Back
No image description provided

Int'l Organizations & UN News #24/2023

Nisha Karki - Tuesday, November 7, 2023
 Events   IO/UNS Newsletter 

 International Organizations and UN News #24/2023 - November 8, 2023

Dear IO/UNS Community, 

We hope you had a happy and well-rested long weekend. A lot is happening around the world and in SIPA, that might have left you feeling hurt, misguided, disappointed, and enraged. Last week's students' planned walkout in support of doxxed peers was an expression of all those feelings, as well as the strength and resilience of SIPA students. We hope that SIPA students continue to show unity and resilience in the face of disagreements while displaying compassion and grace to each other. As we face the state of the world today, it is clear that multilateralism and global cooperation are more vital than ever. So are engagement and dialogues. And while the world today may seem divided and distraught, our work continues -- together.

In this newsletter, you will find: 

  • International Organizations News
  • What We're Listening To: Breaking Boundaries - Former French President Francois Hollande on Democracy and Global Challenges
  • IO/UNS Student Spotlight
  • Explainer- How AI helps combat climate change
  • 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.

  • "We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire", Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), on the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. With the deepening Israel-Palestine crisis about to enter its second month, the leaders of 18 United Nations agencies and non-profit organizations (NGOs) have made urgent appeals for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow more lifesaving aid into Gaza. Among those uniting behind the message that “enough is enough”, UN relief chief Martin Griffiths renewed earlier pleas for the immediate and unconditional release of the more than 240 hostages captured by Hamas and held in Gaza since 7 October. Read the full statement released by IASC here.

  • FAO report reveals hidden costs of agrifood systems. The health and environmental damage caused by food production costs the world $10tn a year, or 10% of global GDP - a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has revealed. The report found that the biggest hidden costs, more than 70 percent, are driven by unhealthy diets that are high in ultra-processed foods, fats, and sugars, leading to obesity and non-communicable diseases, and causing labor productivity losses. This is particularly the case in richer countries. The report sub-titled "Revealing the true cost of food to transform agrifood systems" can be read here.

  • UNESCO data reveals a worrying rise in violence against journalists during election period.  The findings come in a report published in tandem with the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, observed annually on 2 November. It examines the role of law enforcement agents, in ensuring the safety of journalists during public demonstrations and elections. From January 2015 to August 2021, UNESCO registered incidents in at least 101 countries where journalists were attacked while covering protests, public demonstrations, and riots. At least 13 were killed in such contexts. Read more here.

  • 14th Equator Prize awarded to 10 winners for groundbreaking nature-based solutions to protect, manage, and restore the world’s ecosystem. The 14th Equator Prize Award Ceremony will honor 10 nature-based solutions led by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities from across the world on 7 November at the UNDP flagship event “Nature for Life Hub”, dedicated to catalyzing global action for putting nature at the heart of sustainable development. “This year’s Equator Prize winners are demonstrating that there is great hope for people and the planet”, said Achim Steiner, Administrator of UNDP. Each of the winners is awarded a cash prize of US$15,000 for their significant work that showcases innovative responses to biodiversity, climate change, and development challenges. Winners are based in Brazil, Burundi, Bolivia, Ecuador, Greenland, Guatemala, Liberia, the Philippines, Nepal, and Zambia. You can attend the Equator Prize Award Ceremony on 7 November at 9:00 a.m. EST by using this link.

  • World Bank poised to host climate loss and damage fund. On Saturday, Nov 4, countries moved a step closer on Saturday to getting a fund off the ground to help poor states damaged by climate disasters, despite reservations from developing nations and the United States. A special U.N. committee tasked with implementing the fund met for a fifth time in Abu Dhabi this week - following a deadlock in Egypt last month - to finalize recommendations that will be put to governments when they meet for the annual climate summit COP28 in Dubai in less than four weeks' time. The goal is to get the fund up and running by 2024. To get all countries on board, it was agreed the World Bank would serve as interim trustee and host of the fund for a four-year period. Read more here.

  • New UN course launched to fight disinformation and bolster online safety. The UN launched a new online course that provides wikiHow platform users with vital tips on how to stay safe from the dangerous disinformation, that is increasingly populating social media platforms. The free course explores how misinformation spreads and teaches participants how to identify some of the most common tactics used to spread it, such as online stand-alone programs, known as bots, which can interact with systems or users. The course is currently available in English, Czech, German, French, and Russian.  

Breaking Boundaries: Former French President François Hollande on Democracy and Global Challenges  

As the 24th President of France, François Hollande was leading the country at the launch of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals—calling them one of the UN’s “most decisive steps toward ensuring the collective well-being of people and the planet.” In this episode, Hollande reflects on progress toward the goals and addresses the need for international reform, the importance of intergenerational collaboration, and the potential for democracy to address global crises.

Breaking Boundaries is a podcast from Northwestern University's Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs.

Listen to the podcast here, or at Apple podcast.

IO/UNS Student Spotlight

This week, we are excited to introduce Susie Han (MIA, HRHP 2025). 

Susie came to SIPA after seven years in the workforce, four of which were focused on working with migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Central America and the U.S.- Mexico border doing 1-1 client orientation, program design, and later policy/ advocacy related work with UNHCR.

Given the current volatile state of global politics driven by the tumultuous nature of national politics, Susie believes that multilateralism will be more key than ever to ensure that states are held accountable to uphold international norms that protect individuals personally impacted by crisis and instability. She is interested in exploring how global governance can be a catalyst to preserve human rights and prepare states to mitigate and respond to humanitarian emergencies vis-à-vis forced displacement– recognizing that serious reform is needed. In her words, Susie underscores “We are seeing an unprecedented number of people today who are compelled to leave their homes to seek safety and are in dire need of international protection. It goes without saying that such overwhelming volumes are testing the very framework states co-designed post-WWII. Today’s current events are calling for an innovative and contemporary approach to coordination and multilateralism to adequately address the complex root causes of mass migration while bolstering the capacity of the humanitarian imperative.”

Susie had lived in three different states growing up but calls California home and loves exploring the natural diversity that the Golden State has to offer! In her adolescence, Susie played the bassoon for 7 years and golf for 6 years-- and disappointed her Korean parents after turning neither into a professional career, to which she expresses - “sorry Mom and Dad!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

How AI helps combat climate change

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already making inroads worldwide in health, education, and industry, but how can this cutting-edge technology help the world combat and mitigate the effects of climate change? The recent launch of the UN-led AI Advisory Body advanced a growing global trend to harness machine learning to find solutions to common challenges. AI is upping the data-crunching game and a growing number of governments, businesses, and civil society partners are working together to reap its many benefits. 

Ahead of the latest UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28), which begins at the end of November in Dubai, this UN News Explainer looks at how AI helps the world, from communities to corporations to lawmakers, tackle climate change.
Events at SIPA & Beyond

Spotlighted Events

Tomorrow 9 November | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 
IGP: Spotlight Interview with David Miliband and Hillary Rodham Clinton

IAB 1501 & Online

RSVP | EVENT INFO

Tomorrow 9 November | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Global Essay Competition: Info Session
IAB 418

RSVP | EVENT INFO

13 November | 12: 30 PM - 1:30 PM

Mobilizing Action Towards the Global Compact on Refugees
IAB 407 and Online

RSVP | EVENT INFO

14 November | 5: 00 PM - 6:00 PM

Negotiating Access for Aid in Ukraine
IAB 411

RSVP | EVENT INFO

Support Space for Students with Family or Friends in Israel
Wednesdays, 12:00 - 1:30 PM
In-Person

This in-person confidential space is intended to provide comfort and support for students with personal connections to Israel, who are worried about the safety and well-being of their loved ones there or contending with grief at the loss of friends or relations in the conflict.

To sign up for the group, please email Yaniv Phillips at py2120@cumc.columbia.edu with the subject line "Support Space for Students with Family or Friends in Israel.”

Hosted by: Columbia Health Counseling and Psychological Services

Support Space for Students with Family or Friends in Palestine or Lebanon
Wednesdays, 5:00 - 6:15 PM
In-Person

This in-person confidential space is intended to provide comfort and support for students with personal connections to Palestine, who are worried about the safety and well-being of their loved ones there or contending with grief at the loss of friends or relations in the conflict.

To sign up for the group, please email Wardeh Hattab at wch2119@cumc.columbia.edu with the subject line "Support Space for Students with Family or Friends in Palestine or Lebanon.”

Hosted by: Columbia Health Counseling and Psychological Services
09 November | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
IAB 15th Fl

IGP: Spotlight Interview- A Conversation with David Miliband and Hillary Rodham Clinton

Hear David Miliband and Hillary Rodham Clinton in a discussion about the humanitarian sector and the reforms needed to enable greater impact.

Devastating violent conflicts, natural disasters, and the effects of climate change are just some of the causes of the displacement and extreme suffering of tens of millions around the world. David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee and Inaugural IGP Carnegie Distinguished Fellow, and Hillary Rodham Clinton, 67th Secretary of State and IGP Faculty Advisory Board Chair, will discuss the role of humanitarian assistance in responding to these crises and the reforms needed in the sector to enable greater impact.

RSVP here.
09 November| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
IAB 418

Global Essay Competition: Info Session

Join the information session with a representative form St. Gallen Symposium, and Columbia alum who won last year's competition. Master and PhD students can apply for the Global Essay Competition. The top 100 essay writers are invited to the St. Gallen Symposium and accommodated to the Leaders of Tomorrow Community.

RSVP here. 

13 November| 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
IAB 407 and Online

Mobilizing Action Towards the Global Compact on Refugees

Join us for a discussion with UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Gillian Triggs, in conversation with Kian Tajbakhsh, Coordinator of Columbia’s Committee on Forced Migration, and Daniel Naujoks, Director, UN Studies at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs.

In December 2023, the world will come together for the Global Refugee Forum to take stock and expand its commitments toward implementing the UN’s Global Compact on Refugees. This discussion will focus on how global displacement trends, refugee norms, and multi-stakeholder partnerships shape the way to the Global Refugee Forum and its impact on the lives of refugees and displaced persons the world over.

RSVP here.

14 November | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM 
IAB 411

Negotiating Access for Aid in Ukraine

HRHP is excited to host Denise Brown to speak about her current role as UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine and the different stakeholders and politics involved in securing access to aid for civilians in need throughout the country. Denise Brown will also speak about her experience as a woman in leadership roles at the World Food Program in countries around the world. The discussion will be hybrid on Zoom and in-person. Refreshments will be provided.

Ms. Denise Brown is the head of the United Nations in Ukraine. Since August 2022 she has been serving as UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, overseeing the coordination of the humanitarian response in Ukraine and the UN’s support for recovery. Ms. Brown has more than 26 years of experience working in international settings.

RSVP here.
14 November | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM 

Distinguished Leaders Dinner Series: Diego Mesa Puyo

The Public-Private Cooperation Club is proud to announce its Fall 2023 "Distinguished Leaders Dinner." As a part of our signature events happening once every semester, this dinner is created with the aim of having one-on-one conversations with important stakeholders from different organizations. The special guest for Fall 2023 is Diego Mesa Puyo, Former Minister of Energy and Mines, Colombia.

NOTE: This event is waitlist-only. You will be moved from the waitlist to the main list based on your response to the questions during the registration process.

Location: Register to display.

RSVP 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.

Adult Education and Education Planning Intern- Department of Operational Support
Application Deadline: 13 November 2023
Location: New York

This internship is located in the Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM) in the Department of Operational Support (DOS). The 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. OSCM offers internship opportunities in Strategic and Project Support in the area of Learning and Development.

The internship programme lasts for an equivalent of two months full-time (35 hours per week) and can be as long as six months. Full-time or Part-Time. In-person, hybrid (a few days in person and a few days remotely), or in specific instances fully remote.

Apply Here
Data Research Intern at the 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, the Logistics Division, the Procurement Division, the Uniformed Capabilities Support Division, the Global Service Centre, the 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.

The 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

Partnerships, Policy, and Communications Intern - UNCDF
Application Deadline: 30 November 2023
Location: New York

UNCDF is seeking an intern to be part of the Partnerships, Policy, and Communications Unit (PPC) in its Headquarters located in New York, United States. Working under the guidance and supervision of the Head of PPC, and working closely with PPC staff, the intern will support the ongoing work plan and goals of the unit, including but not limited to expanding partnerships; preparing policy briefs for high-level meetings; supporting the launch of major initiatives on blended finance and enterprises in Africa; and building and maintaining a base of knowledge about the Member States.

The internship manager is committed to providing the intern with the training, guidance, and support necessary to complete the duties and responsibilities effectively and within the internship period. This will include, but not be limited to, scheduled meetings (weekly) to assess output progress, systems training (where required), and completion of required university reports for the purpose of meeting any necessary Degree requirements.

The maximum internship duration is 6 months. Interns are partially financially remunerated by UNCDF. 

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: 31 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