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Int'l Organizations & UN News #14/2023

Asha Richards - Monday, April 24, 2023
 Events   IO/UNS Newsletter 

 International Organizations and UN News #14/2023 - April 25, 2023

Dear IO/UNS Community, 

As the end of the semester approaches, the IO/UNS Specialization Team wishes you good luck with exams, assignments and job/internship search! Do not forget to tune in to the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2023, now through April 27th, and participate in one of the multiple correlated side events throughout the week!

Also don't miss the opportunity to celebrate the end of the academic year, the graduation of some and the transition into the summer of others at our IO/UNS & UNA end-of-the-year social on May 1, 7.30pm at Amity Hall. 

In this newsletter, you will find: 

  • News from the UN
  • What We're Listening To: UNFPA Delivers Support to Expectant Mothers Caught Up in the Sudan Crisis
  • Events at SIPA and Beyond
  • Internship Opportunities
Daniel, Laura, Asha & Aurelian
IO/UNS Specialization Team

**Please note this message is clipped. You can open the message in a new browser to see full event and internship listings.
  • On April, 18, the High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism (HLAB) released its report that outlines an ambitious plan to strengthen the multilateral system, ensuring it is better positioned to address current and future challenges – from the climate crisis to rising inequality, lack of finance for sustainable development and increasing threats to democracy and stability. A Breakthrough for People and Planet: Effective and Inclusive Global Governance for Today and the Future includes comprehensive and detailed recommendations to strengthen the global architecture for peace, security and finance, deliver just transitions for climate and digitalization, and ensure more equity and fairness in global decision-making. It also argues that gender equality needs to be at the heart of a reinvigorated multilateral architecture along with recommendations to ensure the multilateral system is more networked, more inclusive and more effective.

  • Young people are valuable agents of change and around the world they are taking matters into their own hands and championing innovative solutions to accelerate action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From 25 to 27 April, thousands of youth leaders from around the world are poised to gather at the 2023 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum. In person and online, they are bringing their solutions, recommendations, and initiatives, sharing their ideas for ensuring a sustainable future is possible for all. Read more here.

  • UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a major call at a UN forum to find new ways to harness data today, to shape a peaceful and prosperous tomorrow, for all people and the planet. In a video message to the opening of the UN World Data Forum in Hangzhou, China on Monday, he warned that progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) has stalled, or even reversed, halfway to the 2030 deadline. Read more here.

  • On Earth Day, marked annually on 22 April, Naw Ei Ei Min, a member of Myanmar’s indigenous Karen people, explains why indigenous peoples have an important role to play, in protecting the environment and addressing the climate crisis. “For indigenous peoples, the land, the forest, water, is life. We depend on the natural environment, and we care for our surroundings. Managing natural resources is a strong part of our way of life." Read more here.

  • The relentless advance of climate change brought more drought, flooding and heatwaves to communities around the world last year, compounding threats to people’s lives and livelihoods, the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Friday. The latest WMO State of the Global Climate report shows that the last eight years were the eight warmest on record, and that sea level rise and ocean warming hit new highs. Record levels of greenhouse gases caused “planetary scale changes on land, in the ocean and in the atmosphere”. Read more here.

  • The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan issued a strong statement on Friday calling on both sides in the military power struggle to “implement humanitarian pauses” allowing civilians and aid workers to access essential supplies. The fighting between troops from the national army and a powerful rival militia known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted six days ago, and has had a devastating impact on civilian life and the major on-going humanitarian aid operation across Sudan. “At least 331 people have been killed nationwide, including five aid workers, and nearly 3,200 have been injured.” Read more here.

Interview - UNFPA delivers support to expectant mothers caught up in Sudan crisis

The UN Secretary-General has appealed for the military rivals in Sudan to lay down their arms for at least three days so that people trapped in their homes can get desperately needed food, supplies and medical help. Six days of fighting have been extremely devastating for civilians, including thousands of pregnant women now cut off from care, or hospitals where they can safely deliver their babies. The UN’s reproductive health agency, UNFPA, estimates that there are at least 219,000 mothers-to-be in the capital, Khartoum, alone. UNFPA Regional Director Laila Baker spoke to UN News’s Abdelmonem Makki about how staff there – who are mostly Sudanese nationals – are supporting expectant mothers amidst the crossfire and frustrated hopes of a ceasefire.  Listen to the interview here.

IO/UNS Student Spotlight

We are proud of the critical views and relevant experiences of our IO/UNS specializers. To give each other a platform and a better appreciation of our goals and ideas, we are looking for volunteers to shed a spotlight on in our weekly newsletter communications and post on our Twitter account (@UNatColumbia). We hope these spotlights will help foster an even better understanding of our IO/UNS community and to share your inspirations for pursuing an education in multilateralism and global governance. We know that each of you has something to offer. Don't be shy and please fill out our questionnaire here - we'd love to shine a light on you!
Events at SIPA & Beyond


Wed, Apr 26, 2023, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EST 
Mats Berdal: “The Political Economy of Civil War and UN Peace Operations”
IAB 707

RSVP | EVENT INFO

Thur, Apr 27, 2023, 1PM – 2 PM EDT
DP Seminar: From Climate & Security to the SDG Summit: Insights from Ireland’s leading role at the UN
IAB  801

RSVP | EVENT INFO

Mon, May 1, 2023, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM EDT
End of Year IO/UNS & UNA Social
Amity Hall Uptown

RSVP | EVENT INFO

Apr 24-27, 2023 
Virtual and In-Person

UN World Data Forum 2023

Held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in China, the UN World Data Forum aims  to spur data innovation, nurture partnerships, mobilize high-level political and financial support for data, and build a pathway to better data for sustainable development. Since January 2017, the Forum’s community has grown from 2,000 people who attended the first and second Forum in Cape Town, South Africa and Dubai, United Arab Emirates to active list of over 20,000 interested stakeholders. You can register for online participation and see the program here.

Apr 25-27, 2023 
Virtual and In-Person

ECOSOC Youth Forum 2023

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum provides a platform for young people to engage in a dialogue with Member States and other actors to voice their views, concerns and galvanize actions on how to transform the world into a fairer, greener and more sustainable place guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Youth Forum will address the theme of ECOSOC and the 2023 UN High-level Political Forum on sustainable development (HLPF) on “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at levels”. It will also review progress in the areas of clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and partnerships for the goals (SDG17).

The Youth Forum will also gather young people to share their  recommendations and innovative ideas in preparation of the SDG Summit, to be held under the auspices of the General Assembly, in September 2023. It will also aim to complement other intergovernmental meetings, such as the upcoming UN Water Conference (March 2023), the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework (May 2023) and the second part of the LDC-5 Conference (March 2023).

In addition to being able to watch the forum live on UN Web TV, there are a multitude of side events occuring throughout the week in person and via zoom. An exhaustive list of events and registration links can be found below:
April 25 Side Events
April 26 Side Events
April 27 Side Events 

Apr 17-28, 2023

22nd Session of The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is a high- level advisory body to the Economic and Social Council. The Forum was established on 28 July 2000 by resolution 2000/22, with the mandate to deal with indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. The theme of this year's session is "Indigenous Peoples, human health, planetary and territorial health and climate change: a rights-based approach"

Watch live on UN Live TV

Thu, April 27, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST
91 Claremont Avenue, 10T
End of Year Celebration - ISHR
Save the date for ISHR's annual End of Year Celebration. Join them for a social to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2023 graduating class and spend time with human rights students, faculty, and staff. Student speakers and fun surprises to be announced.
Mon, May 1, 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM ET
Amity Hall Uptown
End of Year IO/UNS & UNA Social

Join the International Organization and the United Nations Studies Specialization, SIPA's United Nations Association, and SIPA Debate and Diplomacy Society as we celebrate the end of the academic year, the graduation of some and the continuation of others. We look forward to spend the evening with food, drinks, and interesting discussions.
May 1-5, 2023
World Press Freedom Day
This year’s World Press Freedom Day global celebration is being organized at the UN Headquarters in New York, marking the 30 years since the UN General Assembly’s decision to proclaim 3 May as the international day for press freedom.

The programme for the high-level plenary sessions that will take place on 2 May at the UN General Assembly Hall is now online.

You can now register to attend this special anniversary event in person. Once your submission is reviewed, you will receive a confirmation email indicating if your application has been accepted. Attention: due to security reasons, only those with confirmed registration will be allowed access to the United Nations building. Tickets are nominative and no on-site registration will be possible. Therefore, it is imperative to register by the deadline. 

Confirmation of registration may be required for those participants who need a visa to enter the United States. This confirmation does not grant the automatic right for a visa.

Check out the full programme of World Press Freedom Day's 30th anniversary event on the website.

Around 40 events organized by partners will take place in New York City from 1 - 4 May.

Don't miss out on the global anniversary celebration: You can follow all the 2 May sessions on UN Web TV.

Internship Opportunities

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.

SIPA Summer Internship Stipend Applications Are Open!

Each year, SIPA provides a limited number of competitive internship stipends to qualifying students to partially supplement the costs of unpaid or low-paying summer internships. The application deadlines vary from April 21st to May 3rd at 11:59 p.m. Please make sure to check out CAC Summer Internship Funding Website for more details for each of the following summer stipends:

  • The CAC Travel Stipend (DP students who receive $2,999 or less in financial support for their summer field placements are eligible to apply for the CAC Travel Stipend)
  • Jorge Paulo Lemann Summer Internship Stipend
  • Named Summer Internship Stipends at SIPA
  • SIPASA Summer Internship Stipend
  • Whitman Family Foundation Summer Fellowship In Environmental Policy Studies

Detailed eligibility information, required documents, and application forms can be found on the Summer Internship Funding page of the SIPA website. For questions, reach out to sipainternships@sipa.columbia.edu.

Paid SIPA Fellowship with UNHCR: Refugees, IDPs & Development
Application Deadline: April 28, 2023
 
Please apply for the SIPA fellowship with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). From June 1st through November 30, 2023, the SIPA Fellow will support UNHCR's engagement and cooperation with development agencies in forced displacement contexts. The fellow will receive a modest stipend.

During the summer months (June-August), the fellowship will be fulltime and in-person at UNHCR headquarters in Geneva, while it will continue remotely and part-time during the fall semester.

The fellowship is only open to current SIPA students.

The envisioned starting day is June 1st. However, there is some flexibility to accommodate candidates' constraints.
Apply Here
UNA-USA 2023-2024 Youth Observer
Application Deadline: April 28 at 11:59 PM ET

The UNA-USA Youth Observer to the UN elevates youth voices in the global policy dialogue around international issues. For a one-year term, an American between the ages of 18-25 is selected to engage and connect young people in the U.S. to the work of the United Nations. The Youth Observer travels throughout the United States to discover the issues important to young Americans and serves as a youth delegate at UN conferences.

The Youth Observer also attends UN briefings, organizes events, and participates in coalitions to support a strong U.S.-UN partnership. The most critical role of the Youth Observer is to engage young Americans in the work of the UN, empowering them to be active participants to foster a greater global impact.

Apply Here

UN Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance Office of Human Resources - HR Intern
Application Deadline: 31 May 2023

The Organizational Development Section within the Office of Human Resources (OHR), Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC), of the United Nations in New York is seeking interns who are interested in joining a very dynamic and international office that is mandated to identify and respond to Organizational learning and development needs.

To address an ongoing need, they are seeking several interns specializing in a range of areas including Communications, Marketing, Visual Design, Data Visualization, Video Production, Instructional Design, Knowledge Management, Diversity and Inclusion, Human Resources, Finance and budgeting, and/or other fields such as Industrial/Organizational/Occupational Psychology.

The internships are UNPAID and full-time. Interns normally work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a Staff Development Officer, and typically work as a team of interns who support various projects throughout the Section and Division.

Apply Here

Department of Economic and Social Affairs - Economic Affairs Interns
Application Deadline: 04 June 2023

The internship with the Inter-organizational and Inter-institutional Support Branch (IISB) of the Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development (OISC) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) is for two months, with an opportunity for extension, pending on the needs of the Department.

The internship is UNPAID and full time.

Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in IISB to which they are assigned.

Apply Here

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights - Human Rights Intern
Application Deadline: 29 June 2023

The intern shall support 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.

This internship is an UNPAID and full-time engagement that provides a framework through which students from diverse academic backgrounds gain exposure to the work of the United Nations by way of their service within Secretariat entities. 

Based in New York, United States of America, under the overall leadership of the High Commissioner, the intern reports to the respective Chief of Section or Human Rights Officer in the area of assignment. This internship will be offered for an initial period of two (2) months, renewable for a combined period of six (6) months.

Apply Here

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 Dankowski Mercado, IO/UNS Coordinator, ld3071@sipa.columbia.edu
Asha Jhanay Richards, Program Assistant, ajr2264@columbia.edu
Aurelian Dragos Mohan, Program Assistant, aurelian.d.mohan@columbia.edu