IO/UNS Newsletter [11/3]

Dear IO/UNS Community, 

We hope you had a fun Halloween and restful long weekend. 

Last week, the IO/UNS specialization hosted a guest lecture with Paul Ladd, UN Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), on the forthcoming UNRISD flagship report Overcoming Inequalities in Times of Crisis. The link to the recording of the event can be accessed here, and the report referenced throughout the presentation can be found here.

This week also marks the start of the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) that takes place from 31 October to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, under the presidency of the UK. The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change by working with all countries and joining forces with civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action ahead of COP26. In this newsletter's event section, we provide information on how to follow along on the conversation and attend side-events organized on the margins of COP26.

We are also excited to share that a new think-piece is live on our new blog Multialteralism in Action. You can read Haoliang Xu (MIA '94)'s piece on “Reimagining Development Futures: What we can learn from UNDP’s Integrated and Systems-Driven Approaches” here.

In this newsletter, you will find: 

• What We’re Listening To
• IO/UNS Student Spotlight
• Check out the new MiA think piece on Development Futures
• Make your opinion count in our IO/UNS survey that closes on Friday, November 5th
• UNRISD Event Recap
• UN YPP Update: Exam Topic Released & SIPA Study Group
• Events at SIPA and Beyond
• Internship Opportunities

Daniel, Nate & Yun
IO/UNS Specialization Team

A new think-piece on our new blog Multilateralism in Action just went live! 

In “Reimagining Development Futures: What we can learn from UNDP’s Integrated and Systems-Driven Approaches” Haoliang Xu (MIA '94), who serves as UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, argues that the only way we can reverse growing poverty and inequality in the face of COVID-19 is through an integrated approach that engages across both stakeholders and Sustainable Development Goals alike. While global cooperation has become more pertinent than ever, Xu argues, we also must “address systemic origins of risks”. Read Mr. Xu’s article here and learn more about the ways in which UNDP is implementing an integrated analysis in pursuit of sustainable development gains. 

Please join our new blog mailing list, share this news with your networks and engage with our the new post annoucement on Twitter.

Make your opinion count by this Friday, Nov 5!

We are asking all members of the SIPA community interested in careers in, or adjacent to, International Organizations:

• Imagining the "ideal" international organizations study program, what skills, knowledge,course and course formats you think would be important?
• We would also like to pick your brain about the possibility of substantive courses on international affairs in a foreign language and we'd be grateful if you could share your ideas and preferences with us. 

Please fill out our short survey by Friday, November 5th, here.

Event Recap: Paul Ladd, Director of the UN Research Institute for Social Development

Last Tuesday, Paul Ladd, Director of the UN Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), gave a guest lecture on the forthcoming UNRISD flagship report "Overcoming Inequalities in Times of Crises: Towards a New Eco-Social Contract." The speaker discussed the four areas of UNRISD’s research programs on 1) Transformative Social Policy, 2) Gender Justice and Development, 3) Alternative Economies of Transformation, and 4) Environmental Climate Justice. In a conversation moderated by Professor Daniel Naujoks, the speaker broke down inequality into three interlinked and reinforcing forms - economic, social and political - and analyze their causes, dynamics and impacts. Based on the UNRISD’s research, the age of neoliberal globalization, and related policy choices, are at the root of the present challenges, having prepared the way for the current model of unsustainable hyper-globalization which creates an inescapable gravity towards inequality and crises.

The link to the recording of the event can be accessed here, and the report referenced by the speaker can be found here.

IO/UNS Event Tuesday, November 9th, 1:00pm-2:00pm
UNCTAD at the Crossroads: New Directions for the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development
In-person and Online

IO/UNS Event Monday, November 22, 1:00pm-2:00pm
Incredible Commitments. How UN Peacekeeping Failures Shape Peace Processes
In-person and Online

The United Nations Climate Change Conference has brought nations together for almost three decades to discuss global climate issues. Formally the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the 26th summit (COP26) will begin later this week in Glasgow, Scotland, and run from October 31st to November 12th.
The run-up to this year’s conference, originally scheduled for 2020, is especially tense due to the delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As countries update their plans to reduce global emissions, the threat of the world’s temperature rising 1.5 degrees looms closer than ever. Because of this, many agree that COP26 has a unique sense of urgency.

All COP26 events can be viewed virtually by subscribing to the COP26 YouTube channel. A list of events, located on the COP26 webpage, includes a link to each live stream that will be freely available. Additionally, there will be hundreds of side events geared towards propelling COP26 discussions further, while engaging communities, businesses, and world leaders alike.

The European Union, like in previous years, provides a space for side events to the 2021 UN climate change conference (COP26). The EU and its Member States will take part as Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), seeking to stimulate the debate on key thematic areas, facilitating dialogue with Party delegates and other participants, as well as launching new initiatives and partnerships and showcasing inspiring and successful projects or policies.
 
This year, the EU Pavilion programme will include physical side events in Glasgow, a studio in Brussels, as well as digital side events which can be accessed through an online platform to reach out to broader audiences around the globe and allow enhanced virtual participation.
 
For the programme, click here. To register click here.

Those interested in the legal and policy side of climate action should be sure not to miss Climate Law and Governance Day, which is hosted by the Climate Law and Governance Initiative (CLGI) and builds on a series of events hosted by CLGI partners, including the University of Cambridge. It aims to provide "an important platform for the global climate law and governance community to meet, share ideas, and collaborate to confront climate change."

Four key themes have been drawn from the COP26 vision established by the United Kingdom, including the Paris Agreement, advancing climate resilience and justice, and climate-neutral investment and finance. Each of these four areas of focus will be led by a CLGI Chair. 

For more information and to register click here.

The World Climate Summit is an annual two-day cross-sectoral collaboration that focuses on solutions and opportunities for investing in clean energy. The World Climate Summit will take place in Glasgow for COP26 and is organized by the World Climate Foundation. The summit is recognized as one of the most important official side events of COP26. The World Climate Summit will feature speakers including Jennifer Lenhart, Global Lead for Cities within the WWF, Rodolfo Lacy, Director of the Environment Directorate at OECD, Dyan Crowther, CEO of HS1 and many more.

For more information and to register click here.

The Climate Action Innovation Zone is a collaborative event aimed at advancing COP26 discussions. This event is organized by Climate Action in joint partnership with Scottish Enterprise. This four-day event will focus on the power that public-private partnerships have in addressing climate change while placing “innovation and investment at the heart of COP26” in order to create a sustainable, just, and accelerated pathway towards net-zero.
This event is separated into three summits, each of which raises different questions about technology, innovation, science, and business within climate action. The first summit, the Sustainable Innovation Forum, will take place from November 8th - 10th, while the second and third summits, the Hydrogen Transition Summit and the Agri-Food Transition Summit, will both take place on the Zone’s final day.

For more information and to register click here.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

The United Nations Department of Operational Support, Office of Supply Chain Management (DOS/OSCM) is responsible for implementing an ‘end-to-end’ integrated Supply Chain Management in support of the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Operational Support (DPO/DOS) missions as well as Special Political Missions (SPMs). UNOPS has been requested to assist in the implementation of this activity for DOS/OSCM.

Since January 2017, a project team, known as the DOS Umoja Coordination Office, is responsible for deploying multiple project streams to peacekeeping and special political missions. The project team is looking for additional support for one of the initiatives, the Learning Framework project.

To apply, please visit the job posting here.

The position is located in the Africa Section of the Communications Campaigns Service in the Strategic Communications Division, and is for a period of three (3) months with an opportunity for extension for an additional three (3) months depending on the needs of the department.

Through its Africa Renewal platforms, the Section is focused on providing solutions-oriented content about Africa, taking advantage of the continent's evolving digital communications landscape for maximum reach, in line with the UN's global communications strategy. We also disseminate Africa and UN-related content for publication at no cost to hundreds of media outlets around the world.

We provide external communications support to our designated clients, namely the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA), the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and collaborate with other UN and external entities to advance a factual, balanced and non-stereotypical narrative of Africa.

The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the office to which they are assigned.

Due to COVID-19 and travel restrictions the internship may be conducted remotely.
 

To apply, please visit the job posting here.

The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) is seeking for qualified interns for a maximum internship of 6 months, depending on the needs of UNODA and the willingness of applicant.

UNODA advises and assists the Secretary-General in the discharge of his responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations and the implements mandates given by the General Assembly, the Security Council and other organs of the United Nations system, in the area of disarmament and related security. For more information, please refer to: https:www.un.org/disarmament.

The internship is unpaid and full-time opportunity. Interns will be assigned to a primary supervisor and must adhere to the established official working hours five days per week with one hour for lunch break.

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background; the intern’s assigned Branch within UNODA as well as the internship period. Interns shall undertake the following duties which may include, but are not limited to:

• Assistance in drafting and preparing official documents, summaries, talking points, speeches, remarks and web content.
• Document, media and internet research.
• Assistance during conferences and meetings.

To apply, please visit the job posting here.

This internship position is located in the Budget, Financial Management and Reporting Section of United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) within the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) in New York.

Established in 1997, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) works to eliminate the threat posed by mines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices by coordinating United Nations mine action, leading operational responses at the country level, and supporting the development of standards, policies and norms.

As a specialized service of the United Nations located within the Department of Peace Operations, UNMAS operates under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council. UNMAS also responds to specific requests for support from the UN Secretary-General or designated official.

For more information on UNMAS please visit www.mineaction.org/unmas.
 

To apply, please visit the job posting here.

The United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat (UNFFS), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) is accepting applications for internships.
The UNFFS provides leadership in promoting the implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests (UNSPF) and the achievement of its Global Forest Goals, and the effective implementation of the UN Forest Instrument. It provides substantive secretariat support to the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), which is composed of all Member States of the United Nations and specialized agencies.

In 2015, the UNFF established the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network under the UNFFS to facilitate access to and effective use of funding for forests, sharing data and best practices on forest financing and contributing to the achievement of the Global Forest Goals of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2030. More information on the UNFFS and the GFFFN can be found at www.un.org/esa/forests.

The prospective intern should have a background in economics, environmental issues, data science, or computer science-related areas. Experience or knowledge of IT-related work is desirable. The internship is for three months, with an opportunity for extension up to a maximum of six (6) months, depending on the needs of the Office.

To apply, please visit the job posting here.

Follow the IO/UNS Specialization on
CampusGroups, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp.

Feel free to reach out to us:
Daniel Naujoks, Interim Director, daniel.naujoks@columbia.edu
To book office hours, click here.

Yun Liang, Program Assistant, yun.liang@columbia.edu
Nate Edwards, Program Assistant, nke2113@columbia.edu