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Int'l Organizations & UN News #16/2024

Himadri Ratnayake - Monday, September 16, 2024
 Events   IO/UNS Newsletter 

 International Organizations and UN News #16/2024 - September 17, 2024

Dear IO/UNS Community, 

This week is a very exciting week at the United Nations, with the Summit of the Future action days taking place on Friday, 20 September to Saturday 21 September. The Summit itself will also begin on 22 September and close on 23 September. This high-level event is an incredible opportunity for world leaders, multistakeholder partnerships, youth and other multilateral actors to engage in discussions on building and preserving a better future for upcoming generations. 

Through this week's discussions and several significant side events, the "action-oriented outcomes" are meant to be presented in three documents, the "Pact for the Future," "Declaration on Future Generations," and the "Global Digital Compact." 

We'd also like to highlight today's talk by Nardos Bekele-Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency on Africa’s Future Pathways: Charting a Course for Sustainable Development and Financial Innovation and our interactive workshop this Friday (Sept 20) on Intergenerational Partnerships for Just Climate and Digital Transitions & Futures.

In this newsletter, you will find links and more information on particular side events pertaining to the Summit of the Future, that you can register and hopefully attend! 

In this newsletter, you will find: 

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.

In IO/UN news:

  • On 4 September 2024, top UN political and humanitarian officials renewed urgent appeals for the unconditional release of all hostages in Gaza, while emphasizing the need to ensure aid and protection for desperate civilians being continually displaced inside the warzone. The urgent meeting was requested separately by both Algeria and Israel. According to media reports, Israel demanded the Council condemn Hamas in the strongest possible terms and address the dire situation of the hostages still held in captivity. Algeria reportedly requested the meeting to discuss the worsening situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Read more about the meeting here.

  • "From one grave to another," the civil war in Sudan is causing significant damage to the country’s health system and severe consequences for women and children. UN mobile health teams are attempting to plug the gaps, crossing conflict zones to help pregnant women give birth in safety. Read more here on how health responder teams are braving war conditions and visiting remote communities in Sudan to save newborn babies.

  • After a decade as the secretary-general of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg will step down from his job on Oct. 1. How has Russia’s aggression transformed the world’s largest military alliance, and how is that alliance assessing challenges in the future, whether they are posed by China, artificial intelligence, or threats in the Arctic? Stoltenberg sits down with Foreign Policy for an exit interview, discussing the latest in the war in Ukraine, NATO funding, and his legacy.

Event Recap: IO/UNS Fall 2024 Social 

Thank you to all vibrant and energetic attendees of our Fall 2024 Back-to-School Social at Calaveras Corner this past Thursday. We enjoyed getting to know the new students and catching up with returning students. The floor was swimming with vibrant discussions on multilateralism, global cooperation, human rights, and insider SIPA tips. We were excited to see more than 80 students chat with Professor Daniel Naujoks and the IO/UNS team. Our Fall Social was so much fun because of all of you!

Awake at Night: "My Heart Was Crying"

Sara Beysolow Nyanti - Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)

For the many of who us shall embark our journey with the UN, the podcast "Awake at Night" highlights "What does it take to be a United Nations worker in some of the world's most difficult and dangerous locations [...] Stationed in remote locations and far from family [..]"

In this episode, our very own Sara Beysolow Nyanti (Guest speaker Spring 2023) talks about conflict, climate disaster and violnece in the wolrd's newset nation- South Sudan. She also talks about her personal life and gives a glimpse on issues that keep her awake at night.

Listen to the podcast here, or at any podcast apps.

IO/UNS Student Spotlight 

This week, we are excited to introduce Gabriella Ramirez (MIA, ISP, 2025). 

Multilateralism and global governance are critical to security and peacekeeping. Her academic focus lies at the intersection of human rights and security issues. She believes it is important to understand how cooperation between countries can prevent the escalation of warfare and lessen the probabilities of harm to civilians and combatants. She is particularly interested in the role of military intelligence in UN peace operations and how to use it as a tool for understanding and preventing conflict.

At Columbia, Gabriella serves on the University Senate on the Committee on the Rules of University Conduct and the Student Affairs Committee. As a proud first-generation college graduate from Newark, New Jersey, Gabriella is passionate about mentoring students, helping them navigate their academic and professional journeys.

You can follow Gabriella on Instagram: @gabriellarx3
____________________
Don't be shy, we'd like to shine a light on each amazing member of the IO/UNS family. Please fill out our questionnaire here.

Commemorating the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation shows that South-South Cooperation is a powerful vehicle that fosters inclusive growth, mutual learning, and shared success. In her think-piece South-South Cooperation: A Pathway to a Sustainable and Inclusive Future,  Al-Khatib shares examples from such cooperation, ranging from improving health systems and enhancing agricultural productivity to advancing education and technology. She highlights the pivotal role of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation in promoting, coordinating, and supporting South-South Co-operation, including through the digital platform South-South Galaxy, the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Solutions Lab, and specific South-South Trust Funds. Al-Khatib argues that through South-South and triangular cooperation, we can turn today’s challenges with regard to climate change, economic uncertainties, debt injustice, conflict, and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic into opportunities for transformative equitable change.

Read the full think-piece here and feel free to engage with this think-piece's announcements on BlueSky, X/Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Events at SIPA & Beyond

Spotlighted Events

Africa's Future Pathways: Charting a Course for Sustainable Development & Financial Innovation
Virtual and In-Person (IAB 407) **TODAY**

Tuesday, 17 September 2024, 1 - 2:00 PM ET

RSVP | EVENT INFO

 

Bollinger Convening: Food for Humanity: Unlocking the Potential of Universities to End Hunger and Malnutrition
The Forum at Columbia University
Saturday, 21 September 2024, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM ET
 

RSVP | EVENT INFO
 
Interactive Workshop: Intergenerational Partnerships for Just Climate and Digital Transitions & Futures
International Affairs Building
20 September 2024, 2-5 pm
RSVP | EVENT INFO

 

 

 

International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) 2024
Faculty House & Online
19-21 September, 2024

RSVP | EVENT INFO

 

 

IO/UNS Fall Retreat
DATE PENDING, All Day – In-Person
More information regarding the application and date are coming soon!
 
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE UN'S LANDMARK SUMMIT OF THE FUTURE 2024

1. What is the Summit of the Future?

After the 75th anniversary of the UN, a conversation emerged over "hopes and fears for the future" four years later. This major event took place last year in September at the New York UN Headquarters prior to the high-level debate of the General Assembly.

From Covid-19 to now, UN Member States are calling upon Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to create a plan for the future of multilateralism. He came up with "Our Common Agenda," a report that addresses global risks and threats. With an emphasis on sustainable development, youth and future generations, etc., the ultimate outcome is expected to be a "Pact for the Future," "Global Digital Compact," and a "Declaration for Future Generations."

2. Why does the Summit matter?
The Summit of the Future offers a chance to deliver on its promises, and create trust between leaders, younger generations and other global actors. Everyone is needed to make multilateral cooperation possible when it comes to addressing the world's most pressing concerns.

3. Who are the key players?
There will be two "Action Days" preceding the Summit. These representatives consist of civil-society members, private sectors, academia, local authorities, youth, etc. As someone noted, "this summit is for and by everyone."

4. What happens next?
Many of the discussions and ideas held during the Summit will need to time to "flourish" as it is the "beginning of a process." After the Summit, the focus will be on implementing the ideas addressed in the "Pact for the Future."

5. How can I get involved?
The UN is hosting a global campaign called "Act Now," which encourages people to call for a more sustainable and peaceful future. The UN Youth Office is also caling for young people to utilize #YouthLead as a way to push world leaders to make policymaking more inclusive.

You find all key information on the Summit, the Action Days and the Summit's Outcome Documents on the Summit's website.

SELECT UNGA SIDE EVENTS

18 September 2024, 10 AM to 8 PM ET
GloCha UN HQ NY Conference 2024- Celebrating the Future with Culture, Youth, Digital Innovation and Localization of SDGs
UN Headquarters, New York
More information can be found here.

24 September 2024, 11 AM to 1 PM ET
Sustainable and Targeted Poverty Solutions: Using the Multidimensional Poverty Index
UN Headquarters, New York
More about the event can be found here. Please register here.

24-26 September, 2024: 10 AM ET
Climate Week NYC 2024
Javits Center, 429 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Register Here

25 September 2024, 11.30 AM - 1 PM ET
Advocacy, Coalition Building and Transformative Feminist Action (ACT) to End Violence Against Women Programme Launch
Find out more about ACT here and register to follow virtually by September 20 here.

25 - 27 September 2024
ENERGYNOW SDG7 Action Forum 2024
211 East 46th St. New York, NY 10017
This event will be in-person and online.
To learn more, please go here and for registration go here.

22 - 29 September 2024, Various timings
Climate Week, NYC Climate Group
Hybrid
For more information, see here.

25 September 2024: 2 - 5 PM ET
Pillars of the Green Transition
Newsweek, One World Trade
For more information, see here.

26 September 2024: 12 - 1.30 PM ET
Empowering the Frontlines: A conversation with Martin Ennals award-winning lawyer Alejandra Ancheita - Global Climate Legal Defense (CliDef)
IAB 802
To learn more about the event and to register, please go here.
Africa’s Future Pathways: Charting a Course for Sustainable Development and Financial Innovation
Tuesday, 17 September 2024, 1- 2 PM ET TODAY
Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of the African Union Development Agency
In-person (IAB 407) & online

In her talk Africa’s Future Pathways: Charting a Course for Sustainable Development and Financial Innovation, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) elaborates on the evolving landscape of Africa’s development and the role of Agenda 2063 in shaping a robust financial architecture. She will discuss how NEPAD’s new  "Two Agendas - One Plan" framework integrates Africa’s ambitions and operationalizes these goals over the coming decade and beyond.
 
World Leaders Forum 

MON, SEPT 23, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tô Lâm, General Secretary, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

TUE, SEPT 24, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway

WED, SEPT 25, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Gabriel Boric Font, President of the Republic of Chile

WED, SEPT 25, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
K P Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal

THU, SEPT 26, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area

MON, OCT 28
Tomoko Akane, President of the International Criminal Court

More information and register here
Bollinger Convening: Food for Humanity 
Saturday, 21 September 2024, 9 AM – 4:00 PM ET
The Forum at Columbia University

Food for Humanity: Unlocking the Potential of Universities to End Hunger and Malnutrition

Conflict, climate extremes, and COVID-19 have disrupted food production and supply chains, leading to unprecedented global hunger, with 735 million people affected. The Food for Humanity Initiative, Climate School’s inaugural program on food systems, harnesses university expertise from various fields to address these challenges.

This one-day event, timed before the UN Summit of the Future and Climate Week in NYC, brings together scholars, practitioners, and organizations to forge new partnerships for food system transformation.
 
International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) 2024
Thursday, 19 September 2024
Virtual

Join the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), in collaboration with the Global Association of Master’s in Development Practice Programs (MDP), for the 12th Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD).

**Online parallel sessions will take place virtually on September 19. Please register here for the parallel sessions. The parallel session agenda will be sent to all registrants by mid-August.**

High level in-person sessions are invite-only this year, held on September 20-21 in New York, but will be livestreamed online. Those who will be in New York can submit an expression of interest to join the high level sessions, or can join online for Day 1 (September 20) or Day 2 (September 21).

The theme of this year's ICSD is “Solutions for the Future,” with participants sharing practical solutions for achieving the SDGs at local and national levels across 7 major themes.

Check this link for virtual registration.

Interactive Workshop: Intergenerational Partnerships for Just Climate and Digital Transitions and Futures

September 20, 2024, 2-5 pm
Columbia University
Register here

As part of the the Action Days of the UN Summit of the Future, Columbia University and the United Nations University's International Institute for Global Health hold an interactive workshop that brings together students, experts, government representatives and other relevant actors to draft a concrete Call to Action on how to promote partnerships in the design, regulation, development, deployment, and decommissioning of digital technologies and infrastructure to address global challenges, in particular climate and health justice and well-being. The deliberations will emphasize the meaningful engagement, leadership, and agency of youth.

After an initial expert panel, workshop participants will break into working groups to discuss specific issues of just climate and digital transitions. These small group discussions will culminate in an action-oriented outcome document of the workshop deliberations. 

Experts partcipating in the workshop include 

  • Xiaomeng Shen, Vice Rector, United Nations University (UNU)
  • Unni Karunakara, Director, UNU International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH)
  • Claudia Lopes, Research Lead on Digital Health, UNU-IIGH
  • Bushra Ebadi, Research Associate, UNU-Policy-Driven Electronic Governance
  • Marta Schaaf, Director, Amnesty International’s Program on Climate, Economic & Social Justice
  • Jiho Cha, National Assembly of Republic of Korea
  • Daniel Naujoks, Director UN Studies, SIPA-Columbia

and others,

Space is limited | please register here

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.

Addressing Mis/Disinformation Team in Peacekeeping Settings - Intern
Application Deadline: 22 September 2024
Location: New York

This internship is located in the Addressing Mis/Disinformation Team in the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS), Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DEPT) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The Addressing Mis and disinformation Team is working to strengthen the monitoring, analysis and responses to mis/disinformation and hate speech, in order to strengthen information integrity in mission settings. 

The intern will support with the following tasks: Assist in conducting research on issues related to the mis/disinformation; Assist in monitoring and analyzing the information environments, within peacekeeping settings, using various digital platforms; Assist in the production and review of various policies, papers, and other documents/materials; Assist in preparing reports, concept papers, policy documents, talking points, articles and other materials; Assist in the development of strategic communications, presentations and visualizations; Attend and take notes at conferences and meetings; Assist in servicing conferences and meetings; Assist in maintaining/managing databases;  Perform other duties as required. The Intern will report to the Policy Officer and the Senior Programme Management Officer of the Addressing Misinformation/Disinformation Team.

Desired start date is 18 March 2025, or sooner. This internship is UNPAID and is designed to be in person and full-time (35 hours per week). This internship can be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate to part-time (20 hours per week) and/or remote. Full-time internship is for an initial period of two months, and a part-time internship is for an initial four months. Internships may be extended up to a maximum of six months, depending on the needs of the Division. 

Sustainable Development Goals Intern
Application Deadline: 30 September 2024
Location: New York

The UNDSDG provides leadership in promoting and coordinating implementation of the sustainable development agenda of the United Nations and serves as the global secretariat for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and provides substantive inputs to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. For more information, please visit our website at The United Nations Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) is offering an internship opportunity with its

Under the supervision of a Senior Officer within DSDG, the intern will carry out responsibilities such as: Assisting with the virtiual events and training sessions; Supporting the research for the preparation of papers and reports related to the work of the Branch through the collection of data from multiple resources and assisting in reviewing and analyzing data from multiple resources; Researching and organizing information and assisting with analyzing trends; Assisting in the organization of upcoming conferences ie 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), 3rd UN Ocean Conference in 2025 and the Water Conference in 2026.

The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a senior officer of DSDG. 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), temporary FWA for the purpose of G-4 visa processing, and/or in part-time.

Economic Affairs Intern

Application Deadline: 24 October 2024
Location: New York

The position is located in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development (OISC), in the Inter-organizational and Inter-institutional Support Branch (IISB). OISC, under DESA, provides substantive support to the work of the United Nations General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.un. org/ecosoc/en.

Duties may include, but are not limited to: Following inter-governmental meetings of ECOSOC and the General Assembly, other relevant meetings/briefings, on various economic and social issues, in particular the 2030 Agenda, and preparing summaries of their outcomes;  Following and reporting on Member States' negotiations on draft resolutions; Assisting in the substantive and organizational preparations of the ECOSOC Coordination Segment, the ECOSOC Youth Forum; and the High-level Political Forum; Supporting the organization of panel discussions, roundtables, special meetings and briefings for the membership of ECOSOC; Following the work of the ECOSOC functional commissions and expert bodies to identify key issues and trends and assisting in facilitating their engagement with the Council's work; Undertaking research on trends and key issues for the consideration of ECOSOC; Assisting in the Branch's work on interlinkages between peace and development, as well as on the Ad Hoc Advisory group on Haiti; Providing inputs to statements, speeches, briefing materials, talking points and background notes; Assisting in the Branch's work on communication (maintenance of ECOSOC and HLPF websites; social media; video production; media alert/press release; and news article); Providing support to the Branch’s work on the engagement of the regional commissions in the work of the ECOSOC as well as in supporting countries in special situations (Least Developed Countries, Land Locked; Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States); Undertaking other tasks as required This position reports to an assigned staff member at IISB. 

The internship is UNPAID and full-time. The unpaid internship is designed to be in person and full-time at the New York duty station. 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), and/or in part-time.

United Nations Population Fund - Global Internship Roster (Multiple Locations)

Application Deadline: 31 December 2024
Location: New York

The UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

UNICEF - Internship x2, UNICEF Central Services Center, DFAM
Application Deadline: 31 December 2024 
Location: New York

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

With the creation of Central Services Center (CSC), NY IT Help Desk Team is deploying its services in collaboration with Facilities Help Desk, Computer Focal Points while continuing to implement major ICTD projects: Cloud Printing, Migration to Windows 11, Decommissioning of Direct Access and deployment of Secure Access, Decommissioning of Symantec Endpoint and Deployment of Microsoft Defender.
CSC NY Help Desk/DFAM is looking for a self-motivated and talented ICT Associate to join the New York CSC NY IT Help Desk team. The selected candidates will be physically stationed in New York. Selected candidate will join the existing CSC NY IT Help Desk Team, serving as the first point of contact for all matters related to ICT Customer support, hardware, and software provisioning. S/He will interact with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), more than 1,800 staff and consultants working remotely or at UNICEF NYHQ office (3UN UNICEF House and 633 Third Ave).

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