Louna Demashki is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto specializing in Economics and Political Science. Bearing witness to the volatile political and economic landscape of her hometown, Syria, she has dedicated her research and work to understanding and contributing to the field of development. Her assistance with economic research at UofT emphasized her conviction in the role of civil society in sustainable and long-term growth. Therefore, through her role as a Program Editor for the NAOC’s Centre for Disinformation Studies, she aims to understand the factors that shape Canadian civil society’s perception of local and global politics, while working to help make sure that these factors are clarified and contextualized for the public. As she believes building and sustaining community to be a pillar of local development (and simply collective wellbeing), she has adopted multiple roles across her campus, including being a Project Design Volunteer and a Housing Assistant. She hopes to utilize her experience to uphold the NAOC’s values and its vision of bridging the gap between Canadian civil society and Canada’s role in the global political landscape. Ultimately, Louna is working to help direct and inform local and global development policy, primarily extending her efforts back to the land that fueled her perspective and drive.
