I am also incredibly grateful to Laura Dankowski Mercado, our specialization coordinator, who is indispensible for all of the work of the IO/UNS specialization, from events to blog publications to student requests on Stellic and everything in between.

This recap of IO/UNS activities from the last academic year is by no means short, but I rejoice in thinking about our contribution to SIPA's vibrant community and to our work to engage with the important debates on today's key global challenges. I thank all of you for being part of the IO/UNS community, and I look forward to forging new intellectual adventures in new academic. 

Daniel Naujoks
Director, International Organization & UN Studies Specialization 
School of International and Public Affairs  | Columbia University 

On November 13, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Gillian Triggs gave a talk on Mobilizing Action towards the Global Compact on Refugees. Triggs highlighted new developments in refugee protection and mobility, highlighting the Global Compact on Refugees. She stressed the role of multi-stakeholder partnerships and state/non-state pledges to improve opportunities, as well as humanitarian and development cooperation like the World Bank's entrepreneurship support in Kenya's Kakuma refugee camps. Triggs highlighted the upcoming Global Refugee Forum as an important opportunity to expand commitments, though acknowledging UNHCR's limitations. The panel consisted of Professor Kian Tajbakhsh, Senior Advisor for the Committee on Forced Migration, Shabnam Fayyaz, Employment Coordinator at the International Rescue Committee's Refugee Resettlement Program, and former Columbia Displaced Student Scholar and Professor Daniel Naujoks, Director of SIPA IO/UN studies. If you missed the discussion, you can watch the event recording here.

On December 5, H. E. Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly joined us for a talk on Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity. In a discussion with IO/UNS director, Professor Daniel Naujoks, Francis emphasized the lack of public trust in the UN but clarified governments still trust the UN, despite mistrust among member states reshaping geopolitics. He stressed the rising importance of "prestige as power" with new Asian and Latin American powers and described the global environment as challenging but said compromise in negotiations is key. Informal diplomat discussions can build relationships and trust. Francis acknowledged UN damage from failures like Ukraine and Gaza but said the General Assembly focuses on human rights, women, climate change, and development, not just security. Despite critiques of the UN as a "talk shop," President Francis said, "While you are talking, you are not on the battlefield." He highlighted the wealth gap's unsustainability and urged collective equal treatment for stability. 

After the main public talk, Francis met with 25 select students in a small group setting. In the intimate meeting, he advised on misinformation, empowerment, women, and the Caribbean's role. Participants left reinvigorated in the UN's ability to bring peace and prosperity.  You can watch the recording here.

On February 12, Wook-Jin Chang, Chief of the NGO Branch at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and Maithili Pai, UN Advocate at International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) shared their insights into how NGOs access UN processes, what determines their impact, and what barriers continue to exist that hamper their influence. SIPA Professor Daniel Naujoks, who moderated the event, referred to UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s ideas for 'networked multilateralism' that links global institutions across sectors and geographies, including civil society, businesses, foundations, academic and scientific institutions. The panel provided insights into the steep increase of NGOs that are accredited with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the significant regional imbalance and the increasing politicization of the accreditation process.

On April 15, IO/UNS, the SIPA Cyber Program, and the Digital and Cyber Group hosted a talk on the Evolution of Cybersecurity for the United Nations System. Dr. Thomas Braun, who until January 2024, served as the chief of the UN Cybersecurity Service, traced the evolution of cybersecurity threats faced by the UN System over the last decades. In conversation with SIPA Professor Beth Cartier and drawing on his experience establishing and overseeing the UN’s enterprise architecture program, chairing the UN system-wide information security special interest group, and in his previous capacity as the inaugural information security officer of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Braun shared how the UN's institutional awareness, understanding and response has progressed and how the organization has adjusted in terms of policies as well as technical and administrative risk mitigation measures.

On March 5, Under-Secretary-General Christian Saunders, who serves as the UN Special Coordinator to Prevent Sexual Exploitation and Abuse gave a talk on "The UN’s Work on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse." Saunders provided a comprehensive overview of the United Nations' efforts in combatting sexual exploitation, shedding light on the multifaceted strategies employed in tackling this pressing issue. Saunders underscored the significance of sustained engagement in addressing sexual exploitation, emphasizing the need for proactive measures. Addressing the ongoing challenges that hinder effective prevention and response efforts, including persistent issues with underreporting, inadequate support systems for victims, and the prevalence of impunity among perpetrators, Saunders sought to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding sexual exploitation and abuse within the UN framework, while advocating for concrete steps to address these systemic issues.

This academic year, IO/UNS was proud to partner with other programs to bring speakers and opportunities to our community. This included talks by:

• Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, former Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and current UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia and on Afghanistan and the Taliban Takeover: A View From the Ground on How the UN Adapted its Approach (with the Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy concentration (HRHP))

• Charles Petrie, the former Assistant Secretary-General to the UN on The Limits of Humanitarian Assistance in Contested Regimes (with HRHP)

The IO/UNS Specialization is strongly dedicated to create professional development and networking opportunities for all SIPA students.

During our annual flagship event, the 5th International Organizations & United Nations Roundtable Conversations, 17 experts from a range of international organizations such as UNDP, OHCHR, UNHCR, World Bank, IFAD and many others, met with 135 students to speak about their experience in the UN and share advice and insights about their careers. This event provided students a platform to get first-hand information, network and ask questions in small group discussions. The topics ranged from peace and security, to climate change, to energy, migration, and economic development, to advice for women in the field. After the roundtable conversations, the reception provided an opportunity for 180 students, SIPA faculty, and experts to mingle in a more informal setting. In fact, this year we had the biggest turn-out yet with more than 200 attendees over the 3.5 hour event. 

SIPA students had many opportunities to engage directly with the United Nations and other organizations. 

On February 16, students joined the Global Engagement Summit 2024, the largest annual gathering of UN supporters in the country, bringing together U.S. and UN officials, community leaders, young professionals, and subject matter experts from across the country to delve into the mission and lifesaving work of the United Nations.

On January 28, students were invited to the Youth Strategy Meeting for UN Processes. This was an in-person Strategy and Planning Session for young people based in New York to communicate views of young people from different parts of the world given the barriers that UN processes often have for designated funding for youth participation. 

On October 24, a group of 20 SIPA students headed to UN Women headquarters for a discussion with Michele Bachelet (former UN Women Executive Director, High Commissioners for Human Rights and currently Carnegie Fellow at IGP) and Sima Bahous, UN Women Executive Director, followed by a lunch with several UN Women directors. 

Several Seeples joined the UN Democracy Fund by special invitation for an event for the International Day of Democracy on 15 September at the UN Headquarters. The event focused on the role of youth in protecting and promoting civic space and recognize their leadership in moving climate action forward.

On May 29, SIPA students preparing for summer internships at international organizations, joined IO/UNS director, Professor Daniel Naujoks for an IO internship preparation workshop that focussed on students' key goals and touch on what skills should interns can aim at building and how to use internships as a platform for robust networking. 

Throughout the year, we hosted several social events to encourage networking and community building among specializers. Our social events brought together more than 450 students in 2023-24 and gave us an opportunity to connect with each other.

On May 3rd, students from IO/UNS convened for an end of year celebration, in partnership with United Nations Association at Riverside Park. It served as a moment for reflection on the year's events at Columbia University, as well as a commemoration of everyone's academic accomplishments. The highlight was our annual IO/UNS Award ceremony; congratulations to our winners who will go on to do great things! Students also had an opportunity to socialise and enjoy some refreshments before going back to studying. 

On September 16, 30 students attended the annual IO/UNS Fall Retreat at Columbia's nature-surrounded Lamont Campus for insightful discussions and activities. After an icebreaker, students met in small groups with experts like UN Women's Gülden Türköz-Cosslett who discussed sustainable development and her work in Afghanistan, UN Women's Louise Nylin who delved into political analysis and the UN's future challenges, and UN Africa's Ben Idrissa Ouedraogo who addressed Africa's development and the UN's climate and energy engagement. Students also shared their vision for an "ideal IO/UNS program" with Director Daniel Naujoks. One student remarked the experts "offered amazing insight into their roles" while another emphasized "hearing from people working to make a difference." After lunch, students hiked in the campus's beautiful forest and got creative by rewriting song lyrics to "Señorita" by Camilla Cabello and Shawn Mendes and "Smells like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana to songs about multilateralism, with entertaining performances that rallied the group together. The retreat wrapped up with a closing reception with drinks, music, and bonding.

On October 24, the SIPA community came together to celebrate United Nations Day, marking the 78th year since the entry into force in 1945 of the UN charter. This was an opportunity for students to mingle, learn, and talk about the purpose of the United Nations. Students discussed their favorite SDGs, took photos in the photo booth, played games, and enjoyed refreshments. Congratulations to the winners of the raffle and those who did the quiz – and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

Each week during the semester, we shared with you the International Organizations and UN News newsletter. Each edition highlighted key news from IOs, such as new reports, statements, appointments, and conferences. Our newsletters shed light on some of our amazing students in our weekly student spotlights, shared UN-related podcasts and events, and flagged exciting internship opportunities. Through our newsletters, we also disseminate resource documents, such as our tips and tricks for Sourcing Internships. Thank you for reading and engaging with our content every week!

To foster a better understanding of the various ways in which multilateral organizations and processes work toward goals of sustainable development, peace, human rights, and equity, on UN Day 2021 – we launched Multilateralism in Action (MiA). Our cutting-edge think pieces published by leading UN and global governance scholars and practitioners provide insights into the determinants, modalities, and outcomes of multilateralism at the global, regional, national, and local levels. 

This academic year, we were thrilled to publish nine new thought-provoking think-pieces on key issues. Below are a selection of the most recent. You can find a full list of think-pieces here.

• In Who is Behind the Expansion of UN Peacekeeping Mandates, Kseniya Oksamytna, Senior Lecturer at City, University of London explains why UN peacekeeping mandates have expanded so significantly in scope over the last 35 years.

• In Multilateral Cooperation: Are Global Challenges Outpacing Global Unity? Pathways to Reignite Solidarity towards 2030, Dennis Francis President of the United Nations General Assembly for its 78th session, highlights how we can fortify the foundations for trust and solidarity that will bring us to a safer, more just, and more prosperous world.

• In How Funding Sidelined Multilateralism at the United Nations: Then, Now, and Possible Futures, Erin R. Graham, Associate Professor of Global Affairs at the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame explains how UN funding rules and practices evolved to reach the current condition of heavy reliance on earmarked funding. 

• In A new multilateralism for an old problem: Five ways in which the Global Refugee Forum brings a fresh way of responding to refugee situations, Ruven Menikdiwela, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, shares her reflections on the Global Refugee Forum that took place in December 2023.

• In their think-piece When Evidence Meets Power: Uncovering the Politics of Evaluation in the United Nations, professors Vytautas Jankauskas and Steffen Eckhard delve into the intricacies of the evaluation processes within international organizations.

Since we started the specialization’s Twitter (now X) account @UNatColumbia in September 2019, we have not only witnessed an impressive growth of our followers, but importantly, meaningful engagements with students, faculty, UN staff members, and the general audience. Through the interactions with more than 2,600 followers, we hope to stimulate discussions on the role of multilateralism in order to address the critical challenges of present times and to highlight the work done at Columbia on these issues to international organizations and other interested audiences. If you are still not following us, please do at: @UNatColumbia.

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