Mikhail E.D. Byng

Faculty of Political Sciences, Belgrade University

Over the past couple of years, the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD) and its flagship publication, Horizons: Journal of International Relations and Sustainable Development, have developed a solid reputation as a forum for some of the most outstanding thinkers and policymakers in the world to share their views on the various issues affecting our world. 

I have been a reader of the publication since its earlier days, and was more than eager to capitalize on the opportunity of becoming part of its editorial team in the capacity of an editorial intern. As a fourth year student of International Relations at the University of Belgrade, I’ve always sought to not only be intensely focused on theoretical study and academic research, but to also cultivate the habit of applying attained knowledge in a practical manner. CIRSD provided me with such an opportunity.

Whether it ranged from in-office discussions about the politics of the day, to editing and fact-checking the articles of distinguished contributors from all over the world, it is without question that my time at CIRSD was fulfilling. Learning about the process of publishing a magazine, including the almost never-ending cycle of editing and re-editing texts, has been an eye-opening experience. It surely has increased my personal admiration for the editors and the CIRSD staff on a whole.

Another impressive attribute of CIRSD and Horizons has been the share range of topics covered by the publication. As someone originally from a small island off the coast of Venezuela known as Trinidad, it’s comforting to know that institutions such as CIRSD view the problems which we face in Latin America and the Caribbean as relevant. 

Interning at CIRSD in my final year at university ensured that my time in Serbia came full-circle. My decision to come to Serbia as a foreign student in October 2011 was prompted by the initiation of the ‘World in Serbia Project’, created with the intention of recruiting foreign students to attend the University of Belgrade. The program was conceived under then Minister for Foreign Affairs and current President and founder of CIRSD, Mr. Vuk Jeremić. 

Overall, I have surely enjoyed the time spent at CIRSD. The staff was always remarkably friendly, and the experience of functioning in a working environment such as this will surely prove invaluable in the future. 

Mikhail E.D. Byng