A postgraduate in International Law who first heard of DEN as an undergraduate in 2018, on returning to Westminster, the Tashkent Model UN, and the co-authored chapter that grew out of a friendship
Ariadna Rita Lemos De Oliveira, LLM International Law, University of Westminster, United Kingdom
Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network.
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How did you first come into contact with DEN?
I first heard about DEN in 2018, as an undergraduate student in Politics and International Relations at Westminster. Farhang Morady, my module leader for Learning in an International Environment, used to talk about DEN as a space where students were contributors to knowledge. At the time, the project was growing, and although I wished to be part of it, I was unable to join.
When I came back to Westminster years later for my LLM in International Law, joining DEN was obvious. I wanted to be part of something bigger than seminars and coursework. A member of a community that would challenge me, and push me to grow, in ways that my degree alone would not.
Which DEN activities have you taken part in?
I went to my first Model UN in Tashkent, and participated in the 9th International Student Conference. I also published an article in the 9th DEN book, Educating for Peace, Sustainable Development and Civilian Protection, and, with Arika, another DEN member, co-authored a second chapter, Governing Youth through Algorithm: Inequality and the Politics of AI in London.
Was there a moment at DEN that has stayed with you?
Every DEN experience leaves a mark. What makes it special is the regular contributions, debates and exchanges with students from completely different courses and years of study, which bring a wider range of knowledge and perspectives into the room. It is a rare opportunity to build relationships with people we would otherwise never cross paths with, to discover unexpected affinities, and to grow together.
What aspects of DEN have had the biggest impact on you?
Getting my article published was a real milestone. It gave me the confidence to see my ideas as belonging to a wider conversation, not just as another assignment to be graded. It also opened doors: presenting at the International Student Conference, and contributing to a published book alongside students from across the world.
I realised that research and writing in my field of study can always connect with other disciplines. Rather than answering a question for coursework, I get to shape my work on my own terms.
How has DEN helped you develop personally?
It helped me enhance my writing skills and gave me a lot more confidence in sharing my ideas with a broader audience.
Has DEN helped you with employability or professional development?
Yes. I have added several skills gained or improved at DEN to my CV. It can range from written and oral communication, public speaking and presentations, through to leadership and project coordination. Whatever the career you aspire to, DEN can help you develop the skills that employers look for.
What is one thing DEN has given you that you would have struggled to find elsewhere?
It has given me real, practical experience directly relevant to my field of study, surrounded by encouraging peers and an inspiring leader.
What advice would you give to students thinking of joining?
DEN opens doors you will not find anywhere else. You gain skills that are relevant both professionally and personally, in a friendly, diverse, and genuinely safe environment. You will make friends and memories along the way that will stick with you.
What would you say to a colleague at another university?
The University of Westminster is great, but DEN makes it better. You get to contribute to a wide range of activities, develop workshops with your peers, lead incredible projects, and build skills that matter well beyond your degree. You also make improbable friendships and live experiences you would never have otherwise.
Should DEN do anything differently in the next decade?
Make DEN more visible, and bring alumni back to the weekly meetings more often. Hearing directly from people about what DEN gave them, and what they have achieved since, would show current students just how much DEN is worth.
Anything else you would like us to know?
Thank you, DEN, for giving us the opportunity to believe in ourselves and to achieve great things.
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Photo caption: “Joining DEN was obvious.”
