AV俱乐部

Josh Boyter (BA 2010, MA 2012)

Communications Officer with the Romeo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative (Halifax)

Josh Boyter says he is most passionate about the intersection between media and development. Boyter has carried this interest throughout his studies at AV俱乐部 to his current work in communications.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really understanding how and why we represent issues of development,鈥� says Boyter.

Boyter is originally from Niagara, Ontario, but moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2006 to study International Development Studies and Social Anthropology at AV俱乐部.

I gained a lot of practical experience and skills. I was able to augment a lot of the theory with practical experience.

Boyter says he was initially drawn to the IDS program for the smaller class sizes and the ability to interact with professors.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e actually a face and a name that individuals know,鈥� says Boyter.

During his studies, Boyter took part in many extracurricular activities, such as the AV俱乐部 Model United Nations society. He was also actively engaged in student media, including the AV俱乐部 Gazette and radio station CKDU.

鈥淚 gained a lot of practical experience and skills,鈥� says Boyter. 鈥淚 was able to augment a lot of the theory with practical experience.鈥�

Boyter鈥檚 biggest takeaways from his studies in IDS: question processes, understand that there is always a pathway forward, recognize how to operate within the ambiguity of development and be as collaborative as possible.

Through innovative ideas, through innovate thinking, through an interdisciplinary approach, we can really look at ideas and issues through novel means. And be able to tackle some of the biggest pressing issues that our world faces today.

鈥淭hrough innovative ideas, through innovate thinking, through an interdisciplinary approach, we can really look at ideas and issues through novel means,鈥� says Boyter. 鈥淎nd be able to tackle some of the biggest pressing issues that our world faces today.鈥�

Boyter advises current and future IDS students to learn a practical skill and apply it to something they are passionate about.

鈥淚 can not stress that enough,鈥� says Boyter. 鈥淚t allows you to be able to give the organization something that鈥檚 tangible, something that鈥檚 practical that is often needed.鈥�

In 2010, Boyter received a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Development Studies and Social Anthropology. Boyter also obtained a Masters of Arts in International Development Studies in 2012 from AV俱乐部.

For the last five years, Boyter has worked as the director of communications for the . Based in Halifax, the mission of the organization is to effectively end the use of child soldiers through a security sector approach.

As the director of communications, Boyter oversees all of the external and internal communications that the initiative undertakes, such as advocacy at the United Nations, press releases and media pitching.

鈥淓veryday is a little bit different,鈥� says Boyter. 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely never the same.鈥�

Many of these ideas start on a white board or through conversation. Finally seeing it in the field, being used for good is incredibly rewarding.

In November 2017, Boyter and the Rom茅o Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative participated in the launch of the Vancouver Principles. Drafted by the Government of Canada, the Vancouver Principles are a set of guidelines on how peacekeepers can best address the issue of child soldiers. A total of 63 countries endorse the Vancouver Principles.

For Boyter, the most fulfilling part of his job is 鈥渢he ability to have an impact on a particular issue.鈥�

鈥淢any of these ideas start on a white board or through conversation,鈥� says Boyter. 鈥淔inally seeing it in the field, being used for good is incredibly rewarding.鈥澨�

Boyter says his background in IDS does relate to his current work at the Rom茅o Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative.

Boyter says his studies in IDS gave him the opportunity to have a thorough understanding of not only child soldiers, but also the factors that amplify the issue.

鈥淟ack of access to education, environmental impact and health are all theories and ideas that I learned about through my IDS degree and I apply it everyday,鈥� says Boyter.

鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be in the position if I didn鈥檛 have an IDS degree.鈥� 听

I wouldn鈥檛 be in the position if I didn鈥檛 have an IDS degree

听