Dear IO/UNS Community 

Last week, we lost Prof. Edward C. Luck to his battle with cancer. We mourn his death and are deeply saddened by this intellectual and personal loss to our community. We want to take a moment to recognize Prof. Luck's contribution to SIPA and the UN as a part of this newsletter this week. 

We'd also like to thank you for attending our Virtual Workshop on Using Twitter as a Networking Tool for International Affairs on Thursday. We truly hope you enjoyed the session as much as our speakers and were able to learn new insights on using Twitter as an effective tool for networking. 

On Saturday, 20th February 2021, the United Nations celebrated World Day of Social Justice. This year's theme was centered around social justice in the digital economy and aims at fostering dialogue with member States and relevant UN institutions and other stakeholders on actions needed to overcome the digital divide, provide decent work opportunities,and protect labour and human rights in the modern era of digital technologies. 

This week, we're bringing you a lot interesting events, information on past events, some engaging interviews and spotlights, and exciting internship opportunities. We'd request you to watch out for the 'clipped message' notice so you don't miss out on any information. 

Looking ahead we have a number of exciting events to join! For more information on each see our "Events at SIPA & Beyond" section.

• TODAY: A talk with Dr. Jürgen Zattler, Director-General for International Development Policy; 2030 Agenda and Climate at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, to understand and question how to Build Back Better post the pandemic and how to use the rupture of the pandemic to create more equitable, effective, and environmentally-sound systems to "recover forward"?
• TODAY: A conversation with Bill Gates on his book, "How to Avoid a Climate Disaster," sets out a wide-ranging, practical - and accessible - plan for how the world can get to zero greenhouse gas emissions in time to avoid a climate catastrophe. 
• Thursday, 25th February: The Institute for Comparative Literature and Society at Columbia University is hosting the Ambedkar Lecture Series on "Understanding Systemic Racism: Art and Politics". The event will explore the role of the radical writer in navigating through racism, featuring Meena Kandasamy (writer and activist) as the speaker. 

We hope you get the most out of these events and internships and are excited to see you at our event in a few hours! 
 
Best,
Daniel, Sanya & Vato

We are proud of the critical views and relevant experiences of our IO/UNS specializers. To give each other a platform and a better appreciation of our goals and ideas, we are looking for volunteers to shed a spotlight on in our weekly newsletter communications and post on our Twitter account (@UNatColumbia). We know that each of you has something to offer. Don't be shy and please fill out our questionnaire here - we'd love to shine a light on you!

Events at SIPA & Beyond

TODAY Tuesday, February 23. 1:00PM - 2:00PM
Building Back Better: Opportunities for the World Bank and International Cooperation
Online via Zoom

The global pandemic has reversed decades of progress on poverty, healthcare and education and the knock-on effects are most devastating for the most vulnerable. The scale of the effects has prompted wide-ranging discussions on how to rebuild economies, education, health, and social protection systems the world over. Each crisis also provides an opportunity and the global development community is thus faced with the question: How to build back better? How to use the rupture of the pandemic to create more equitable, effective, and environmentally-sound systems and thus "recover forward"?

The Talk with Dr. Jürgen Zattler, Director-General for International Development Policy; 2030 Agenda and Climate at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, will share insight into opportunities for the World Bank and other multilateral organizations. Until 2020, Dr. Zattler represented Germany as Executive Director for the World Bank and his talk will equally shed light on the political processes at the World Bank to steer and influence the institution's consequential activities. The talk is moderated by Daniel Naujoks, director a.i., International Organization and UN Studies, SIPA

For more information and to register click here.

TODAY Tuesday, February 23. 2:30PM - 3:30PM
A Conversation with Bill Gates: How to Avoid a Climate Disaster? 
Online via Zoom

In this urgent, authoritative book, "How to Avoid a Climate Disaster," Bill Gates sets out a wide-ranging, practical - and accessible - plan for how the world can get to zero greenhouse gas emissions in time to avoid a climate catastrophe. Join the conversation about his new book, what he's learned about this complex and far-reaching challenge, and why he remains hopeful that we can overcome climate change. Jason Bordoff, Founding Director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA, will moderate the discussion.
Please note: Capacity for this event is limited and only current Columbia University students, staff, and faculty will be approved to attend this session. To register, you must use the email address that contains your UNI. 
To know more and register, click here. 

TOMORROW Wednesday, February 24. 7:00PM - 8:00PM
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Briefing
Online via Zoom

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a leading international development finance institution dedicated to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific. To meet evolving business needs, ADB's HR is always on the lookout for dynamic talent to deliver our work and address Strategy 2030's priority areas. The event is hosted by Harvard Kennedy School Office of Career Advancement and a team of ADB recruiters and North American Representative Office will showcase its diverse development work in the region, the types of expertise ADB offers, and the Internship and Young Professionals Programs. Please check to see if you are a citizen of a member country to be eligible here. Registration for the event is mandatory. To know more and to register, click here.

TOMORROW Wednesday, February 24. 1:00PM - 2:00PM
COVID-19 in Asia: Diverse Effects, Responses and Prospects for Recovery 
Online via Zoom

The pandemic that swept the world since early 2020 has triggered various level of response from different countries in Asia. While some countries in the region has been hailed as exemplary, others became cautionary tales. The event, hosted by the Economic and Political Development Concentration, invites panelists, Qin Gao – Professor of Social Policy and Social Work, Director of China Center on Social Policy, Columbia, Jayati Ghosh – Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Duncan McCargo – Director, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, Professor of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, to discuss the varying effects, response, and outcome of the pandemic in this very diverse region. The discusison will be moderated by Jose Antonio Ocampo, Co-director of the Economic and Political Development Concentration, Professor of Professional Practice in International and Public Affairs, Columbia SIPA.

To know more and to register click here.

Thursday, February 25. 10:00AM - 11:45AM
Understanding Systemic Racism: The Role of the Radical Writer
Online via Zoom

The Institute for Comparative Literature and Society at Columbia University presents as part of the Ambedkar Initiative, the Spring 2021 web series: "Understanding Systemic Racism: Art and Politics". The event will explore the role of the radical writer in navigating through racism. The event features Meena Kandasamy (writer and activist) as the speaker and will be moderated by Dhanya Addanki (writer and archivist). The Ambedkar lecture series is co-sponsored by the Office of EVP of Arts and Sciences; Barnard Provost’s Office; Office of the Deans of Humanities and Social Sciences; IRAAS; AAADS; IRCPL; MESAAS; CSER; Columbia Committee on Global Thought; CU Libraries; and CU Press
To know more visit here and to register for the event click here.

Friday, February 26. 12:00PM onward

2021 Niejelow Rodin Global Digital Futures Policy Forum: Saving Cyberspace - Pragmatic Solutions to Operational Collaboration 

Online via Zoom

Operational collaboration is a key component for public- and private-sector defenders to build resilience and readiness to defend the nation by responding to systemic cyberattacks like the 2020 Solar Winds hack. Over the past year, SIPA’s New York Cyber Task Force (NYCTF) has developed options for pragmatic approaches to operational collaboration through workshops exploring four plausible scenarios of escalating attacks, including domestic unrest. The findings from these workshops have been distilled and compiled in a comprehensive report to be launched at this event. Members of the NYCTF will be on hand to discuss the report’s key findings, the scenarios the report was based on, and how the report can inform the Biden administration’s new direction and emphasis on preventing cyberattacks.

To know more and to register, click here.
 

Internship Opportunties

Internship - Global Volunteer Internship with Generation Unlimited (GEN U) Two (2) months

Term: Spring 2021
Location: New York, NY HQ; Unpaid
Deadline: FRIDAY, February 26

This is an opportunity to build on UNICEF's cause and support for funds to go to another level of engagement with a committed group of volunteer supporters. The aim is to build a UNICEF membership cadre of millions who champion the change needed through their individual and collective commitment. A volunteer force would vastly extend UNICEF’s reach and help broaden and transform UNICEF itself. Volunteering enables young people to envision and reclaim their place in society. There's a multiplying force of volunteerism: as young volunteers build self-awareness, self-esteem and confidence, they enact change in their communities and impart skills to others while acquiring skills themselves. Learning by doing, volunteers become proficient in communication, problem-solving, organizing, and planning and benefit from a stronger start to their employment journeys. By mobilising young people to volunteer, UNICEF works to expand their reach, access, and trust with communities, strengthen the ability to deliver on programme and advocacy goals, and provide young people with empowering and upskilling experiences— moving closer to a world in which young people are changemakers shaping more just and equitable outcomes

To know more and to apply, click here. 

International Rescue Committee - Consultant Housing Evaluation

Term: Spring 2021
Location: New York, NY HQ; Paid

The International Rescue Committee’s Resettlement, Asylum and Integration Department is responsible for providing early resettlement services to newly arrived refugees and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders. According to guidance from the Department of State, Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), all refugees and SIV holders must receive permanent housing upon their arrival in the US. Their family size can range from three to 12. In addition, this housing must meet national, state and /or local guidance for occupancy as well as safety and state of repair. IRC offices in 23 US cities operate PRM’s Reception and Placement Program. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, affordable rentals were in increasingly in short supply. As the IRC prepares to receive more arrivals in FY 2021 – 22, the organization must conduct a careful assessment of the current housing market in the cities where IRC works.

To apply, please visit the job posting here.
 

International Rescue Committee - Research Associate Intern

Term: Spring 2021
Location: New York, NY HQ; Paid

The IRC’s Resettlement, Asylum, & Integration (RAI) department works to create opportunities for refugees and other vulnerable migrants to survive and thrive in the U.S. and Europe through a diverse portfolio of programs aimed at five core outcomes: Health, Safety, Economic Wellbeing, Education and Power. As part of its strategy, the IRC is focused on becoming an outcomes-driven, evidence-based organization with a commitment to data-driven programing. The Research Associate Intern will be part of the Research, Analysis and Learning team and will play a critical role in delivering on IRC’s Strategy 100 Research and Evidence Ambition.  In this role, the intern will develop and support the dissemination of evidence reviews to support program staff in designing evidence-based programs. She/he will work directly under the supervision and guidance of the Research Technical Advisor and Director of Program Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation.

To apply, please visit the job posting here.

Humanitarian Affairs Intern

Spring 2021
Application Deadline: April 11, 2021
Location: Remote

The United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.

This job opening announcement involves internship opportunities with OCHA Intergovernmental Policy Section (IGPS) in New York, United States. The intern will be under the general guidance and direct supervision of the Chief and Humanitarian Affairs Officers of IGPS. The internship is being offered for a minimum period of three (3) months and maximum period of six (6) months, depending on the needs and requirements of IGPS and the readiness of the applicant, and beginning at a mutually agreed time.

The intern, under the general guidance of the Section Chief and Humanitarian Affairs Officers, perform a variety of tasks, depending on the internship period, including but not limited to:

• Engages in UN intergovernmental process and with Member States on humanitarian affairs;
• Contributes to technical policy advice and Secretariat support provided by IGPS to Member States in the negotiations on humanitarian resolutions in the General Assembly and ECOSOC, including with research, note-taking and other support.
• Supports planning and organization of meetings and events, in particular the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, its high-level panel discussions and side events organized on the margins of the Segment;
• Attends and reports back on intergovernmental meetings, events and informal consultations;
• Assists in drafting and preparing background documents, reports, issue briefs, talking points, presentations etc. on humanitarian issues;
• Researches, analyses and presents information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues related to humanitarian and other relevant policy issues;
• Maintains awareness of current humanitarian affairs and related issues, to include relevant political, policy, gender considerations or other developments in specific subject area, country or region concerned.
• Responds to a variety of inquiries and information requests internally and externally and prepares related correspondence.

To apply, please visit the job posting here.

UNCDF General Internship Call: Partnerships, Policy and Communications Team Intern

April 2021
Application Deadline: March 31, 2021
Location: Remote

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 workplan and goals of the unit, including but not limited to expanding partnerships; supporting and improving communications efforts, including on social media and through the creation of stakeholder content; 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 Member States.
Under the guidance & supervision of the Head of Partnerships, Policy and Communications PPC Unit, and in close collaboration with other colleagues in the PPC Unit, the intern will assist in any of the following tasks:

•  Write blogs, feature and success stories about results achieved and efforts pursued under UNCDF projects and programmes in the areas of financial inclusion and local development finance, based on relevant inputs from project/programme managers, partners and donors. 
• Support the writing, translation, design and production of communication outputs, such as in drafting press releases and publications, and dissemination to UNDP country offices, UNCDF country and regional offices, partners and stakeholders.
• Draft policy and partnership briefs ahead of meetings of the Executive Secretary;
• Contribute to drafting of a flagship policy report on blended finance .
• Support the team throughout the preparatory process for the Fifth UN Conference on the LDCs, including conference logistics, drafting policy language, and engaging with LDC and donor missions
• Draft/update country briefs about key donor countries detailing their development policies and foreign policy priorities.
• Participate in the administration of PPC’s various newsletter campaigns. 
• Contribute to the creation of content for specific stakeholders, including presentation decks and literature. 
• Assist in boosting UNCDF’s presence in online communications and social media; provide assistance as required in the maintenance of the UNCDF online platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube channel, Instagram etc.
• Provide technical support to UNCDF country teams in the development and appropriate use of communication and advocacy tools (i.e. newsletter, websites, posters, brochures, pamphlets) to increase visibility of UNCDF. 
• Assist the PPC Unit in organizing events, launches of publications, seminars and conferences, global campaigns.
• Support colleagues across the agency on issues including but not limited to blended finance; impact investing; development finance; or support to Least Developed Countries.
• Support colleagues in undertaking due diligence related to partner engagement.

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

Vato Gogsadze, Program Assistant, vg2470@columbia.edu
Sanya Batra, Program Assistant, sb4330@columbia.edu