Back
No image description provided

Int'l Organizations & UN News #17/2023

Amy Younger - Monday, September 18, 2023
 Events   IO/UNS Newsletter 

 International Organizations and UN News #17/2023 - September 19, 2023

Dear IO/UNS Community, 

It is an exciting week at the United Nations this week, with the General debate of the 78th session starting today, Tuesday 19 September. This will be an opportunity for leaders around the world to come together to discuss speeding up progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. President Biden will address the UN General Assembly today. Ukraine's President Zelensky is also expected to make a speech in person today on the first day of the General Assembly as part of a broader surge in Ukrainian diplomacy. 

The G77+China also met this weekend in Havana to promote the collective interests of developing nations. The UN Secretary-General spoke on Friday at the summit and praised efforts to promote international equality.

This past weekend, 30 students and the IO/UNS team went to Columbia's Lamont campus for our annual IO/UNS retreat. Students had the opportunity to meet with experts, explore nature and even dabble with song-writing! We really enjoyed getting to know all of you and we hope you had as much fun as we had! Stay tuned for the full event re-cap next week.

In this newsletter, you will find: 

  • International Organizations News, including on the General Assembly and G77
  • Event Recap: IO/UNS Retreat
  • What We're Listening To: UN General Assembly Preview
  • Events at SIPA and Beyond
  • Internship Opportunities

Daniel, Laura, Amy & Nisha
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.

Just Security Podcast - UN General Assembly Preview

Richard Gowan, UN Director at the International Crisis Group, and independent organization working to prevent wars and shape policies that will build a more peaceful world, discusses what to expect from this years UN General Assembly meetings. 

The U.N. General Assembly’s annual meeting is underway in New York. Leaders from around the world will attend the High-Level Week, which begins on September 18. On the agenda are topics ranging from the continuing response Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, to slow progress on sustainable development, and the looming regulation of artificial intelligence.

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

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. 

Don't be shy and let us get to know you, a little more better. Please fill out our spotlight questionnaire here.

UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGH LEVEL WEEK

The upcoming UN General Assembly High-Level Week, scheduled for September 19th to September 26th, promises to be a significant event on the global diplomatic calendar. During this week, world leaders, diplomats, and representatives from member states will convene at the United Nations headquarters in New York City to address pressing global issues and share their perspectives on key challenges. Some of the main themes and objectives of this event may include COVID-19 pandemic response, climate change action, geopolitical conflict resolutions, global development efforts, human rights advocacy, digital governance considerations, peace and security discussions, global economic recovery strategies, and global health concerns. This High-Level Week serves as a vital platform for leaders to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism and the principles of the United Nations while working together to find solutions to the world's most pressing issues.

For a cheat sheet of the week, please visit the UN General Assembly High level week page. All events will be streamed on UN Web TV.

UN ADOPTS SDG SUMMIT POLITICAL DECLARATION

Yesterday, on September 18, the UN General Assembly adopted the SDG Summit Political Declaration that aims a providing high-level political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions leading up to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2030.
 
G77+CHINA SUMMIT IN HAVANA

This weekend in Havana, the G77 group of developing nations, along with China, convened to discuss pressing global issues. The event aimed to foster collaboration among member countries to address common challenges, such as economic development, climate change, and equitable trade practices. China's presence at the event underlined its growing role in global affairs and its commitment to strengthening ties with developing nations. The discussions in Havana sought to promote collective action and solidarity among G77 members and China in pursuit of a more equitable and sustainable world order.

NEW FINANCING THE UN DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM REPORT PUBLISHED

The 2023 report on the financial system of the UN development system is out now. This report explores how multilateral collaboration can address global challenges, the importance of ODA and the path towards gender equality.  It maintains focus on financial data quality, development of effective monitoring tools and broadening the data presentation. Contributors share options of how to deal with the current global challenges and provide several success stories.

GLOBAL CENSUS POLL ON MULTILATERALISM

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) has lauched its fourth annual global census poll guaging public opinion on key matters of multilateralism and international cooperation. This poll aims to provides an overview of global perspectives on a wide range of issues. By surveying individuals from diverse regions worldwide, the census offers valuable insights into socio-economic, political, and environmental concerns. The report shows that the United Nations and its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are highly popular across countries and continents - people want positive change and for the UN to drive it. However, many doubt that the UN is well prepared for the many challenges ahead, and demand reforms so that words finally turn into action. Global North much more pessimistic than Global South; belief that UN is not prepared for challenges of the future. And the poll finds strong global support for reform of UN Security Council. The launch of the FES Global Census underscores the importance of evidence-based approaches in addressing complex issues in our rapidly evolving world. 

NEW UN SECRETARY-GENERAL REPORTS

The new report on the Overall performance of United Nations peacekeeping operations addresses the fundamental challenges facing peacekeeping today and highlights efforts to strengthen the performance of United Nations peacekeeping, with a particular focus on the period since the launch of the Action for Peacekeeping initiative in March 2018 and the Action for Peacekeeping Plus implementation plan for the period from 2021 to 2023. 

A report on the work of the United Nations presents the work the UN has done to support Member States in driving the 2030 Agenda, advancing climate action, promoting gender equality, protecting human rights, advancing peace and security, coordinating humanitarian assistance, promoting justice and international law, furthering disarmament, increasing drug control, preventing crime, combating international terrorism, and consolidating United Nations reform. 

TEN CHALLENGES FOR THE UN

Each year, ahead of the UN General Assembly, the NGO/Think-Tank Crisis Group highlights Ten Challenges for the UN in 2023-2024 in a broad and succinct overivew of key political developments within the UN and around the world. 

Events at SIPA & Beyond

Spotlighted Events

19 Sept - 23 Sept

UNGA High Level Week
Virtual
 

RSVP | EVENT INFO

Thu, Sep 21, 2023: 1- 2 pm ET

International Food Potluck by Migration Working Group
Tables Outside SIPA
 

RSVP | EVENT INFO

Fri, Sep 22, 2023: 2:30pm- 4:30 pm ET

Pragmatic Engagement with Afghanistan: Can the International Community Promote Human Rights?
Faculty House

RSVP | EVENT INFO
17 - 24 September 2023 
Virtual
 
Climate Week NYC by Climate Group

Climate Week NYC is the largest annual climate event of its kind. It's organized by Climate Group, in partnership with the UN General Assembly and the City of New York.  This year the theme is "We Can. We Will", reflecting determination,  focus, and a hopeful promise for action. The Week aims to provide a platform for showcasing leading climate action and discussing how to do more, fast.

The Week will feature over 400 events spread across ten themes, in New York and around the world, as part of the wider Climate Week NYC events programme, with a series of guest speakers. 

Register here.

21 September 2023, 1 PM - 2 PM ET 
Tables Outside SIPA
 
International Food Potluck by Migration Working Group

The MWG is hosting its first fall potluck on on Thursday, September 21st from 1-2pm. Please bring your favorite food, baked good or beverage from your country (or just one that you love!). The potluck would highlight the large variety of countries represented at SIPA.

The event will bring students together over a delicious lunch. Weather permitting, the event will take place outside of SIPA on the tables in the plaza.,

Click here to register.

22 September 2023, 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM ET 
Faculty House
 
Pragmatic Engagement with Afghanistan talk with the Saltzman Institute 

In the two years since the fall of the republic in Afghanistan and victory of the Taliban, the Taliban has consolidated its power and increased its control over the political, economic and social aspects of life in the country. A visible challenge of the current relationship of the Taliban with the international community is that they lack an understanding of their capacity to influence and persuade the other side to concede from its stance, and both sides are waiting to see the other side retreat from its position. Importantly, the people of Afghanistan, specifically women and minorities, are losing during this patience game. This panel discussion will explore the decision and policy making environment of the Taliban, and mechanisms of influencing this environment that will encourage positive policy steps by the Taliban for the rights of women, children, and minorities.

More information can be found here.

20 September 2023, 8:30 AM - 10 AM ET 
Virtual

Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response

The President of the General Assembly, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, will convene Heads of State and Government for a one-day meeting to adopt a political declaration aimed at mobilizing political will at the national, regional and international levels for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

Watch the event at UN Web TV.

Read the Zero Draft of the Political Declaration here
20 September 2023, 10 AM - 6 PM ET 
In person and online

Climate Mobility Summit

The Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM) invites you to join us at the Climate Mobility Summit, in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week. Both in-person and online attendance options are available. Express your interest in attending the Summit by completing this form.

The Climate Mobility Summit is an all-day event bringing together global champion leaders and Principals of relevant UN organizations and stakeholder entities to discuss ways to harness climate mobility for adaptation and resilience, as well as to press for climate action to prioritize climate-resilient development around the adaptation needs of populations affected by the climate crisis, particularly those forced to leave the places they call home.

20 September 2023, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ET 
In person and online

Transforming education: Overcoming crisis, improving learning outcomes

Educational poverty in low- and middle-income countries has reached a tipping point; 53 percent of children are unable to read and understand a story by the end of primary school. This requires an ambitious transformation of the education sector, which is still recovering from the impact of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. But returning to the pre-COVID status quo isn’t enough, and ambitious learning recovery and acceleration are needed if we are to have a shot at achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030. The current education system is at capacity and the demand is only set to increase, with nearly 750 million children expected to be of school age by 2060. This shift will strain education budgets and increase the need for sustained investment in quality education. But the education gap is also a data gap. According to UNESCO, there is no information on the learning levels of two-thirds of children across sub-Saharan Africa. Gathering and analyzing data is an essential first step for improving learning outcomes, and recent interventions show that progress is possible if efforts focus on classroom practices informed by evidence and data that’s tangible and easy to interpret for teachers and policymakers alike.

21 September 2023, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM ET 
Online

SDG Action Zone

Every year, the SDG Action Zone provides a meaningful platform for a diverse range of actors to share perspectives, spotlight solutions, and build a community to inspire pathways for change and boost the powerful movement for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year, the world finds itself at a critical point for Sustainable Development: the halfway mark. With 7 years to go to fulfill the 2030 Agenda, only 15% of the SDGs targets are on track. Therefore, unyielding, uncompromising action on poverty, inequality, hunger, disease, conflict, and climate is more urgent than ever before. The SDG Action Zone 2023  hopes to inspire action, and bridge the gap between words and change. But we need everyone, everywhere to join the movement.

The SDG Action Zone opens the UN General Assembly to the SDG champions, activists, and allies to feature critical insights for people and planet: from thought leaders, to social movers, changemakers and the highest levels of UN leadership – bringing together diverse and dynamic perspectives for unscripted and impactful exchange sparking momentum and igniting action for everyone participating.

More information and registration here

3 October 2023
In-person

Right to Asylum

The Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility is pleased to host a series of events commemorating the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The day will feature a panel on the current situation regarding asylum seekers and migrants, a panel on the future of the asylum system, and a film screening of the new documentary Adrift. The evening will conclude with an address and Q&A session with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.

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.

UNDPO - Programme Management Intern
Application Deadline: 20 September 2023
Location: New York

Department of Peace Operations has two positions located in the Digital Enablement team (DET) leading the implementation of the Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping (DTS) within the Office of the Director for Coordination and Shared Services (ODCSS) serving the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Peace Operations (DPO).

Interns report to full-time professional staff and focus on one of the two tracks:
Area 1: Coordination and Programme Management
Area 2: Communications and Strategic Support

This internship is UNPAID and is designed to be in person and full-time (35 hours per week). It can be adapted for remote and/or part-time (20 hours per week) upon request.

Apply Here
Global Compact Office - Economic Affairs Intern
Application Deadline: 3 October 2023
Location: New York

Kindly indicate in your application "Fall Internships: commencing October 2023" as the period you intend to start your internship.

The United Nations Global Compact Office (UNGCO) is offering internship opportunities with its New York office. The UNGCO is the entity responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Global Compact initiative, including the management of the Global Compact’s name and logo, and the Global Compact Integrity Measures.

Internship opportunities are available in various teams. 

Under the supervision of a Programme Officer of the United Nations Global Compact Office and depending on their level of experience and training, the UNGCO interns will carry out responsibilities, such as: Conduct research relating to the topic of corporate sustainability; Draft and edit publications, papers and other documents; Liaise with Global Compact stakeholders on key corporate sustainability topics; Support the organization of meetings and events; etc.

The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a relevant staff member of UNGCO.

Apply Here

Office of the Victims' Rights Advocate - Political Affairs Intern
Application Deadline: 06 November 2023
Location: New York

This position is located in the Office of the Victims' Rights Advocate (OVRA).  The mandate of the Victims' Rights Advocate was created as part of the four-pronged strategy set out in the 2017 report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly on special measures on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse: a new approach (A/71/818). Its mandate is directed to ensuring that the rights and dignity of victims are at the forefront of all elements of the United Nations system-wide response to sexual exploitation and abuse alleged to be perpetrated by United Nations uniformed or civilian personnel and non-United Nations troops serving under a Security Council mandate. 

The intern will support the work of the Office of the Victims' Rights Advocate and work under the supervision of the Human Rights Officer. 

This is an UNPAID, full-time internship for an initial period of three months, with an opportunity for extension up to a total period of six months.

Apply Here

UN Women - AWLN Project Support Intern
Application Deadline: 8 December 2023
Location: New York

The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) was launched in June 2017 in New York. The AWLN seeks to enhance the leadership of African women in the transformation of the continent, in line with the Africa Agenda 2063 and the Global Sustainable Development agenda 2030. AWLN serves as a continental platform to galvanize women’s leadership towards lasting peace and sustainable development, the promotion of gender equality, and women’s empowerment in all sectors and at all levels, building on, and working with, existing women networks. 

The Project Support Intern will work closely with the AWLN Policy Analyst; as a person supporting the implementation of a women's leadership project, the intern’s duties and responsibilities would be crucial in ensuring the success and impact of the initiative.

Apply Here
International Rescue Committee - Refugee Resettlement Intern
Application Deadline: 31st December 2023
Location: New York

This is a part time internship, The Resettlement Intern will assist case management staff in providing reception and placement services to newly arrived refugees as they adjust to their new lives in the US. (S)he will play a key role in helping refugee families access needed benefits and services within their first to six months in the United States. The intern will also perform a series of clerical and administrative duties to ensure client files are kept up to date. 

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
Amy Younger, Program Assistant, ay2564@columbia.edu
Nisha Karki, Program Assistant, nk2960@columbia.edu