ABOUT
ABOUT US
What is "RAIA NOW"?
- The stories and worries of political leaders
- The ‘behind the scenes’ of decision-makers
- How politics impacts and changes your life, wherever you are.
OUR MISSION
RAIA aims to provide real life working opportunities to students and young professionals in the field of international relations.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to translate the abstract world of international affairs by simplifying rather than generalizing, visualizing rather than beclouding, and deepening understanding of individual decision makers’ motives rather than polarizing their differences.
OUR VILLAIN ORIGIN STORY
RAIA NOW gUG was founded on October 1, 2018, by Professor Balder Hageraats and 15 students. The organisation was born out of a shared vision: to provide students and young professionals with real-life experiences in international relations before entering competitive careers in the field. At the same time, RAIA sought to modernize the analysis of international affairs by shifting the focus from states and organizations to the individual decision-makers driving global events.
Today we are a mix of young professionals and students who grew tired of constantly reading and hearing the same news: “The U.S. did this.” “The EU said that.” “China is going everywhere.” We had become exhausted trying to find unique analysis and insights into all this overgeneralised noise. Therefore, we turned our exhaustion into innovation and set out to create an alternative to the usual news media and political analysis available today.
And, after months of questioning, researching, brainstorming, editing, deleting, observing, adapting and polishing, RAIA NOW was born. The RAIA platform you see and utilise today aims to simplify, rather than generalize, the key events, decisions, deals and conflicts. This is of utmost importance in the ever-changing world of international relations.
However, how does one simplify the grand, globalized, geopolitical world of policymaking? Easy, go to the source. From our studies and experiences, we have discovered there is more behind foreign policy than the final decision or action taken by a nation–there is an individual. A human being, like you and me, who is influenced by their friends, family, education, nationality, career, diet and yes, even occasionally, their dogs. Simply put an ordinary person placed in an extraordinary position of policymaking.
So here we are, seeking the source of the decision. Analysing the individual and the spheres of influence surrounding them to better understand why they made a decision. Why has Xi agreed to the latest trade deal with Trump? Why is Khamenei at odds with European leaders? What policies is Georgieva heating up at the IMF? Why is Putin frenemies with Erdogan? You, as an individual, will have to decide to keep reading and find out.
The Founding RAIA team.
Every year young and motivated students and young professionals work at RAIA for a first experience in international relations.
Over the years many bright individuals have worked at RAIA and gained valuable experience in international relations. We cherish their continued support greatly.
MEET THE TEAM
Joshua Dario Hasenstab
General Coordination
Director & Co-Founder
Stefani Obradovic
Communications
Communications Coordinator
Roxane de Bergevin
Research & Analysis
Editor in Chief
Claudia Austin Dorado
Internal
Internal Coordinator
Kseniia Trifonova
Project Development
Project Development Coordinator
Réka Baranyai
Research & Analysis
Deputy Editor-In-Chief
Ksenia Kumanina
Research & Analysis
Editor
Ruby Hawari
Research & Analysis
Editor
Imane Haddoun
General Coordinaton
Legal Advisor
David Salinger
General Coordinator
Advisor
Balder Hageraats
Advisor
Co-Founder and Initiator
OUR HISTORY
RAIA as an idea was born in the year of 2018 and started on October 1st 2018.
Founding and Early Years (2018-2019)
In its first year, RAIA focused on establishing its foundation. The team dedicated themselves to developing a unique methodology for analyzing individual leaders, creating a functional website, and structuring the organization. They built teams, trained members, drafted RAIA’s mission and vision, and designed a sustainable business model. These efforts laid the groundwork for what RAIA would become.
Expansion and Internships (2020-2021)
The year 2020 marked two major milestones for RAIA. First, the organization launched its website and began publishing articles within various categories designed to offer fresh perspectives on international relations. Second, the COVID-19 pandemic inspired RAIA to provide online internships for students whose placements had been canceled due to the global crisis. This initiative, which began as a response to the pandemic, evolved into a successful program that continues to offer internships three times a year. Students and young professionals from around the world now participate in RAIA’s internship opportunities.
Growing up as an Organisation (2022-2025)
As more and more RAIA members and coordinators graduated and moved on from university into the professional world, it became ever more important to improve processes at RAIA for optimal use of young professionals’ time. The knowledge of young professionals who have been at RAIA during university level and stayed at RAIA as they are entering the job market is invaluable. RAIA has become an organisation where young professionals pass on their aquired skills and experience to students and other young professionals through peer learning.
This is supported through our vast alumni network with 200+ young professionals working for governments, NGOs, international organisations all over the world.