The graduating class for the Spring 2024 Executive MPA attended an international seminar, "Ethics in Public Administration" in Berlin, Germany, for a program under the auspices of the European Erasmus Project.
Students from Belgium, Germany, Portugal, and the United States studied this topic from the perspective of the four countries they represent, as a cooperative project inspired by how different governmental regimes address ethical challenges. Can countries considered to be developed democracies march to the beat of different ethics drums? That is ultimately the kind of question students gamely considered.
The students were divided into mixed groups from universities in each country and worked on sub-topics that the groups chose for themselves. Students had a rare, intensive opportunity to work closely with colleagues from other countries with common interests. Professors from the different universities gave classes and supervised the group projects, which will be completed online with virtual group presentations.
The students studied such topics as: money and politics, climate change, and ethics rules in government. At the end of the in-person session in Berlin, they were treated to a crash course from a former U.S. federal prosecutor on criminal enforcement of ethics standards at the federal level, as well as ethics issues raised by the four Trump indictments.
The participating Marxe students included: Julie Bolcer, Executive Director of Public Affairs and Special Advisor, NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner; Jamilia Diaz, Director of Career Pathways, John Jay Institute for Justice and Opportunity; Somia El-Rowmeim, Executive Director, Woman's Empowerment Coalition of NYC; Brandon Gimpelman, Legislative Aide, Town of North Hempstead; Gina Lacayo, Senior Caseworker, Westchester County; Elizabeth Lebeaux, Director of Development, Columbia/Barnard Hillel, The Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life; Shyola Lloyd-Priester, School Business Manager, NYC Department of Education; Nina LoSchiavo, Vice President, Chief of Staff, Lower East Side Partnership; Michelle Ragoo, Program Director, Commonpoint Queens.
The program is supported by the Erasmus Project and the Marxe Study Away fund.
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