Int\'l Organizations & UN News #12/2025

 International Organizations and UN News #12/2025 - April 15, 2025

Dear IO/UNS Community, 

• International Organizations News
• Student Spotlight  
• Podcast: What We're Listening To
• New on Multilateralism in Action: Why There’s Always a Path to International Cooperation: Human Ultrasociality Matters in International Relations
  
• Event Recap: Previewing the Fourth UN Conference on Financing for Development 
• Events at SIPA and Beyond 
• Internship Opportunities

IO/UNS Specialization Team

A paradigm shift is necessary: ultrasociality should be our starting point in understanding international relations and crafting policy. Ultrasociality is a human predisposition to be other-regarding, empathic, and inclined to seek wide-scale cooperation, even among strangers. The scholarly study of international relations, whose theories and prescriptions regularly filter into popular discourse has largely focused on explaining why we cannot trust each other, how self-interest dominates the system of states, and why the miscalculation and fear of leaders regularly triggers brinksmanship, oftentimes spiraling to the precipice of war. But as a species, we are actually not self-interested and power maximizing by nature. In Why There’s Always a Path to International Cooperation: Human Ultrasociality Matters in International Relations, Mai’a K. Davis Cross, Dean’s Professor of Political Science, International Affairs, and Diplomacy and Director of the Center for International Affairs and World Cultures at Northeastern University draws on her new book, International Cooperation Against All Odds: The Ultrasocial World (2024, Oxford University Press) to show that time and time again, societal movements have galvanized citizens across the globe on the basis of compelling ideas that tap into our ultrasocial tendencies and imagine a better future. The European integration project, space exploration, the agreement not to use nuclear weapons, and net zero carbon emissions are pivotal examples of major turning points in how we have tackled global security problems.

Read the full think-piece here and consider engaging with our announcements on LinkedIn and BlueSky.

15 - 17 April 2025 
2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum 
UNHQ, NY

Selected young candidates will:

• Engage directly with decision-makers and policymakers at the ECOSOC Youth Forum.
• Share insights and innovative solutions to advance sustainable development.
• Connect with fellow young advocates from diverse backgrounds and regions.
• Contribute to shaping international policies and commitments on sustainable development.
• Play an active role in driving progress toward the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs within the UN system and beyond.

Eligibility and Selection Process:
Selection of eligible young persons will be made by the UN Youth Office with the support of partners, including its Youth Reference Group, with due consideration to gender balance, geographical representation and other under-represented youth groups.

Interested candidates should review the detailed application guidelines available here:

For more information about the ECOSOC Youth Forum, please visit here

17 April 2025, 9–10am ET
World Bank: Empowering the Future Workforce: Youth Employment and Job Creation
Online

RSVP here

22 April 2025, 6 - 7:30pm ET
The Human Rights Council: Between Law and Politics in a Changing International Environment 
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
105 E 17th St New York, NY 10003 

RSVP here

Most SIPA students are not only required to participate in a specialization-related internship, UN-related internships are often critical to further develop skills and knowledge, build a hireable CV, and create or expand a meaningful professional network. Feel free to consult this document for tips and tricks for Sourcing Internships.

*Expected duration is four to six months full-time*

The Complex Risk Analysis Fund (CRAF'd) is the first and only multi-partner instrument to finance, connect,  and reimagine the data that saves lives. The CRAF'd mission is driven by the conviction that data, analytics,  and artificial intelligence can help global partners better anticipate, prevent, and respond to the complex risks  facing people and the planet in times of crisis. 

Inspired by the UN Secretary-General’s Data Strategy, CRAF’d is a trailblazer for the more inclusive, networked,  and effective multilateralism envisioned in Our Common Agenda. With sustainable and scalable financing,  CRAF’d will foster an open ecosystem to expand shared capabilities for unlocking more power from data for  insight, impact, and integrity in crisis action. 

Following a holistic ecosystem approach, CRAF'd is targeting $15-25 million in annual investments to foster  more action-oriented cross-data collaboration anchored in shared principles. By pooling resources in CRAF'd,  contributors share financial burdens, minimize risks, and cut transaction costs for critical data and analytics  outputs that all stakeholders depend on. 

The Public Affairs and Communications Intern will play a critical role in supporting the CRAF’d mission to  finance and scale data-driven solutions for crisis response. Working closely with the CRAF’d Fund Manager and project leads, they will help with external communications and content development; partnership engagement and stakeholder outreach; and support event planning and coordination. Be sure to read through the attached instructions on what other qualifications and responsibilities the intern will need to full, and also on how to apply for this internship. 

Apply Here

The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for providing leadership, operational support and oversight of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) globally. As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing precious resources. The work of the Department is further aligned under a clear mission, to enable United Nations system programme activities through trusted security leadership and solutions. This is a unique opportunity to join a diverse, dynamic and exciting organization gaining unique and valuable experience where security provides great value. Besides the opportunity to gain new skills and further advance security expertise, this position offers a fulfilling environment that gives you satisfaction by contributing directly or indirectly to peace and security, human rights and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. For more information on the Department, and how we make an impact on the world in enabling the achievement of SDGs, visit: https://www.un.org/undss/. This internship opportunity is located in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (OUSG), in the Strategic Planning Service (SPS), in the Gender and Inclusivity Unit, within UNDSS. The Gender and Inclusivity Unit plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality and inclusive practices within the Department, ensuring that diverse perspectives are integrated into security policies and programs. SPS contributes to UNDSS' efforts to enable the implementation of the United Nations mandate while ensuring safety and security of United Nations personnel. Be sure to read more about the intern's other tasks and responsibilities. 

*Desired start date is 1 May 2025 or sooner." 
The Leadership Support Section (LSS) is mandated to support the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and of Peace Operations in the UN Secretariat with the identification and appointment of senior leadership in UN Field Missions, including Special Representatives of the Secretary-General, Deputy Representatives of the Secretary-General, and Special Envoys across all Peacekeeping and Special Political Missions. The Section is focused on sourcing senior talent, vacancy management and recruitment processes, as well as offering support to currently serving leaders. The Section is also responsible for outreach and partnership-building initiatives designed to expand and diversify the pool of potential candidates for these senior posts. Our purpose is to support the Secretary-General on the leadership agenda in the field and to empower values-driven leaders to fulfil their mandates in pursuit of bringing and sustaining peace, stability and prosperity to and for the people they serve. Under the supervision of the Programme Officer, the intern may carry out the following duties: • Conduct online research to update the database of potential candidates for senior leadership positions, create new profiles, and conduct due diligence checks using open sources. Information contained in this database must be treated with the utmost level of confidentiality. • Support database clean-up and reviews of profiles for selection processes as required. • Prepare mission and country profiles with background documentation and mapping of key stakeholders in support of high-level recruitment processes. Be sure to read the rest of the intern's responsibilities. 

The Statistics intern positions are in the various Branches within the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), based in New York. Statistics interns typically report to the Chief of a Section or to a Statistician. The DESA/SD internship is for two months with an opportunity for extension, depending on the needs of the department. For more information about the Office, please visit https://unstats.un.org/home/. Depending on the situation of the successful candidates, the internship may also offer a Flexible Work Arrangement to be conducted fully remote, hybrid (in-person and remote), part-time, and/or temporary FWA for the purpose of G-4 visa processing. These internship positions are located in different branches of the Statistical Division (SD) of DESA. The interns will contribute to various statistical projects and tasks supporting the division's work on data collection, analysis, and dissemination. The interns report to the Chief of Section or Unit, or to another SD staff member. The interns will contribute to data collection, validation, analysis, and visualization projects within the Statistical Division, including support for statistical databases, software development, and preparation of reports, legal texts, and other documentation. Be sure to read more on some of the tasks the intern will need to fulfill. 

*The internship is meant to be part-time and in-person in NYC, but it can be adjusted. The expected duration is 4 - 6 months, and the desired start date is 19 May 2025.
This internship announcement is valid for one (1) candidate who will intern in the Exhibits Unit. The Exhibits Unit is part of the Visitors Services Section, Outreach Division, Department of Global Communications in New York City which engages and educates people and their communities worldwide to encourage support for the ideals and activities of the United Nations. The Exhibits Unit facilitates the review and production of exhibits for display at UN Headquarters and on the UN Exhibits website. These exhibits are thematic, informative, and educational and showcase important topics that the UN works on as part of the outreach to the general public on UN priority issues. Please visit: www.un.org/exhibits for more information about Exhibits at UN Headquarters. Part-time interns work less than 34 hours a week. This is under the supervision of a staff member in the Exhibits Unit within the Visitors Services Section to which they are assigned, although they also support the operation as a whole. The intern will participate in the day-to-day work of the Exhibits Unit. Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background and the projects the Unit is currently undertaking. Interns' responsibilities may include: supporting communication and outreach activities in relation to UN exhibitions, including drafting and editing website and social media content and monitoring social media output; researching, compiling, and organizing materials for use in the development of UN exhibitions; designing exhibit materials as needed; and assisting with planning and organizing exhibit installations and opening events. Be sure to read about the other responsibilities of the intern. 

*Expected duration is 3 - 4 months* 
The intern shall support the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) in fulfilling its mission: to work for the protection of all human rights for all people; to help empower people to realize their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented. Daily responsibilities of Public Information intern include, but are not limited to: -Researching current human rights issues to aid media and public information outreach; -Maintaining and updating media mailing lists; -Conducting media monitoring and compiling media clippings of news coverage of the work of the Office, the Treaty Bodies and Special Rapporteurs; -Help with preparation of material for press conferences; -Assist with setting up and running events, especially around Human Rights Day; -Draft website articles and social media posts; assist in researching material for speeches; -Perform other related duties requested by the supervisor, as appropriate. The internship is located at the New York Office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The selected intern will be part of the Inter-governmental Affairs, Communication and Outreach Support Section (ICOS) and will respond to the Public Information Officer.

We seek motivated interns to support the work of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG). You will take up assignments with the Strategic Planning and Monitoring Unit (SPMU) to support the Secretary-General with strategic analysis, priority-setting, forward planning, and alignment of plans and resources. Our interns report to full-time professional staff and will be assigned to at least one SPMU workstream. SPMU leads and supports products across four key workstreams: 1) strategic coordination and senior decision-making, 2) UN 2.0 / data, digital, innovation, foresight and behavioural science capabilities in the UN System, 3) risk, fragility, and crisis management across the UN System, and 4) management and analytics support. Interns can work with us in-person, fully remote, or hybrid; part-time or full-time; and for up to six months. We encourage candidates who can ideally commit to a full-time schedule for a minimum duration of three months. In your application, you should indicate your period of availability and the workstream you are interested in. Our interns work as key members of our team, pursue projects that are designed to make a permanent difference, and have opportunities to learn about the work of the entire UN System. The intern will be working under the following, WORKSTREAM 4: MANAGEMENT SUPPORT • Support analytics on UN system-wide / cross-cutting needs, priorities, resources, risks, and performance. • Support resource mobilization through donor research, contact management, and drafting meeting notes. • Assist in organizing meetings and events, handling logistical preparation and coordination. • Develop dashboards and visualizations for senior managers to support data-driven decision-making. For students interested in the Public Affairs and Communication Internship or this position should also send their CVs to shiyun.cheng@un.org.

Follow the IO/UNS Specialization on
CampusGroups, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp.

Feel free to reach out to us:
Daniel Naujoks, IO/UNS Director, daniel.naujoks@columbia.edu
You can book office hours here.

Laura Mercado, IO/UNS Coordinator, ld3071@sipa.columbia.edu
Angela To, Program Assistant, hat2123@columbia.edu
Himadri Ratnayake, Program Assistant, hr2574@columbia.edu