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IO/UNS Newsletter [10/26/22]

Asha Richards - Wednesday, October 26, 2022
 Events   IO/UNS Newsletter 
October 26, 2022

Dear IO/UNS Community, 

Happy Diwali! We hope that midterms season is going well so far and you are all doing well. In this newsletter, you will find: 

  • News from International Organizations
  • What We're Listening To
  • IO/UNS Student Spotlight
  • Event Re-cap: UN Day
  • Events at SIPA and Beyond
  • Internship Opportunities

**Please note this message is clipped. You can open the message in a new browser to see full event and internship listings.

Daniel, Asha & Aurelian
IO/UNS Specialization Team

In UN news:

  • Secretary-General António Guterres has called for renewed hope and conviction in global solidarity in his message for United Nations Day, being celebrated on Monday. Read more here.

  • The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously approved a sanctions regime for Haiti, targeting gang leaders and those who finance them, in the hope of easing months of violence and lawlessness which has fuelled a major humanitarian crisis. Read more here.

  • Russia’s military escalation in Ukraine will lead to more suffering worldwide and must be reversed, said the UN’s political affairs chief on Friday, adding that further talk of possible nuclear weapons use could lead to a “dangerous spiral”. Read more here.

  • Women and girls are bearing the brunt of the worst drought experienced in Kenya for 40 years, which is exacerbating the risk of sexual exploitation, violence, and abuse. More information here.

PODCAST: Climate, Conflict, and Human Rights at Risk

Most people are familiar with the phenomenon of refugees, those forced to flee their country of origin, because of a well-founded fear of persecution or, in some places, because of armed conflict or natural disaster.

But there is another, equally vulnerable category of people, who don’t cross international boundaries, but find it necessary to relocate to a different region of their country.

On today’s episode of The Lid Is On, Conor Lennon met with Cecilia Jimenez-Damary – the outgoing UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons – on the link between conflict and the climate crisis, which is increasingly causing people to leave their homes in search of safety. Listen here.

 

IO/UNS Student Spotlight

This week, please meet Saeed Bazroon (MIA/EPD '24).

Saeed’s interest in multilateralism ignited from his passion to deliver social services and accessibility to youth globally. He believes that the young generation is more aware about global challenges, and that we need to do our part as policy makers and scholars to pave the way for them to thrive and connect. Last summer Saeed was the Y20 Saudi delegate in Indonesia where he worked alongside 19 other G20 delegates to deliver a communique of policies, regarding youth employment, to be delivered at the G20 summit in October 2022. Outside of SIPA, Saeed owns a coffee shop in Saudi Arabia and is a professional barista. His shop operates as a social enterprise to empower youth, women, and young Saudi artists via collaboration with NGOs and the young community. 

We are proud of the views and experiences of our IO/UNS specializers. Don't be shy and please fill out our questionnaire here - we'd love to shine a light on you

Event Recap: UN Day

This past Monday, the UN celebrated its 77th anniversary and so did we at SIPA for our annual UN Day Festival. Students used the #MultilateralismRocks photo booth, took pictures with their favorite SDGs, and mingled over snacks, and tried their luck at a UN prize raffle. (The winners will be announced soon.)

In the afternoon, a group of SIPA students joined IO/UNS director Daniel Naujoks for an event at UN Headquarters on "Higher Education and Multilateralism: Academia Responding to Global Challenges" that also included Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications. 

In his remarks, Professor Naujoks spelled out key ways in which higher education works with the United Nations. Namely, universities:

  • Serve as a forge of talent, creating the skills and abilities of future UN leaders;
  • Leverage students' expertise and ideas to contribute to global debates; 
  • Act as a think-tank to amplify and critically evaluate ideas from the UN, act as a sounding board and idea generator for multilateral solutions;
  • Infuse multliateral processes with expertise, take on longer-term research, both on UN and multilateral processes, as well as the subject matter knowledge, such as on climate, human rights, conflict, poverty, development, migration, technolgy.
Events at SIPA & Beyond

Spotlighted Events

Fri, Oct 28, 2022 11:00AM - 12:00PM ET

Trip to the European Union Delegation to the United Nations!
EU Delegation at the United Nations HQ

RSVP | EVENT INFO

Spotlighted Events

Thu, Nov 3, 2022 5:00PM - 6:30PM ET

The Human Rights Council in the Current Geopolitical Context
IAB 802

RSVP | EVENT INFO
27 October 2022, 10:00 PM – 11:30 PM ET
In-person event
Challenges for moving toward a more inclusive democracy

Amid controversy over the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, concerns about high inflation and economic uncertainty, and rising threats to the stability of the electoral process and American democracy, the stakes for this year’s midterm elections could not be higher. Now, a new and extensive national survey of more than 2,500 Americans illuminates Americans’ attitudes about racial justice and religious pluralism, trust in public institutions such as schools and libraries, reproductive rights, gender identity and LGBTQ+ issues, and structural reforms to our political parties, processes, and courts. The survey also highlights what values and issues are driving voters’ concerns this November. 

On October 27, Governance Studies at Brookings and the Public Religion Research Institute will host the release of its 13th annual American Values Survey. A panel of experts will discuss the survey results and what they reveal about American’s attitudes as they relate to the midterm elections and beyond. The survey also highlights long-term trends in partisan and religious affiliation, abortion attitudes, immigration reform, and support for QAnon, among other issues. 

Click here to register.

28 October 2022, 9 - 10:30 AM ET
Livestream
Global Launch: World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2022

The World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index is the world's leading source for original rule of law data. WJP has released the Index annually since 2009, and this year's edition will expand to cover 140 countries and jurisdictions around the world. This live, virtual presentation of new Index findings will reveal whether the rule of law is rebounding after the pandemic-era declines and where to look for bright spots. 

4 November 2022, 9 - 10:00 AM ET
Online
Communication training: How to harness the power and potential of social media to support the achievement of the SDGs

ConnectAID is organizing its next online event on the 4th of November 2022, at 9 am NY/ 3 pm Paris, on “How to harness the power and potential of social media to support the achievement of the SDGs”.

  • Adam Rogers, ConnectAID’s Vice President, Author of numerous books including Taking Action Online, and Senior UN Adviser 
  • Carol Ndosi, Digital Strategy Expert and advocate for development in Africa.
  • Host: Gaelle Mogli, Founder of ConnectAID 
  • Moderator: Geraldine Avella , ConnectAID Community Advocate  
9 November 2022, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM ET
Webinar
2022 Washington Humanitarian Forum: Closing the Gap
The 2022 Washington Humanitarian Forum will feature a mix of country-based and thematic panels, with an emphasis on less widely covered crises—the Democratic Republic of Congo and Haiti—priority crises with serious funding or operational gaps—Afghanistan and Syria—and with thematic panels that look at new actors, changing narratives, competition for resources between humanitarian action and other foreign assistance priorities. The forum will also focus on the importance of tackling challenging issues while rebuilding trust in the humanitarian sector. 

Click here to register.
Internship Opportunities
International Summer Program on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Policy
Application Deadline: 31 October 2022

With a central focus on human rights, this intensive immersion program provides an overview and analysis of the major questions in Indigenous affairs today, as they have emerged globally in the last decades. The program is complemented by visits to the United Nations and to a Native American Nation, discussions with United Nations officials, officials of a Native American Nation and other relevant parties. It will be held be in person for two weeks, from approximately end of May to June, 2023. Otherwise, the program will be held remotely for three weeks, from 22 May to 9 June, 2023.

More Information

Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon - Political Affairs Intern
Application Deadline: 27 October 2022
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Language:  English and Arabic

This internship is positioned in the Political Unit, Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, located in Beirut (Yarze), Lebanon. The intern reports directly to the Chief, Political Unit and liaises closely with members of UNSCOL's Political and other substantive units.

The preferred duration for this internship is four months. Flexible working arrangements can be agreed with the receiving office. The intern is required to work the equivalent of a minimum of at least two months on a full-time basis in order to receive recognition of service as an intern. An internship under such arrangements must be completed within a six-month period.

Apply Here

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs - Economic Affairs Intern
Application Deadline: 29 October 2022
Location: New York, NY
Language: English

This internship position is situated in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) / Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development (OISC) / Office of the Director (OD).
The internship is for two (2) months to start as soon as possible, with an opportunity for extension up to a maximum of six (6) months, pending on the needs of the Office.

The internship is UNPAID and full time.

The location for this internship is at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, however, upon agreement, and in accordance with the needs of the Office, interns may work fully remotely/home-based.
Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the work unit to which they are assigned.

Apply Here

UNCTAD Internship in the Regional Advisory Programme
Application Deadline: 30 October 2022
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Language: English

This profile is for the sole purpose of the Internship Programme of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development in Geneva. There should be no expectation of employment within the UN after an internship. UN Internships are unpaid and full-time, i.e. an intern is expected to work five days per week, eight hours a day. The working hours will be determined, if selected for the position, during the interview process.

This internship position is offered under the remote modality of teleworking. To work remotely, the applicant shall have full access to a computer with a modern browser in which to run the latest version of Office 365 applications that will allow him/her to perform the tasks within the scope of the internship. The computer must have basic IT security best practices implemented. At a minimum, the applicant should have:

  • Installed in his/her computer the latest version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, software and security updates as soon as they are issued.

  • Enabled the built-in software firewall that comes with the operating software of the computer.

  • Be able to use the password manager enabling the creation of strong passwords and to secure access to all UNCTAD/UN/related resources.

The internship position is located in the Regional Advisory Programme, Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes. The internship will tentatively start on 1 November 2022 for an initial period of two months.

Apply Here

Political Affairs Intern at DPPA's Innovation Cell
Application Deadline: 1 November 2022
Location: New York
Language: English

In January 2020, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs launched the Innovation Cell, an interdisciplinary team dedicated to helping the Department and its field presences to understand and explore, pilot, and scale new technologies, approaches, and practices in conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding. 

The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) internship is for a period of three months with the opportunity to extend up to six months, depending on the needs and requirements of the Department. The positions will be located in the Innovation Cell of the DPPA’s Policy and Mediation Division.

The Innovation Cell intends to recruit two interns. Depending on the pandemic, the internship can be in-person or remote. The internships do not carry any payment or retribution expectation. Interns work remotely five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member.

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the nature of specific projects, and the internship duration. Duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Conduct research in innovation areas of interest to the Division, such as innovation for conflict analysis, peacemaking and peacebuilding • Assistance in project-specific outputs, such as communication outreach, videos and audio.
  • Attending and summarizing conferences and meetings
  • Assistance with logistics during conferences, meetings, and interactive presentations
  • Preparation of briefing materials, analytical documents, and talking points for managers and senior officials
  • Support all stages of projects, from brainstorming and project planning to project evaluation and post-project communication efforts
  • Support the recruitment of and coordination with consultants and external partners

Apply Here

UNCTAD Internship in the Regional Advisory Programme
Application Deadline: 30 October 2022
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Language: English

This profile is for the sole purpose of the Internship Programme of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development in Geneva. There should be no expectation of employment within the UN after an internship. UN Internships are unpaid and full-time, i.e. an intern is expected to work five days per week, eight hours a day. The working hours will be determined, if selected for the position, during the interview process.

This internship position is offered under the remote modality of teleworking. To work remotely, the applicant shall have full access to a computer with a modern browser in which to run the latest version of Office 365 applications that will allow him/her to perform the tasks within the scope of the internship. The computer must have basic IT security best practices implemented. At a minimum, the applicant should have:

  • Installed in his/her computer the latest version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, software and security updates as soon as they are issued.

  • Enabled the built-in software firewall that comes with the operating software of the computer.

  • Be able to use the password manager enabling the creation of strong passwords and to secure access to all UNCTAD/UN/related resources.

The internship position is located in the Regional Advisory Programme, Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes. The internship will tentatively start on 1 November 2022 for an initial period of two months.

Apply Here

UNCTAD Internship in the Regional Advisory Programme
Application Deadline: 30 October 2022
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Language: English

This profile is for the sole purpose of the Internship Programme of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development in Geneva. There should be no expectation of employment within the UN after an internship. UN Internships are unpaid and full-time, i.e. an intern is expected to work five days per week, eight hours a day. The working hours will be determined, if selected for the position, during the interview process.

This internship position is offered under the remote modality of teleworking. To work remotely, the applicant shall have full access to a computer with a modern browser in which to run the latest version of Office 365 applications that will allow him/her to perform the tasks within the scope of the internship. The computer must have basic IT security best practices implemented. At a minimum, the applicant should have:

  • Installed in his/her computer the latest version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, software and security updates as soon as they are issued.

  • Enabled the built-in software firewall that comes with the operating software of the computer.

  • Be able to use the password manager enabling the creation of strong passwords and to secure access to all UNCTAD/UN/related resources.

The internship position is located in the Regional Advisory Programme, Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes. The internship will tentatively start on 1 November 2022 for an initial period of two months.

Apply Here

UNCTAD Internship in the Regional Advisory Programme
Application Deadline: 30 October 2022
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Language: English

This profile is for the sole purpose of the Internship Programme of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development in Geneva. There should be no expectation of employment within the UN after an internship. UN Internships are unpaid and full-time, i.e. an intern is expected to work five days per week, eight hours a day. The working hours will be determined, if selected for the position, during the interview process.

This internship position is offered under the remote modality of teleworking. To work remotely, the applicant shall have full access to a computer with a modern browser in which to run the latest version of Office 365 applications that will allow him/her to perform the tasks within the scope of the internship. The computer must have basic IT security best practices implemented. At a minimum, the applicant should have:

  • Installed in his/her computer the latest version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, software and security updates as soon as they are issued.

  • Enabled the built-in software firewall that comes with the operating software of the computer.

  • Be able to use the password manager enabling the creation of strong passwords and to secure access to all UNCTAD/UN/related resources.

The internship position is located in the Regional Advisory Programme, Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes. The internship will tentatively start on 1 November 2022 for an initial period of two months.

Apply Here

UNCTAD Internship in the Regional Advisory Programme
Application Deadline: 30 October 2022
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Language: English

This profile is for the sole purpose of the Internship Programme of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development in Geneva. There should be no expectation of employment within the UN after an internship. UN Internships are unpaid and full-time, i.e. an intern is expected to work five days per week, eight hours a day. The working hours will be determined, if selected for the position, during the interview process.

This internship position is offered under the remote modality of teleworking. To work remotely, the applicant shall have full access to a computer with a modern browser in which to run the latest version of Office 365 applications that will allow him/her to perform the tasks within the scope of the internship. The computer must have basic IT security best practices implemented. At a minimum, the applicant should have:

  • Installed in his/her computer the latest version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, software and security updates as soon as they are issued.

  • Enabled the built-in software firewall that comes with the operating software of the computer.

  • Be able to use the password manager enabling the creation of strong passwords and to secure access to all UNCTAD/UN/related resources.

The internship position is located in the Regional Advisory Programme, Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes. The internship will tentatively start on 1 November 2022 for an initial period of two months.

Apply Here

Executive Office of the Secretary-General - Interns
Application Deadline: 11 April 2023

The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) is seeking  motivated interns to support the work of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. The interns can take up assignments with any team in the Office, including the Strategic Planning and Monitoring Unit; the Political, Peacekeeping, Humanitarian and Human Rights Unit; the Rule of Law Unit; the Sustainable Development Unit; the Policy Advisor’s Office; or other units.

Interns report to full-time professional staff and focus on one of the three tracks set out under Responsibilities.

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.

Asha Jhanay Richards, Program Assistant, ajr2264@columbia.edu
Aurelian D. Mohan, Program Assistant, aurelian.d.mohan@columbia.edu