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Int'l Organizations & UN News #27/2023

Nisha Karki - Monday, December 4, 2023
 Events   IO/UNS Newsletter 

 International Organizations and UN News #27/2023 - December 5, 2023

Dear IO/UNS Community, 

And just like that, we are at the end of the semester, and year 2023. This year has been special because of your enthusiasm and active participation in the IO/UNS community, holistically. But, getting here has been a journey, a testament to our individual, and collective courage and strength. We must celebrate that and celebrate each other. Thus, IO/UNS and UNA humbly invite you to our End of the Year Social.

Please join us for the End of Year IO/UNS & UNA Social on Monday, December 11th, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in Amity Hall.

Also, we look forward to your participation Today, in-person or online, at our event "Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity", with H.E. Dennis Francis, President of the United Nations General Assembly.

In this newsletter, you will find: 

  • International Organizations News
  • What We're Listening To: The Next Page -- Futures of Multilateralism
  • 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.

  • UN deplores "catastrophic" resumption of Gaza Fighting. The United Nations deplored the resumption of conflict in Gaza on Friday, Dec 1st, describing the hostilities as "catastrophic" and urging parties to bring about a lasting ceasefire. Israeli warplanes resumed bombing Gaza, sending Palestinian civilians fleeing for shelter after a week-old truce ran out with no deal to extend it. "The resumption of hostilities in Gaza is catastrophic," said Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. "I urge all parties and states with influence over them to redouble efforts, immediately, to ensure a ceasefire – on humanitarian and human rights grounds." In a post on X social media platform, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he regretted the resumption of hostilities and hoped a new pause could be established. Read more here.

  • 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 28): The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference has convened as of November 30th and shall continue till December 12th, 2023 in Dubai, UAE. COP 28 will focus on four paradigm shifts: fast-tracking the energy transition and slashing emissions before 2030; transforming climate finance, by delivering on old promises and setting the framework for a new deal on finance; putting nature, people, lives, and livelihood at the heart of climate action; and mobilizing for the most inclusive COP ever. Read more here.

  • COP28 climate summit just approved a "loss and damage' fund. Day one of the COP28 climate summit saw the first big breakthrough: agreement on a ‘loss and damage’ fund to compensate poor states for the effects of climate change. The agreement means wealthy states and major polluters will put millions of dollars towards a fund that will in turn distribute funds to poor states harmed by climate change. The fund will be administered by the World Bank. Initial commitments amount to US$430m. Read more here.

  • 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. The 16 days of activism against gender-based violence is annually observed on 25 November, on the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. Every year, the UNITE campaign focuses on a specific theme and this year's is "UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls". You can read this year's concept note, highlighting key advocacy objectives, and main principles of the campaign here.

  • The UN and African Union signed a new human rights agreement. On 28 November 2023, the United Nations and the African Union reinforced their partnership by signing a framework agreement on human rights, which follows a previous accord on peace and security, and another on development. They stressed their deep concern regarding the current international situation and expressed their regrets about the dangers and risks that challenge the common and shared values of both organizations. A complete note to correspondents - on the Seventh African Union-United Nations Annual Conference has been released via joint communiqué.

  • GCF, UNDP, and WHO join forces to ramp up climate health support for developing countries. The Green Climate Fund (GCF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched an ambitious new initiative, seeking to deploy USD 122 million in financing, that will ramp up support for developing countries to mitigate and respond to the impacts of climate change on health in 14 countries in Africa, Asia and Southeastern Europe. This unique financing mechanism will leverage public and private capital to promote climate-resilient, sustainable, and low-carbon health systems and assist countries in implementing their health commitments made at COP26. Read the full news here.

  • New Program to Protect Millions from Rising Climate-Related Deaths and Illness. The World Bank announced on Dec 03 at COP28 a new Climate and Health Program to urgently respond to the rising negative health impacts of climate change in low- and middle-income countries. Through this program, the World Bank will help countries assess their climate and health vulnerabilities, increase investments in climate-resilient health systems, and work with partners to mobilize additional financing, evidence, and collective action to reduce the impacts of climate change on people’s health and livelihoods. Read more here.

The Next Page: Futures of Multilateralism

Futures of multilateralism – an applied research project on the challenge of transforming the global order

Francesco Pisano, Director of the Library & Archives at the UN Geneva, discusses with three young graduate students and researchers from the Graduate Institute in Geneva, as they explore what multilateralism may look like in the following 3 scenarios: a world of stable and cooperative geopolitics and open access technology; a world of volatile geopolitics and open access technology; and a world of volatile geopolitics and closed access technology. In the second part, the students move on to a stimulating discussion reflecting on their research.

The Next Page is a podcast designed to advance the conversation on Multilateralism. Each episode delves into global issues through a multilateral lens exploring how collaboration across disciplines can facilitate reaching common goals.

Listen to the podcast here, or on any podcast platform.

IO/UNS Student Spotlight

This week, we are excited to introduce Bénédicte M. Yenyi (MIA, HRHP 2023). 

Working with, or for the U.N has been Bénédicte's childhood dream. Her first experience with the UN began during her undergraduate years at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a UNICEF volunteer. Since then, she has worked for the office of the Governor of Vermont during the summer 2023 flooding, interned with MSF-USA advocating for longer repayment periods for 3 African countries to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and completed two independent research.

Bénédicte's fascination with global governance stems from the belief that the world is evolving into a closely interconnected community-- "a village", demanding collaborative solutions that transcend physical boundaries. This necessitates the pursuit of a cooperative, win-win approach among global entities. The contemporary challenges confronting the world, including climate change, pandemics, terrorism, and economic instability, are intricate and interrelated, necessitating concerted efforts on a global scale. As someone, particularly drawn to development issues and humanitarian policies, Bénédicte firmly believes that poverty and inequality serve as primary catalysts for internal instabilities within nations. Consequently, in instances where prevention is unattainable, the development of humanitarian policies becomes imperative. These policies should empower populations, safeguard their dignity, and provide the necessary resources for reconstruction.

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

Spotlighted Events

Today 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 & Online

RSVP | EVENT INFO

Tomorrow 6 December | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

U.N. Competency-Based Interviewing: Workshop 2.2
IAB 409

RSVP | EVENT INFO

11 December | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

End of the Year IO/UNS and UNA Social
Amity Hall Uptown

RSVP | EVENT INFO

13 December | 1:15 PM - 4:00 PM

Permanent Mission of India to the UN: Shifting the Balance -  Perspective on UNSC Reform from Global South Think Tanks

ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ

RSVP | EVENT INFO

H.E. Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly: Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity
Today 05 December, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
IAB 1501: In-Person & Online

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, fulfilling the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, tackling the evolving effects of climate change, as well as cover many other topics.

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

RSVP here.

Perspectives in Conflict
Today 05 December, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Publique

Join the CRC for an intimate, informal conversation as 4+ Columbia students share their stories of personal, lived, and professional experiences with situations of conflict. This event is proudly co-sponsored by UNA.

RSVP here.

U.N. Competency-Based Interviewing: Workshop 2.2
Tomorrow 06 December, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
IAB 409

Join the HRHP Professional Development Series (2023 -2024) with Workshop 2, Part 2 where HRHP Co-Director and Professor Kristele Younes will guide students through UN-specific competency-based interviews.

Professor 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 the UN Security Council on matters related to humanitarian aid.

RSVP here.

08 December | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Publique

Pre-Finals Stress Relief Session

Join the SIPA Eurasian Student Association to take a break and join us for a delightful evening of comfort food and conversation. This is more than just a dining event. It's a chance to take a breather, connect with your peers, and gear up for success in a supportive environment.

RSVP here.

11 December| 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Amity Hall Uptown

End of the Year IO/UNS and UNA Social
Join the  International Organization and United Nations Studies Specialization, with the United Nations Association, as we celebrate the end of the year! Let's take a moment to celebrate each other and celebrate together, with fun interactions, food, and drinks.

RSVP here. 

13 December| 1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ

Shifting the Balance: Perspectives on United Nations Security Council Reform from Global South Think Tanks
Join the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations and member states for a roundtable discussion organized by the L.69 group. 

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.

Social and Environmental Compliance Unit- Intern: UNDP Office of Audit and Investigations
Application Deadline: 06 December 2023
Location: New York

Under the overall supervision of the SECU Head of Unit, the Intern shall assist in various capacities, including but not limited to policy and/or factual research; social media, traditional media, and other outreach/communication campaigns; and various administrative tasks.

This is a full-time internship for six months with start date of 22 Jan 2024. UNDP pays a monthly stipend to interns, according to their Internship Policy.

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

The African Women Leaders Network (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 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. 

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
Knowledge Management, SIDS and LLDCs Intern: UNDP Inclusive Growth Team, BPPS
Application Deadline: 18 December 2023
Location: New York

Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) is leading the collaborative processes of policy development, applied research, and programmes for Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States to ensure macro-micro policy linkages of UNDP’s work on sustainable development. Work will cover the 32 LLDCs and 39 SIDS, with their own unique development challenges.

Working under the guidance of the Senior Advisor on LDCS, LLDCs, and SIDS, the intern will provide research support for the preparation of inputs towards the knowledge products to be released during SIDS4 and LLDC3. Interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy if it is not financially supported by any institution or programme. The expected start date is 15 Jan 2024, and the term shall last for six months.

Apply Here

Volunteer Intern: UN Advocacy, Crisis Group
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 of 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
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