About the Project
The article was written by four graduate students at New York University – Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. This 2020-2021 NYU Wagner Capstone Team was comprised of: Kha Dang (MPA), Kylie McDowell (MUP), Alyx Ruzevich (MPA) and Jacquelyn Spade (MUP). The capstone program provides an opportunity for an organization to partner with a group of NYU Wagner graduate students to conduct research on a pressing social question, and is in place of an individual thesis report.
Following the recent expansion into Southeast Asia, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) requested that the NYU Wagner Capstone team analyse civil society’s role in disrupting the illegal trade of endangered animals and environmental products in Vietnam and Indonesia. The team conducted research as well as interviews with stakeholders from both Vietnam and Indonesia who represent civil society organisations, academia and law enforcement officials who are actively working to address the issues of IWT. Following the interviews, the capstone team provided GI-TOC with several recommendations that can be used to support civil society actors as they engage with local and national policy makers and law enforcement officials.
The Team
Alyx Ruzevich
Alyx is Master of Public Administration candidate specializing in International Policy. For her next endeavor, she is joining the 11th Class of Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows in Chimoio, Mozambique and Washington, D.C.
Jacquelyn Spade
Jacquelyn has has a background in renewable energy in both the public and private sectors. As well as a background in non-profit monitoring and evaluations and data analysis. She has recently completed her master’s degree in Urban Planning with a concentration in International Development Planning from NYU Wagner and will be pursing a career focused on sustainable development.
Kha Dang
Kha is a Detective with the New York City Police Department with over 16 years of experience. He investigates violent crimes and is a member of the NYPD’s Asian Hate Crime Task Force. In addition to being a Detective for the NYPD Kha has also completed his master’s degree in Public Administration at NYU Wagner.
Kylie McDowell
Kylie completed her undergraduate studies at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering where she researched sustainability in urban places while studying abroad in Shanghai, China. After completing her undergraduate degree, she went on to complete her master’s degree in Urban Planning at NYU Wagner.
