Karen Stiller
Karen Stiller (BA IDS 1990)
Journalist (Ottawa)
Karen Stiller says she has always been a justice-oriented person interested in issues of inequality and the world around her.
In 1987, Stiller spent seven āintenseā months with , an exchange program for teenagers to understand international development issues.
With Canada World Youth, Stiller travelled to SutamarchƔn, Colombia. During her three and a half month stay, Stiller lived with a family in a rural community, participated in their daily lives and learned about development through seminars.
āIt helped me and challenged me,ā says Stiller. āThatās what got me really interested in IDS.āĢż
Later that year, Stiller started her studies in International Development at pilipiliĀž».
āMy experience at pilipiliĀž» was good,ā says Stiller.
Interested in Latin America and liberation theology after her time in Colombia, Stiller says the International Development program allowed her to explore different topics through papers and classes.
āI appreciated all that freedom,ā says Stiller.
During her time at pilipiliĀž», Stiller also met her husband, Brent. In 1988, the two met in Professor John Kirk's āLatin American Dictators in the Novelā class. They married in 1990; the same year Stiller graduated from Dalhousie.
āThat was part of my experience of the IDS degree too,ā says Stiller. āMeeting the person I was going to spend the rest of my life with.ā
After graduating from Dalhousie, Stiller transitioned her focus to writing.
āWriting had always been of interest to me,ā says Stiller.
In addition to her bachelorās degree in International Development Studies from Dalhousie, Stiller also received a communications certificate from in 2000. In 2018, Stiller will graduate with a from the University of Kingās College.
Itās been a gracious gift that Iāve been able to write about things I care about.ĢżIt matters to me that the writing I do matters
Stiller is currently a freelance editor and writer. She has also done communications work for non-profits and charities, such asĢż.
Starting in 2000, Stiller has been hired by Ģż on several occasions. Her writings include: a conversation guide toĢż Ģż with Doug Blackburn, a column for Childview Magazine and communication pieces.
For the last 15 years, Stiller has written for the Christian magazine . Currently a senior editor, Stiller has travelled to Cambodia, Senegal, South Sudan and Uganda to educate Canadian readers on topics surrounding water projects, poverty issues and refugees.
In 2013, Stiller won the A.C. Forrest Memorial Award for her story on South Sudan called .ā Presented by the , the award recognizes socially conscious and religious journalism.
I am working with my degree. That degree shaped my thinking.
Stiller worked withĢż, which provides protection, education opportunities and advocacy for people with albinism in Tanzania. Stillerās work with the charity includes newsletter and promotional writing and communications with donors.
āItās been a gracious gift that Iāve been able to write about things I care about,ā says Stiller. āIt matters to me that the writing I do matters.ā
While Stiller says she made ādifferent choicesā after she graduated, she realized she was utilizing her International Development degree once her āwriting took off in that direction.ā
āI am working with my degree,ā says Stiller. āThat degree shaped my thinking.ā
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