Int\'l Organizations & UN News #13/2025

 International Organizations and UN News #13/2025 - April 23, 2025

Dear IO/UNS Community, 

• International Organizations News
• Podcast: What We're Listening To
• Student Spotlight  
• Last Week's Multilateralism in Action: Why There’s Always a Path to International Cooperation: Human Ultrasociality Matters in International Relations
• Events at SIPA and Beyond 
• Internship Opportunities

IO/UNS Specialization Team

In case you missed it, last week's MiA think-piece was on Why There’s Always a Path to International Cooperation: Human Ultrasociality Matters in International Relations, where 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. 

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

21 April - 2 May 2025
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
UN Headquarters and online 

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 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. 

*The expected duration is 3 - 6 months, and the desired start date is 1 August 2025.

The internship is located in the Chinese Language Unit, Social Media Section, Campaigns and Country Operations Division of the Department of Global Communications. The section is responsible for social media activities of the Department of Global Communications and the integration of social media platforms, including social networking tools such as Facebook, Twitter, WeChat, Weibo, Tumblr, Flickr and YouTube, which are critical component of the Department's communications. Fluency in Chinese is essential, as the intern will support content creation and engagement across Chinese-language platforms. We encourage candidates who can ideally commit to a full-time schedule for a minimum duration of three months, starting on 1 August 2025, and work with us in person. However, interns can begin working remotely until they successfully obtain a G4 Visa and all necessary travel documents. Be sure to read more on some of the responsibilities of the intern. 

*The internship is flexible (hybrid, in-person, or all remote). The expected duration is 3 - 6 months, and the desired start date is 1 June 2025 or sooner.

This internship is designed to be full-time and in-person but can be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate to part-time (20 hours per week) and/or remote. Under the overall supervision of the Secretary of the Committee in the Committee Team, the Intern will: • Keep abreast of political developments on the Question of Palestine, including following and reporting on meetings at the General Assembly and Security Council and of interest to the Committee/DPR. • Research and assist in preparing background notes, presentations, briefings, minutes and reports for virtual and in-person Bureau and Committee meetings as required in the implementation of the Committee Programme of Work. • Support the tracking of Bureau decisions and actions as well as assist in monitoring their implementation. • Supports process for mapping and documentation of members states, including Security Council members, positions and responses on various issues and subjects related to the question of Palestine, including the Gaza conflict, Summit of the Future, etc. • Contribute to efforts to develop management systems and tools for helping to track Bureau decisions and monitoring of key performance results indicators as identified in the DPR’s annual workplan and other organizational strategic planning tools. • Support in the preparation of outreach materials to communicate the Bureau and Committee events, activities and results, including social media content. • Follow and report on external events, seminars, meetings, conferences, virtual and in-person, on topics related to the question of Palestine and of interest to the Committee/DPR. • Perform routine tasks in support of the Committee Team, including on meeting organization, scheduling and other tasks as assigned.

*The internship is flexible (hybrid, in-person, or all remote) and the expected duration is 3 - 6 months. 

The internship is in the Chinese Unit of the Web Services Section of the News and Media Division of the Department of Global Communications. The section is responsible for the design, development, maintenance, and overall support of the UN's flagship public internet website www.un.org, and many related sub sites that are managed by the Department of Global Communications (DGC). Within limits of delegated authority, the intern will be responsible for one or more of the following duties: • Conduct research on the web on thematic issues, adapt content for the web by rewriting or translating content from English to Chinese language. • Assist in the updating of web sites in HTML, SHTML, CSS or on WordPress and/or Drupal. • Draft, format, edit and post original web site content/news stories, including graphics, photos and videos. • Edit (provide subtitles or audio) to existing videos or producing short videos from existing videos. • Use multimedia communications and IT/web-related tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, web development programming and scripting languages, such as PHP, HTML5, CSS3, and digital editing tools to perform tasks. • Analyze data and web metrics producing reports as needed.

*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