Pete Wright, BA (2004), MA, International Relations (2005)

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Posted on 01 July 2005

Pete Wright in Sudan I studied International Relations at Keele for 4 years, first for a BA and then immediately afterwards for an MA. I had greatly enjoyed my undergraduate course, and wanted to delve a little deeper into the subject, and to continue to play for the University hockey team. I considered remaining at Keele and Studying for a PhD, but by the end of my Masters course I was convinced I wanted to do practical work in international development.  After leaving university I had the by now almost obligatory 6 months in call centre whilst waiting for an opening with MAG (Mines Advisory Group) a landmine clearance charity based in my home city of Manchester. I had hoped for an Internship, but was fortunate to land a full time position. I had come across MAG during lectures on international law formation outside traditional state structures, the classic example being the Ottawa "landmine ban treaty". (The treaty is not an outright ban on all landmines but that is a matter for another day.)

I work in the Central Support Service department as a Support Services Manager, having previously been the Procurement and Logistics assistant, and then procurement officer. On a day to day basis I liaise with suppliers to provided MAG with the right quality goods at the right price, and then ensure the goods are shipped quickly to there destinations. This involves coping with a myriad of different regulations, from donors procurement rules and MAG's own procurement policy to UK government regulations on the export of military and dual use items. (Much of the equipment need for mine clearance is considered to be in the same category as the weapons themselves.) The job is far from desk bound admin, however, and has afforded me opportunities to travel to Southern Sudan and to Cambodia, to see the work of MAG in the field, to work on customs clearance of MAG equipment in to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, /and/ to partake in a fundraising community-based event in rural Cambodia. I greatly enjoy having the opportunity to see practical IR and play a role in clearing these weapons that continue to plague communities long after the end of violent conflict.

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