I am thrilled to reflect on my three-month internship at Somali Public Agenda. It was a transformative experience that has significantly shaped my personal and professional growth. Here is how it all began and the story of my journey.

Following the Somali Public Agenda on social media drew my attention to their impactful work, including mentoring young graduate students and bridging the gap between policymakers and the public through forums. I began looking into how I could join these really competitive institutions. I finally got the chance to apply for their internship openings. Sitting for both written and oral tests was a drawn-out process. Fortunately, I was the second person chosen after the exams, and at that moment, I felt like an Arab who had seen rain in the desert. After waiting three months to begin my internship, I finally arrived at the SPA office on October 1^st, 2024. I was greeted by Ibrahim Osman, the SPA Centre for Learning and Development coordinator, and Idil Omar, the head of HR and administration department. Idil gave me a tour of the SPA departments and briefed me on my roles and responsibilities.

Within the first week of my internship, I had the opportunity to join the research training course that had kicked off in late September, with the executive director of SPA suggesting I join this course so that I could enhance my skills regarding research methodology, which was one of my favorite career goals. The research training course paved the way for my enthusiasm for real-world research. I had the chance to learn from different mentors throughout the research training course, including Dr. Mahamud Garre, Mahad Wasuge, Farhan Isak, and Abdishakur Awil. It was the first time I had seen a course with this structure where every mentor delivered their area of specialization in research.

My internship at SPA allowed me to gain a significant experience that I lacked before I joined the SPA  internship. Having worked in the operations department has also enhanced my knowledge and skills regarding finance, procurement, and human resources. At each SPA meeting, I was responsible for writing meeting minutes. This has enhanced my writing ability, and I gained vital minutes-taking skills.

Forums were also another main area. I gained significant experience working closely with the Public Agenda Forum Manager Mohamed Adam. Working on SPA forums allowed me to learn more about organizing different kinds of forums SPA convenes, including the monthly Gaxwo iyo Gorfeyn meetups, dissemination forums, and off-the-record discussions. This later one was exciting as it brought together policymakers and intellectuals. Additionally, despite playing the role of forum assistant, I also played the role of writing summary reports of the forums.

The SPA library has also been another opportunity that allowed me to access a collection of books, research reports, and magazines. During my time at SPA, I had the chance to read several SPA-published research reports. As someone who is interested in local governance, I had the opportunity to read the SPA research report about local council formation and operations of three Federal Member States.

During my internship at SPA, I had the opportunity to establish a strong network of a diverse range of people working in different sectors. The internship programs changed my way of interacting with people. Before this internship, I was an introvert who did not like socializing with people; however, this changed once I joined SPA. I also participated in and represented SPA at conferences organized by the federal government of Somalia.

Working closely with a research project on Benadir Regional Adminstration taxation enhanced my knowledge and skills in conducting research projects. This study allowed me to contribute during the data collection phase by assisting the research team. My role included serving as a note-taker during focus group discussions and transcribing the FGDs. This experience provided me with interactive experience in conducting real-world research projects.

Having access to numerous online courses has paved the way for both academic and personal growth. I have completed impactful courses such as Research Methodology, Sustainable Finance for Climate Change, Data Analysis Course, Qualitative Data Management and Analysis for Monitoring and Evaluation, Leadership and Report Writing Course. Working alongside my fellow researchers helped me embark on the path of real-world research. I am currently working on a commentary examining the role of persons with disabilities in the upcoming elections,  focusing on promoting and implementing the 5% quota for persons with disabilities. This quota is part of the Disability Act passed by both houses of the Somalia Parliament, awaiting only the president’s signature to become a binding law.

Before my internship at SPA, I admired the role of researchers and aspired to become one myself. Joining SPA has significantly enhanced and equipped me with the knowledge needed in the field of research. I have had the opportunity to witness SPA researchers conducting and working on various research projects. What captured my attention the most was that SPA’s researchers are relatively young, energetic, and committed to contributing to Somalia’s good governance and establishing a rule-based nation.

One of the most interesting initiatives I encountered at SPA was the book presentation program, where one of the SPA team members presented a book to the rest of the team. This initiative contributes to the team gaining knowledge across various topics. Each month, a book presentation is hosted at the SPA library space. I plan to attend each month’s SPA book presentation and, if possible, present a book in 2025.

Aside from work-related activities, SPA organizes friendly football matches for the SPA team and students enrolled in SPA courses. I was delighted to represent SPA in a friendly game against the research training cohort 2 trainees, which ended in a 4-4 draw.

My time at SPA was filled with joy, and I will cherish them forever. Somali Public Agenda has been a transformative place for me, and I’m highly appreciative of the research and public participation initiatives carried out since SPA was established on January 10th, 2018. I hope our paths will cross again in the future. As I conclude my three-month internship at Somali Public Agenda, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the leadership of SPA for their warm hospitality and unwavering support for the past three months. I also thank the SPA team for their support and guidance.

Abdullahi Yusuf