Joshua Angelo Estrada Bata (Philippines – GLODEP Cohort 2019–2021)
The GLODEP Program was influential in building a solid foundation for the theory and practice of my craft. I am currently in the field of arms control and disarmament at the United Nations Institute of Disarmament Research where we generate insights to influence regulatory regimes and policy on conventional weapons at the global, regional, national and local levels to help prevent both armed conflict and armed violence and contribute to peace and security of societies. Policy-relevant research is not simply good at collecting data to build insights to support sound recommendations. It is also about understanding the capabilities and needs of your key stakeholders and being able to clearly communicate with them about your research. GLODEP was key for my research training – the theory. Yet, understanding why and how development is delivered for its target “beneficiaries” provided me with an in-depth knowledge on the critical and at times, sensitive role of “experts” – the practice.
Through our socialization with civil societies and policy experts, such as People in Need, GLODEP was an enabler to open paths, including our imagination on what we could do with our degree. The multicultural cohorts from diverse parts of the world prepared me to work in an international environment where sensitivity, flexibility, and empathy are needed.
I had my eyes on the peace and security field, and I remember during my interview for the selection process of my cohort, I was asked why not pursue a master’s degree in peace studies. I could not recollect my exact response, but I remember arguing that peace and development go together: to understand development is to understand why societies are mired in conflict. It was quite simplistic and reductive in thought, but it made sense after graduating from GLODEP.
Another key moment that made me want to pursue an international career with the UN related to peace and security was when I did my master’s thesis on patronage politics in South Sudan, which has been mired in civil war for years. It was a huge undertaking as we did not specifically study wars, but we had seminars on conflict analysis. South Sudan’s context was also new to me, although we studied about Africa’s development. I also decided on a methodology that was quite advanced and something that we did not discuss in class – but I know ontology and epistemology. Simply put, the road to finishing my thesis was not a walk in the park. Yet, with the trust and guidance of my supervisor, Dr. Lenka Dušková, I was able to finish and successfully defend my thesis. Reflecting upon this exercise, I realized that with enough confidence in yourself and the willingness to work hard, including choosing the right environment – in this case, right supervisor – the paths to impactful work are plenty.
Our methodology classes taught us that we cannot establish causality between two variables, in this case two events – just because one happens after the other. A post hoc ergo propert hoc or post hoc fallacy. My graduation diploma from the GLODEP Program did not land me a job at the UN. This is true. Yet, what I am confident about is that GLODEP prepared me and paved the way for me to take on work that is consequential.