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Int\'l Organizations & UN News #14/2025

Himadri Ratnayake - Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Events IO/UNS Newsletter

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International Organizations and UN News #14/2025 - April 30, 2025

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Dear IO/UNS Community,

Congratulations on making it to the final week of classes of the Spring semester! Summer is in sight! We wish everyone the best of luck with locking-in on final exams and papers and overcoming the end-of-the-year slump. Speaking of end-of-the-year, reserve your spot for the IO/UNS End-of-the-Year Social this Friday, May 2, 4-6pm at the Baylander and make sure to cast your vote here in the election for this year's prestigious IO/UNS awards by tomorrow (May 1, 11am).

In this newsletter, you will find:

International Organizations News
Podcast: What We're Listening To
Student Spotlight
Events at SIPA and Beyond
Internship Opportunities

Daniel, Laura, Angela & Himadri

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.

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On Monday, 28 April, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) began hearings into Israel’s continuing severe restrictions on the work of the UN and other international organizations in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). As the representative for Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Legal Counsel Elinor Hammarskjöld reiterated Guterres's many calls for a ceasefire, for humanitarian aid to reach all people in need and for all hostages to be freed. There are 13 UN entities present in Gaza, Ms. Hammarskjöld noted, adding that 295 UN personnel have died in Gaza since the war began on 7 October 2023, following the Hamas-led terror attacks in southern Israel. This also comes after the World Food Programme made a statement on Friday regarding the end of all food supplies in Gaza.
The UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025 meeting is set to take place in Berlin on 13 and 14 May. The UN and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment to peacekeeping – a vital tool for global stability that must now adapt to dwindling resources. “This is a particularly timely meeting,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, at a press conference in New York on Thursday, 24 April. “It’s a unique opportunity to underline the added value of peacekeeping and ensure we remain ready, as a peacekeeping family, to respond with Member States to any new mission that may arise.” The ministerial meeting is expected to draw around 1,000 delegates to the German capital next month, including foreign and defence ministers from across the globe. Their goal is to shape a peacekeeping model that is more agile, intelligent and resilient.
On Thursday, 24 April, The State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples exposes a stark imbalance: while Indigenous Peoples make up just six per cent of the global population, they safeguard 80 per cent of the planet’s remaining biodiversity yet receive less than one per cent of international climate funding. The report offers an assessment of climate action that is not only lacking in urgency, but in fairness. From green energy projects imposed without consent, to policy decisions made in rooms where Indigenous voices are absent, these communities are too often excluded from climate solutions, displaced by them, and denied the resources to lead the way. “We are custodians of the natural world who are committed to maintaining the natural equilibrium of the planet for the generations to come," states Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, in the report’s foreword.
The UN Security Council has strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday that killed at least 26 tourists and left many more injured, calling for accountability and international cooperation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
On Friday, 25 April, after four and a half months the fall of the Assad regime, the interim authorities have begun taking formal steps towards political reform, according to the Security Council. These include the formation of a broader, more diverse cabinet and initial plans to establish an interim People’s Assembly. The new three-starred flag – one more than the Assad-era banner - was used by groups opposing the old regime and its forces. Syria is undergoing a rocky transition after years of conflict and authoritarian rule. Despite tentative political progress, ongoing violence, deepening economic hardship and a worsening humanitarian crisis reveal the urgent need for international support. Over 70 percent of the population is in need of aid and more than half face food insecurity.
The number of desperate refugees fleeing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and seeking safety in Burundi continues to rise, placing immense pressure on aid agencies struggling to cope with an escalating crisis amid dwindling resources. Since January, more than 71,000 people have crossed into Burundi, fleeing ongoing violence in eastern DRC, according to UNHCR data. Since then, more than 12,300 have been relocated to Musenyi refugee site, while others live with host communities in border areas. UNHCR's funding crisis has only worsened, leaving little support for family relocation or tracing and cuts to food rations.

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Antibiotic shortages: A looming health crisis

"Antibiotics save lives. But when the supplies run low or bacteria become resistant, the risks grow — especially in developing countries.

On this episode of The Weekly Tradecast, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) economist Bruno Casella explores the challenges of securing essential antibiotics, the impact of limited local production, and how better investment and coordination can strengthen supply chains.

Join us to discuss UNCTAD’s findings on antibiotic shortages in East Africa and the urgent need for action."

You can listen to it here.

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IO/UNS Student Spotlight

This week we are excited to introduce our very own Program Assistant, Hanh Angela To (MPA, 2025)!

Angela’s passion for multilateralism is rooted in her deep appreciation for learning new languages as gateways to different cultures, perspectives, and modes of collaboration. Her academic and professional journey reflects a commitment to engaging with global challenges, fostering cooperation across diverse communities.

Before beginning her graduate studies, Angela spent three years in Madrid, where she taught English to middle and high school students. This immersive experience not only deepened her understanding of education as a tool for cross-cultural exchange, but also strengthened her appreciation for global interconnectedness.

Her main areas of interest lie at the intersection of cybersecurity and diplomacy, where she seeks to address the evolving threats posed by nation-state actors and transnational cybercriminal networks. As part of her graduate work, Angela is currently working on a capstone project with McKinsey & Company, focused on strengthening cyber resilience in the healthcare sector that is a critical infrastructure increasingly targeted by sophisticated cyber ransomware threats.

In addition, Angela is interning at the United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO), where she monitors developments across fragile countries and supports initiatives that bridge humanitarian response, sustainable development, and peacebuilding efforts. You can connect with her at her LinkedIn here.

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2 May 2025
IO/UNS End-of-Year Celebration
The Baylander

Join the International Organization and United Nations Studies Specialization as we celebrate the end of the year. Let's come together over drinks and food overlooking the Hudson to discuss our favorite multilateralism topics, how to salvage international cooperation and enjoy each others company.

Let us celebrate those who are graduating, as well as all that we have accomplished and everything we've overcome, as individuals and as a collective -- let's take a moment to celebrate together. There will also be a raffle with great prizes. And maybe someone will sing a multilateralism song ...

From the fall on, the specialization will be incorporated into the new ISD concentration. UN studies will continue at SIPA as the new structure will have a UN and IO studies track and minor. But without Professor Naujoks or dedicated IO/UNS PAs and somewhat less as an indepedent unit and community. For this reason, in a way, we are celebrating the last time in this constellation. Come out and make it count!

Please RSVP here

Vote in the IO/UNS Award Election

It is voting time! We received nominations for five award categories:

Next UN Secretary-General
UN Reformer
Next President of the UN General Assembly
First Resident Coordinator
Peacemaker

Make sure to cast your vote by tomorrow, May 1, 11am.

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

The 24th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, is taking place in the UN Headquarters in New York, under the theme "Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges". Learn more and watch the live broadcast.

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If anyone is interested in trying a new app to help find UN jobs and internships, you can check out this app here. This unofficial list further gives direct links to 90 UN bodies and offices in addition to job and internship info. You can check out the link here. If you want to register with the UN's HR gateway, you can do so 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.

Public Affairs and Communication Intern

Application Deadline: Submit ASAP
Location: New York or remote

*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

Political Affairs Intern - Committee Team in DPR

Application Deadline: 1 May 2025
Location: New York

*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.

Apply Here

Public Information Intern

Application Deadline: 4 May 2025
Location: New York

*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.

Apply Here

UN Talent Pipeline

Application Deadline: 4 May 2025
Location: New York

The UN Talent Pipeline is a capacity-building program designed to help professionals from developing countries that are considered unrepresented or underrepresented within the UN Secretariat increase their readiness for UN career opportunities.

Eligibility/Requirements:

- Mid-career professional from a United Nations Member State considered as developing and unrepresented or underrepresented (see the list)
- Hold a Master’s degree with at least five years of relevant experience (or seven years with a Bachelor's degree).
- You have an educational background that aligns with the talent pipeline you are applying for.
- Have at least an intermediate level of English in all four areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking).
*Current UN Secretariat staff members are not eligible to apply. However, personnel from UN Funds, Programmes, and Specialized Agencies may apply, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria.

Apply Here

Human Rights and Public Information - Intern

Application Deadline: 11 May 2025
Location: New York

*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.

Apply Here

Marketing Intern

Application Deadline: 11 May 2025
Location: New York

*The internship is unpaid and full-time and will last 6 months. This internship is available as soon as possible.*

This internship is for two summer internships located in the Sales and Marketing Section, Outreach Division of the Department of Global Communications in New York City. The Outreach Division engages and educates people and their communities worldwide to encourage support for the ideals and activities of the United Nations. The Sales and Marketing Section works to promote United Nations' knowledge, communication, and outreach objectives by publishing, selling, distributing, and licensing, print and electronic publications, periodicals and databases that disseminate UN knowledge, studies, and data. The intern will assist the Sales and Marketing Section in designing and implementing the overall marketing strategy for United Nations Publications; promoting the UN brand; and driving demand for UN publications. The selected intern may perform some of the following functions: - Assisting with planning and producing marketing campaigns across different channels and platforms - Providing logistic support for the organization of public events in the UN Bookshop - Drafting, formatting, editing, and posting original web site content/news stories/ social media content, including graphics, photographs, and video - Maintaining databases and compile reports- Conducting research on thematic issues - Assisting with development and implementation of surveys - Providing general office support (processing, drafting, and finalizing correspondence and other communications; setting up and maintaining files/records, organizing meetings, etc.)

Apply Here

Strategic Coordination and Management Support - Intern

Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
Location: New York

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.

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

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