Clare Rosenfeld, junior

From: Eugene, Oregon

Exploring: Chemistry and international affairs

Committing to a cause: I became a diabetes activist the day I was diagnosed, at age 7. Over the next decade, I launched the American Diabetes Association’s National Youth Advocates program, testified before Congress, and became active in the International Diabetes Federation. But it was a trip through El Salvador, Tanzania, and Bangladesh that really defined me as a person. People there were dying because they had no access to treatment. I was outraged. When I came to Lewis & Clark, I knew I had to focus my education toward solving these problems.

Honing the message: Lewis & Clark’s chemistry program is preparing me for my future in medical school, but my major in international affairs is having a more immediate impact. In my work with international organizations, virtually every member of the department has advised me. I’ve learned how to sharpen my analysis, gained perspective on world politics, and increased the sophistication of my arguments.

Raising the volume: Lewis & Clark students helped achieve an international victory for people with diabetes. I had been working with the International Diabetes Federation to propose a United Nations resolution recognizing diabetes as a global threat. As the campaign heated up, hundreds of students turned out to write to health policy leaders. On December 20, 2006, the resolution passed.

Redefining success: To stop the diabetes epidemic, we need to redefine success. The success of an economy should not be measured by gross domestic product, but by the well-being of its citizens. That’s the theme of my thesis. Next, I want to take that message to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. If I can get them to change their economic models, we could see some real change in the world.

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