club and what are your plans for the Human Rights club?

In addition to our internal meetings, we invited an expert to share the results of the Human Rights Violation Survey 2022. This was an important step in raising awareness about the current state of human rights violations on our campus. The survey helped to identify areas where human rights abuses are occurring and highlighted the urgent need for action to address these issues.

The club has been using social media to share posts and raise awareness about basic human rights topics. We believe that social media has a wide reach and can quickly disseminate information to a large audience. Additionally, it can spark conversations and encourage others to get involved in the cause. For instance, we recently had a campaign for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

This week, we are watching a movie about human rights to learn about the struggles and triumphs of people fighting for their rights around the world. The film will be followed by a group discussion to encourage critical thinking and reflection. Additionally, I am currently coordinating a trip to visit the War and Women's Human Rights Museum with the Women's Forum. During the visit, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the problems that women face, such as sexual violence, being forced to move, and losing family members due to war. Following the museum visit, there will be a group discussion to explore how war affects women's human rights and what can be done to address these issues.

Leave your message for other students to encourage them to join the Human Rights Club. 

It's important to remember that just because something doesn't happen to you, it doesn't mean that it's not happening. Many people today are deprived of their fundamental rights. Therefore, it's crucial not to act as if nothing is happening. No matter how small our contribution may seem, it is better than doing nothing. We should all strive to make a positive impact and raise awareness about human rights issues.