Submitted by Rick Aguilar
on
MELC is excited to share that MELC major Remi Alidon has been selected for an undergraduate Bonderman Fellowship this year! Each year a select group of UW students are provided a rare opportunity to independently travel the world as Bonderman Fellows. David Bonderman, a UW alumnus, created the Bonderman Travel Fellowship in 1995, and it has funded life-changing global journeys for more than 330 students thus far.
Remi's journey will be an opportunity to explore the unique intersection of her passions for justice and Near Eastern civilizations. She plans to immerse herself in Eastern societies to better understand their cultures and specifically, their perspectives on justice and punishment. Remi will also engage with Indigenous communities whose traditions have significantly shaped restorative justice practices. Motivated by a commitment to finding alternatives to punitive systems and mass incarceration, she hopes to bring back culturally grounded insights to inform and enrich restorative justice efforts at home. Through this experience, Remi aims to enhance her cultural competency and understand other justice systems through the real lived experiences of individuals across diverse communities.