Current Issue

We are pleased to present the eleventh annual issue of the Humphrey Public Affairs Review (HPAR). We are honored to present the work of the students of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs as they present the products of their hard work and dedication.

In this issue, you will find analyses of policy from the perspectives of the next generation of public servants. The op-eds, policy papers, comic strip, and interview with an elected official in this volume represent how each author approaches the challenges of the world as they see it. Through their individual efforts, a theme emerges: navigating crises together.

The authors in this issue challenge the threats to the public welfare by presenting policy as the collective action of a diverse society with a shared responsibility. Only through unity and action can the crises and challenges of today and tomorrow be overcome. These works represent only a small part of the boldness and vision that makes this next generation of public servants so valuable.

Among this year’s works are discussions of the built environment and the way it shapes our communities. These discussions explore how the use of public space shapes civic engagement, how transportation options impact educational opportunities, where policy is currently failing to meet housing needs in the face of climate migrations, or how the designation of arts and culture districts enrich both the economy and the lives of residents. This year’s authors also tackled the challenges of US policies by exploring the persistence of racial wealth gaps, the continued harm from flawed labor policies, or the failure to address immigration and the resulting humanitarian crises. Lastly, calling on the global reach of the Humphrey School, some students turned their sights to international issues such as the conflict between the US and China or the plight of Jakarta, Indonesia’s sinking capital city.