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Int'l Organizations & UN News #18/2023

Amy Younger - Tuesday, September 26, 2023
 Events   IO/UNS Newsletter 

 International Organizations and UN News #19/2023 - September 26, 2023

Dear IO/UNS Community, 

As we wrap up the end of the UN General Assembly High-level Week, this week's newsletter provides a summary of the week and all that unfolded. 

In this newsletter, you will find: 

  • International Organizations News, including on the General Assembly and President Biden's Speech
  • IO/UNS Student Spotlight
  • What We're Listening To: Why the Expansion of BRICS capture the Geopolitical Zeitgeist
  • Event Recap: IO/UNS Retreat
  • 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.

Why The Expansion of BRICS Captures the Geopolitical Zeitgeist - Global Dispatches

BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It is a significant grouping for the sheer size of the countries involved. BRICS account for 40% of the world's population and nearly one third of global GDP.  In late August 2023, BRICS held a much-anticipated summit in Pretoria in which they agreed to add six more countries to the club: Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.

You would be correct in thinking this is an odd grouping of countries, but as Ali Wyne explains, the attractiveness of joining BRICS outweighs the rivalries that some of these countries might have with each other. And that, he says, captures the zeitgeist of geopolitics today. Ali Wyne is a senior analyst with Eurasia Group's Global Macro-Geopolitics practice, focusing on US-China relations and great-power competition.

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

IO/UNS Student Spotlight

This week, we are excited to introduce Victoire Mandonnaud (MIA, IFEP 2024). 

A painter, photographer, filmmaker, Victoire also has a 13-tracks album (The Very Best Of, The Victories), and is a triathlete. She has created The Generator, an experimental research platform using the arts to think about policies and develop them. Through this platform, they are exploring ideas such as state-without-territory, additional optional protocols for the environment and so forth, which is also a topic of interest of hers. 

Victoire thinks that we have to demand more from an international organization than what the UN can give. She is particularly interested by alternatives to states, or alternatively, to the representation of international orders. She thinks state systems play on delegitimizing other systems in order to strengthen a sense of the impossible within the public. Ultimately, she thinks that we, people, have to be resistant to ourselves, and less fine with the way it is. There will never be a moment but the one we take to become what we want to be. 

Victoire is running a marathon and fundraising for an NGO protecting wildlife in South Africa. You can follow Victoire on Instagram @vmandonnaud or on Linked In.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We'd like to shine a light on each amazing member of our IO/UNS family. Please fill out our questionnaire here.

Event Recap: Annual IO/UNS Retreat

On September 16, 30 students went on the annual IO/UNS retreat, a day filled with insightful discussions and activities. The group met up early in the day and traveled up to Columbia’s Lamont campus, a location about half an hour from New York City which is surrounded by nature. After an initial icebreaker session to get to know one another, the group was joined by three UN experts. In groups of 7-8 students, participants circled through various thematic discussions that focused on the experts' work.

Gülden Türköz-Cosslett, Director a.i. for Europe at UN Women, who until last year served as UNDP, led discussions on the role of the UN in promoting sustainable development. She also shared valuable experiences transitioning between different UN departments and highlighted the associated challenges this brings. She emphasized the importance of upholding UN values in one's work and discussed her time as Resident Coordinator in Albania and her work in Afghanistan, shedding light on the role of the UN in the newly Taliban-led Afghanistan. Louise Nylin, Chief of the Political Analysis and Programme Development Unit at UN Women, shared how political analysis is being used to design and evaluate programs at UN Women. She also delved into the future of the UN and the challenges it faces and spoke of the crisis of multilateralism. Ben Idrissa Ouedraogo, an Economics Affairs Officer at the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa spoke about the UN’s role in Africa's development and how the UN engages on topics like climate change and energy on the continent. The fourth thematic roundtable was led by IO/UNS director Professor Daniel Naujoks, during which students shared their vision for an 'ideal IO/UNS program' and how the specialization can help them pursue their goals. 

One participant remarked that she "enjoyed listening and engaging with the panel speakers. They offered amazing insight into their current and previous roles surrounding various organizations at the UN." This is echoed by another student who emphasized that "It was also great to hear from people who are working on the ground to make a difference and learn about the different ways they are making an impact. The close interactions with them was a unique opportunity that the retreat provided."

After lunch, the group went on a hike in the beautiful forest surrounding the Lamont Campus, which was an opportunity for students to get outdoors and explore nature. Notably, some students even spotted deer! Upon returning, the students showcased their creativity by re-writing song lyrics to "Señorita" by Camilla Cabello and Shawn Mendes and "Smells like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana to songs about multilateralism. The performances were really entertaining and thoughtfully crafted and the whole group really rallied together to show off their talents.

To wrap up the retreat, students mingled at the closing reception, enjoying music, drinks, and cookies before heading back to the city. All in all, the IO/UNS group retreat to Columbia's Lamont campus was a great day full of discussion, exploring, creativity, and bonding. 

UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGH-LEVEL WEEK CONCLUDED

At the UN General Assembly, multiple speakers addressed the rising number of coups and forgotten crises in various countries, as well as ongoing conflicts. There was also a focus on geopolitical fragmentation and the urgent need for international cooperation, with leaders warning of the consequences of not prioritizing diplomacy over conflicts.

Amidst these complex challenges, the future of multilateral engagement remained a prominent theme throughout the week. What was interesting about this particular UNGA was there were fewer prime ministers and presidents from larger or wealthier countries than usual, and US President Biden was the only leader from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the so-called P5- to speak in person. The overall message however from the week was that the world stands at a critical juncture, where the path to a brighter future hinges on the collective commitment to tackle global issues. 
 
PRESIDENT BIDEN'S SPEECH AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

In his address at the United Nations General Assembly, U.S. President Joe Biden addressed a range of pressing global issues, emphasizing the need for international support for Ukraine and greater global cooperation on climate change, human rights, artificial intelligence, development, and infrastructure. He reaffirmed the United States' commitment to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stressing the significance of Arab nations normalizing relations with Israel for Middle East stability, while also underscoring the imperative of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and working with partners to address Iran's destabilizing activities. Furthermore, Biden strongly condemned Russia for its "illegal war of conquest" in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of protecting the territorial integrity of nations and upholding the UN Charter. 

You can watch President Biden's full speech here

FIRST 67 COUNTRIES SIGN UN OCEAN TREATY

In June 2023, the United Nations adopted a historic agreement aiming to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction which cover over two-thirds of the ocean.

On the sidelines of the UNGA, 67 countries officially signed the new treaty to protect the world's oceans, including the US. This is hailed as an important step in efforts to reverse the damage done to fragile marine environments by overfishing and other human activities. While the signatures are important milestones, the treaty needs to be ratified on a national level before it goes into effect. More details here.
Events at SIPA & Beyond

Spotlighted Events

28 September

UN Adminstrative and Bureaucratic Politics 
CUNY

 

RSVP | EVENT INFO

26 September

Challenge and Solidarity : Dialogue on Human Rights Defenders at Risk
Columbia Law School

 

RSVP | EVENT INFO

4 October
The Limits of Humanitarian Assistance in Contested Regimes: A Discussion with Former Assistant Secretary General of the UN

In-person & online

RSVP | EVENT INFO
Tuesday, 26 September 4:30 - 6pm
Jerome Greene Hall

Challenges & Solidarity: Dialogue on Human Rights Defenders at Risk

3 winners of the Front Line Defenders 2023 Annual Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk, will discuss and explore the human rights situation in their country, their work and persecution they face in promoting and protecting human rights. 

More information here
Wednesday, September 27, 5:00 - 5:45 pm
Career Chat with Ana Corbacho, IMF Division Chief
420 IAB, CAC Conference Room

Dress Code: Business Casual

Join us for an enlightening career orientation session with Ana Corbacho, Assistant Director in the Western Hemisphere Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Currently overseeing IMF's engagements as the Mission Chief for Chile, and the Division Chief for Argentina, Bolivia, and Venezuela, Ana brings a wealth of experience in global finance and strategy. Previously, she led the IMF Strategy Unit in charge of strategic planning, the G20, and policy work on the SDR and the international monetary system. Beyond her significant roles at the IMF, Ana was the Principal Economics Advisor at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). She graduated summa cum laude from Universidad de San Andrés and holds a PhD in economics with distinction from Columbia University. As an active contributor to academic and institutional advancements, she serves on the alumni boards of her alma maters.
 
Thursday, September 28, 6:00 - 7:00 pm 
International Finance Corporation Employer Information Session
Business School, Geffen 620, 6th floor

Dress Code: Business Professional
International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, will address the students of Columbia Business School and SIPA and share details about the career opportunities in the institution across the globe. We will also cover the opportunities around the Global Internship Program, Young Professional Program, and other full-time job opportunities.

For more information, CLICK HERE.
28 September, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Graduate Centre, CUNY Ralph Bunche Institute Room


UN Administrative and Bureaucratic Politics

A conversation with Katja Hemmerich on the internal bureaucracy and politics of the UN in the fight for Human Rights. Katja Hemmerich has worked for 20+ years at the UN working on human rights, gender and organizational reform efforts. The session will be chaired by HRH steering committee member and Professor of Political Science at John Jay College George Andreopoulos.

Register here

 29 September, 4pm 
Albert and Vera List Academic Center, New York, NY, USA


Pakistan: Democracy without a Politics of People

Pakistan Academics Collective presents Pakistan: Democracy Without a Politics of the People. A conversation about the implications of Western intervention in the Global South and a polycrisis of civil liberties and democratic failures in Pakistan.

Register here
 

3 October 2023
The New School


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.

More information here
3 October 2023
Virtual


Institute of Global Politics Inaugural Summit

On behalf of Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo and Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Faculty Advisory Board Chair of the IGP, please join online for the Inaugural Summit of the Institute of Global Politics at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Speakers include Secretary Clinton and Jacinda Arden, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand.

More information here
4 October 2023
1.00-2.00pm
In-person & online

The Limits of Humanitarian Assistance in Contested Regimes: A Discussion with Former Assistant Secretary General of the UN

World leaders and humanitarians alike struggle over how to support affected populations caught up in conflicts where the legitimacy of the governing authorities is contested. From Syria, to Afghanistan, to Myanmar and beyond, traditional forms of humanitarian aid have demonstrated their limits in terms of reaching people in need. In some cases, aid has actually served to support illegitimate or murderous regimes and has prolonged their survival. In others, failure to adequately characterize crimes committed has led to impunity for perpetrators. Join HRHP’s discussion with former Assistant Secretary General of the UN, Charles Petrie, in person on October 4th. There are 50 first-come, first-served seats available for the in-person discussion in Room 405, where a light lunch will be provided. The event will also be live-streamed at the Zoom link below.

Register here
5 October 2023
IAB Room 802

Argentina’s Presidential Election: A Political and Economic Turning Point

Argentina is approaching this presidential election as a three-way race that broke traditional political cleavages amidst a decade of weak economic performance and a recent spike of high inflation. This roundtable will discuss the conditions behind this change and the political, social, and economic consequences of the election for Argentina.

More information 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.

Human Rights Intern in UN Counter-Terror unit

Application Deadline: 28 Septmeber 2023
Location: New York

This internship is located in the Human Rights Unit, Human Rights and Gender Section, of the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism United Nations, in New York.

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates entrusted to the Secretary-General across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and (e) ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.

This intership is UNPAID and is for an initial period of 3 months.

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

Data Research Intern at Department of Operational Support
Application Deadline: 13 November 2023
Location: New York

The Office of Supply Chain Management includes the Office of the Assistant Secretary General for Supply Chain Management, Logistics Division, the Procurement Division, the Uniformed Capabilities Support Division, Global Service Centre, Aviation Safety Section and the Enabling and Outreach Service. OSCM is committed to building efficient, agile, responsive, accountable, end-to-end uniformed capabilities and supply chain solutions for all our global partners and clients.

Our interns work as full members of our team, pursue projects that are designed to make a significant difference in OSCM, and have opportunities to learn about the United Nations overall.

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

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