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Int'l Organizations & UN News #26/2023

Amy Younger - Monday, November 20, 2023
 Events   IO/UNS Newsletter 

 International Organizations and UN News #26/2023 - November 21, 2023

Dear IO/UNS Community, 

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you have a wonderful break and come back next week feeling refreshed and ready for the end of the semester.

In this newsletter, you will find: 

  • International Organizations News
  • What We're Listening To: Humanitarian AI Today: Suzy Madigan, Founder of the Machine Race
  • IO/UNS Student Spotlight
  • 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.

  • APEC summit ends with unity on WTO reforms but not Gaza or Ukraine. The final joint statement did not mention either conflict. There was also a significant meeting between President Biden and President Jinping. They found common ground on climate issues and agreed that military talks should resume. There were indications of a return of “panda” diplomacy between China and the US. More on the summit can be found here.

  • Fuel restrictions are curtailing aid efforts in Gaza, UN agencies said on Saturday. Israeli authorities approved half of dalily minimum needed for humanitarian operations, UNRWA said in a statement. In northern Gaza, WHO led a “high-risk” mission to Al-Shifa hospital to develop an urgent evacuation plan. On Saturday morning there were also reports of attacks on UNRWA schools. Read more here.

  • OHCHR has voiced alarm of ethnically motivated mass attack in Darfur. This follows ongoing conflict in the area between the national army and a rival military. Hundreds of ethnic Masalit civilians were reportedly killed by the rival military, Rapid Support Forces. Read more here.

  • Negotiators meet in Nairobi, Kenya to discuss proposed text of a new plastic pollution treaty. The treaty aims to cut down on mass-produced plastics, as millions of tonnes of plastic end up in landfills, rivers and oceans every year.

  • No end in sight to rising greenhouse gases, says UN weather agency WMO. Despite decades of warnings from the scientific community, we are currently on the pathway of an increase in temperatures well above the Paris Agreement targets. Meanwhile severe floods in the Horn of Africa have put lives of displaced people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia at risk. This comes in the wake of the most severe drought on record.

  • African Union and Caribbean nations joint forces this week in a historic event to demand reparations for slavery. The meeting, which took place in Barbados marked the beginning of an “intercontinental campaign” to seek reparations from European powers. Read more here.

Humanitarian AI Today: Suzy Madigan, Founder of the Machine Race

Suzy Madigan, founder of ‘The Machine Race’ blog series and senior humanitarian advisor at CARE international speaks with Shivaang Sharma, PhD researcher on Humanitarian AI systems at University College London (UCL). Ahead of the UK Government’s AI Safety Summit, Suzy and Shivaang discuss some of the human rights and safety implications of AI for society globally, particularly for communities in the global south experiencing humanitarian crises, conflicts, poverty or marginalization and look at how to ensure that the design, deployment and governance of AI is inclusive and equitable, to make sure everybody can share in its potential benefits and be protected from potential harms. The discussion will help humanitarian actors understand why traditional humanitarian NGOs need to think through the implications of AI both for the societal changes it brings, and the considerations for using AI within humanitarian operations.

Listen to the podcast here or on other podcast apps.

IO/UNS Student Spotlight

This week, we are excited to introduce Megan Wu (MIA, HRHP 2025). 

Through first-hand experiences, Megan became jaded with how unsustainable humanitarian aid and disaster relief can be both domestically and internationally. She strongly believes that, if utilized meaningfully, multilateralism can efficiently help teams adapt systems to fit a variety of needs. Unfortunately, it seems that issues arise because there is too much separation between departments and there is also not enough emphasis on a bottom-up approach. Megan knows that there is no universal answer to sustainability, but it is truly inspiring to learn from the wealth of experiences that the professors, the speakers, and the students all bring SIPA.

After graduating from UT Austin (hook em'), Megan left to serve in Peace Corps Moldova. When all PCVs were evacuated back to the US early because of COVID-19 Megan served as a team leader in AmeriCorps NCCC. Megan was deployed to various disaster areas across the Pacific region of the US dealing with wildfire mitigation, food and financial security in low-income areas, and resource support for other field teams. Megan then taught English in South Korea.

Hakka/Taiwanese 3 Cup Chicken (三杯鸡): 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 6 slice of ginger, 5 cloves of garlic, 1 dried chili, 2 lbs of chicken wings, 1/4 cup warm water, 1/4 cup shaoxing wine, 2-5 tsp dark soy sauce, 1.5 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tsp sugar, small bunch of thai basil

You can follow Megan on instagram @megs_wu

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

SIPA UN Association Board Applications

The UNA, a close student-led IO/UNS partner, is currently accepting applications for a number of positions on their board. To apply please fill out this short 15 min form.

The deadline for submission is 11:59 pm on Sunday, 26th November 2023. Thereafter, successful candidates will be contacted for further discussions about their interests and motivations. 

UNA aims to connect the SIPA community to issues on the UN agenda and to build a better understanding about the functioning of the organization itself, based on the pillars of International Security, Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs, Development and Environmental change, as well as other areas relevant to the work of the UN and the UN system as a whole.
Events at SIPA & Beyond

Spotlighted Events

21 November | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Charting the Future: Children's Rights and the Climate Crisis.
Columbia Law School
RSVP | EVENT INFO
https://sipa.campusgroups.com/lasa/rsvp_boot?id=1926971
27 November | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
A Talk with Roberto Patiño: Venezuelan Democracy and Human Rights Violations
IAB 418
RSVP | EVENT INFO
https://sipa.campusgroups.com/IOUN/rsvp_boot?id=1926968

5 December | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

H.E. Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly: Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity
IAB 1501

RSVP | EVENT INFO
TODAY 21 November | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 
IAB 402

HRHP Workshop: Interview and Networking Skills

HRHP is excited to continue the new Professional Development Series with a second Workshop. Networking is a valuable tool when it comes to the job search process. An interview can make or break an applicant’s chances for getting hired. HRHP Co-Director and Prof. Kristele Younes will guide students through these processes, including for UN-specific competency-based interviews. Prof. Younes was most recently the Head of Office for the UN OCHA in South Sudan. She also led the IRC's engagements with UN agencies, funds and programs, and with Member States, and advocated to UN Security Council on matters related to humanitarian aid.

RSVP here.

TODAY 21 November | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 
Columbia Law School

Charting the Future: Children's Rights and the Climate Crisis

Professor Benyam Dawit Mezmur - Chairperson of the United Nation's Committee on the Rights of the Child and Professor in Law, University of the Western Cape in South Africa discusses children's rights, the climate crisis and the role of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

RSVP here.

27 November | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 
IAB 418

A talk with Roberto Patiño: Venezuelan Democracy and Human Rights Violations

Join LASA for a thought-provoking evening as we delve into the complex issues surrounding Venezuela's democracy and human rights in an exclusive talk featuring Roberto Patiño, a renowned expert in the field. Patiño will share his insights, experiences, and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Venezuela and the region.

RSVP here.
29 November | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM 
UN Headquarters

India-UN Development Partnership Fund Anniversary Event 

The Permanent Mission of India to the UN and the UN office for South-South cooperation invites you to "India- UN Development Partnership Fund: 6 Years of Collaborative Partnership"

Established in 2017, the $150 million India-UN Development Partnership Fund is supported and led by the Government of India and implemented in collaboration with the United Nations system.

The Fund supports Southern-owned and -led, demand-driven and transformational sustainable development projects across the developing world, with a focus on least developed countries and small island developing States. United Nations agencies implement the Fund projects in close collaboration with partnering Governments. 

RSVP here.

30 November | 11:30 PM - 1:00 PM 
Location TBD

Walking Together: Central Americans and Transit Migration

Join Sociologist Alejandra Díaz de León describe the trajectories of different types of social networks that migrants form, showing, surprisingly, that pre-established social networks might not be the best social arrangement in transit.
Migration through Mexico is violent and uncertain, yet in Walking Together we see how this experience bonds some people together like family even though they may not have started that way before the journey.

RSVP here.

5 December | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 
IAB 1501 and Online

H.E. Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly: Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity

How can the global community rebuild trust and reignite global solidarity amid today’s various global crises? H.E. Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly, shares the vision of his presidency on how the United Nations should promote peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability in the 21st century. He will highlight the role of multilateral cooperation in realizing the foundational aims of the UN, as well as in fulfilling the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and tackling the evolving effects of climate change. The President will explore these issues through the lens of human rights as the heart of multilateral cooperation and a key pillar of the UN system, particularly in light of this year’s 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Overall, his intervention will emphasize the actions the world community needs to take today to build a safer, more just, and prosperous future for all.

The talk will be moderated by Professor Daniel Naujoks, Director of UN Studies at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs.

Columbia students, faculty, and staff may attend in person; others please join us virtually. Please see the different registration options. A light lunch will be offered during the event.

RSVP here.

Application Deadline: 4 December 

Andrew Wellington Cordier Student Essay Contest

"The Andrew Wellington Cordier Student Essay Contest from the Journal of International Affairs offers current students at Columbia University the opportunity to contribute original work to the current print issue. The winner is published alongside the work of scholars and practitioners in the issue and on the journal's website and also receives a cash prize. Previous winners' work can be found here.

This issue's theme, "Technology in Global Policymaking," is currently accepting submissions.

Details and submission guidelines can be found 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.

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

Application Deadline: 30 November 2023
Location: New York

UNDP is seeking two interns to support the engagement of the IDPS Secretariat in 2024. The first intern is expected to work in 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024 (6 months), while the second intern is expected to work from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024 (6 months). 

The International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (IDPS) Secretariat, hosted by the United Nations Development Programme,(UNDP), provides coordination support through facilitating regular communication among its constituencies, coordinating meetings and events to support the implementation of IDPS activities, and facilitating linkages between IDPS and other relevant fora. It provides administrative support for IDPS meetings and events, fundraising efforts and managing of reporting to donors. The Secretariat further provides communication support through production and dissemination of relevant analytical work, facilitating knowledge sharing, consolidating, and disseminating learning from IDPS events on SDG 16+ and Sustaining Peace agendas, developing communication products, and maintaining IDPS presence on social media platforms.

Apply Here

Application Deadline: 11 December 2023
Location: New York

Crisis Group is offering an exciting opportunity to learn about multilateral diplomacy and get a first-hand understanding about how a policy organization conducts advocacy at the United Nations. In this full-time volunteer opportunity, you will be following developments at the UN Security Council, contributing to Crisis Group’s engagement with UN agencies and member states, and assisting the UN team on research projects. This is a full-time volunteer position for six months starting in  February 2024.

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