>Mustapha Kharbouch
https://web.archive.org/web/20251216151057/https://chrhs.watson.brown.edu/news/2025-10-14/spotlight-kharbouch
Student Spotlight: Mustapha Kharbouch ‘27
“As a Palestinian refugee who grew up witnessing the UN as a lifeline for my community, contributing directly to this work was a deeply meaningful milestone in my professional journey."
A highlight of Mustapha’s summer at the International Crisis Group came during preparations for the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week. As part of the UN Advocacy and Research Team, they helped lay the groundwork for ICG’s engagement in the High-Level week in New York—an experience that offered firsthand insight into the inner workings of international diplomacy. Even after the internship officially ended, Mustapha was invited back to attend several key meetings and connect with ICG’s president, reflecting the trust and mentorship they built during their time with the organization.
As a Palestinian refugee raised in Lebanon, Mustapha brought a deeply personal understanding of the humanitarian system to their work. Their background gave them both empathy and a critical eye for how international institutions like the UN operate—how they can transform lives, but also where they fall short. During a summer marked by overlapping global crises, Mustapha observed the UN grappling with mounting demands and limited resources due to funding cuts, yet also witnessed the persistence of individuals committed to doing good work in difficult times.
With a tea cup
and I carry hot sauce with me