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Each fall semester, students accepted into this program intern in a U.N. office, related agency or national mission and take two advanced level classes in the areas of Peace, Security, and Development. ÌýPast internship placements have included positions in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UN Radio, the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, the Office for Disarmament Affairs, and country missions to the U.N.Ìý

2021 Students

Aerex Narvasa
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA
²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýEast AsianStudiesÌý

Aerex is working at the UK Mission under the Humanitarian, Peacebuilding, and Development team. Most of his work centers around climate change advocacy and preparing for COP26, which the UK hosted in Glasgow, Scotland in November. His role mainly involves reporting on events in the GA like the Food Systems Summit and High-Level Event on Climate, as well as covering briefings leading up to COP26. With climate and development being his main area of focus, he shadows negotiations on resolutions within the Economic and Financial (2nd) Committee ranging from the Convention on Biodiversity, Conference on Least Developed Countries, and Culture and Sustainable Development.

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Stephanie Oyolu
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA and Economics
²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýReligious StudiesÌý

Stephenie is interning at UNICEF. Her internship with UNICEF has enabled her to develop a stronger understanding of Communication for Development (C4D) theory. Much of the work she had done so far has dealt with disaggregating data as part of the Children and Young People (CYP) Initiative U-Report. She has been tasked with analyzing data from eleven countries concerning the impact of mental health challenges on young people, particularly in the context of the pandemic. The C4D sector endeavors to empower young people to be agents of change, and synthesizing this data will allow her to identify what issues young people care about most. She looks forward to observing how this data will be used to inform future initiatives and what role she can serve in that endeavor.

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Oli Vorster
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA
²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýReligious StudiesÌý

Oli isÌýcurrently interning for Outright International, the only US-based LGBTIQ organization which has recognized consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In the first month of their internship, they have been following meetings and conducting work in the 3rd Committee of the General Assembly (Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Issues) and the LGBTI Core Group, which is a cross-regional group of UN member states dedicated to raising awareness about LGBTI issues. Some favorite projects so far include participating in a high-level event to raise awareness about LGBTI discrimination, drafting a report on LGBTI Youth for the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls in the General Assembly, and drafting an official statement from the LGBT caucus to the new Executive Director of UN Women. Overall, they look forward to continuing political lobbying and advocacy for LGBTI human rights throughout the semester.

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Amirah Al-Sagr
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA and CSLC
Minor: Classical StudiesÌý

Amirah interns with the UK Mission, sharing her time between the Political and Management, Reform, and Finance (MRF) sections. She focuses mainly on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). She has been able to do work in the Security Council and Committee Negotiations, and looks forward to more to come!

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Collin Nascimento
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýPoliticsÌý

Collin is currently working for the United Nations Development Programme. His main project for the department has been researching for a journal article on the long-term effects of Covid on young people, and what policies can be implemented either by the UN itself or by member states to mitigate some of those impacts. He believes it will be interesting to see how his research will be integrated into the paper, which will be written by the full-time staff on the team. It's been a very interesting few weeks for him so far, and he’s excited about what the new ones will bring.

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Aidan Garagic
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýEconomics
²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýMath

Aidan is currently working at UNDP with the HIV, Health, and Development team. His work focuses on the health-related aspects of the SDGs (sustainable development goals), and specifically SDG 3: Good Health and Well Being. So far he has worked on a literature review for a policy brief on key populations at risk for HIV, done research on COVID-19's impact on the SDGs and health equity, and contributed to a COVID-19 report that his team will be publishing in a medical journal, BMJ, in December. Going forward he hopes to continue some of the research he is doing, as well as branch out into working on projects concerning shrinking civic space and the pros/cons of digitalization to civil society work. He is excited to continue the work he’s doing, learn and immerse himself in the culture of the UN, and explore NYC further

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Caroline Dimond
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA and EconomicsÌý

Caroline is one of the UK Mission interns, working in the Humanitarian, Peacebuilding, and Development section. Since the very beginning of her internship, she has been focused on humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. This has been extremely interesting and intense -- learning about the very human impacts of donor government decisions for aid and development. Her research focuses on the macroeconomic situation in Afghanistan, area-based development programming, and examples of aid models in Yemen that could be useful in the context of Afghanistan. She is also engaged in UK priorities for peacebuilding and conflict prevention. She had the opportunity to attend two open debates in the Security Council on exclusion, identity, inequality, and conflict. She is so appreciative of this experience so far, all the people she has met in the UK, and her lovely cohort.

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Alejo Maggini
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA and Economics
Minor: Education

Alejo is interning at the Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations where he advises the Mission as the humanitarian and military officer in charge of the General Assembly's Fourth Committee of Special Political and Decolonization. Through these roles, he facilitated the adoption of the University for Peace resolution, gathering the support of 126 countries. In addition, he briefs the government of Costa Rica about innovative approaches to Peace Operations and voices Costa Rica's commitment to sustaining peace in issues of decolonization, outer space, atomic radiation, Palestine and Israel, and fragile conflict contexts. His days at the Mission are long but worth every second! Living in New York for him is a daily adventure and Central Park during the Fall is as beautiful as it looks in movies!

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Lauren El Kholy
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA
Minor: Gender, Women, and Sexuality StudiesÌý

Lauren grew up in Cairo, Egypt which always fueled her interest in Middle Eastern politics, which is why the United Nations Relief and Works Agency was the perfect job placement for her. She gets to monitor meetings of relevance to UNRWA in both the security council and the GA which is such a privilege. She is so excited to gain more exposure to the inner workings of the system of the United Nations.

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Zhouheng Li
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA
Minor: East Asian Studies

Li is working for Religions for Peace: World Conference on Religions and Peace. He is a Program Officer Intern that works closely with different branches of the UN (such as UNICEF, UNHCR, and UNFCCC) to facilitate peacebuilding through interreligious conversation. His primary duties include meeting monitoring, events planning, and corresponding with partner UN organizations and NGOs. Through working with a civil society actor within the UN, and through courses in this program that focus on human rights and the UN system, he believes he has had a more comprehensive understanding of the UN from an uncommon angle.

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Madeleine Henry
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA
Minor: Public Health

Madeleine is interning in the Civil Society Division of UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality, and the Empowerment of Women. She is mainly supporting the mapping, analysis, and database development of Women Human Rights Defender (WHRD) organizations/networks. She is also conducting research on how to support and expand civil society space at the country, regional, and global levels. Overall, She is really excited to get the chance to explore my interest in women's human rights further and use what she has learned at Â鶹ÊÓƵ in a real-world professional setting.

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Cheng Wang
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA
Minor: Economics

Cheng is an international student from Suzhou, China interning at the United Nations Development Programme. Given the context of the ongoing pandemic, his internship work specifically includes topics of vaccine equity, medical waste management, and emergency preparedness. His internship connects countries to international partners to create and strengthen their digital systems to overcome organizational, operational, and technical challenges in vaccine delivery. He also works with colleagues on air pollution, climate change, gender, and road safety. UNDP provides tons of learning opportunities within the organization. Personally, he is passionate about the UN’s entire concept of sustainable development and re-embracing global solidarity for the common good. Therefore, even with the setbacks of COVID, he is always energized with the faith that there is room to improve and that more could be done to push for progress.

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Stella Hong
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA
Minor: Sociology

Stella is an intern at UNICEF doing work in the Communications for Development (C4D) team. She is currently supporting two initiatives. The first initiative creates opportunities for children and young people to be involved with research and decision-making about mental health in their communities. The second initiative entails collaboration with religious leaders and organizations to identify how faith actors can use their platforms to improve the quality of life for the children, families, and the communities they engage with. She is so excited to be part of these two initiatives because they focus on supporting local actors, especially children and young people, who know their community best. She can't wait to dive deeper into this work!

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Julia Eubanks
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA and CSLA
Minor: Sociology

Julia is one of the UK Mission interns! She is working on the Third Committee focusing on human rights and the General Assembly. She also provides some assistance to the communications team. She is so excited about the amazing people she has gotten to meet and the human rights-based projects she has been a part of. Thus far, she has gotten to meet the Prime Minister of the UK in the UK Mission Office. She also got to assist at an event about climate change where the speakers included the Prime Minister of Norway, along with the Presidents of Columbia and Costa Rica. Being in New York City as a whole is also riveting and she is looking forward to exploring the local music and art scene!

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Ava Davis
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA
Minor: UEP

Ava is interning in the Gender and Human Rights Branch at United Nations Population Fund where she records, summarizes, and analyzes statements made in GA side events, webinars, and meetings. Mainly, she participates in research projects, where she has dealt with Gender Transformative Approaches (GTA). Currently,Ìý She is engaged in UNFPA efforts to bring more attention to femicide, a matter on which there is little data despite its increasing prevalence due to COVID-19. She loves working at UNFPA because the majority of leaders are women of color, and she is one of only a few Americans in my department. The majority of my co-workers are from West Africa, South America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. She is excited to continue to learn from her co-workers' research and projects and to translate and create important linkages in her classes.

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Talia White
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA
Minor: Food Studies

Talia is interning at an NGO called the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) where she is focused on financing for peacebuilding. So far she has worked on a grant proposal for a local climate assessment and two papers dealing with financing female peacebuilders and strengthening infrastructures for peace during COVID-19. Currently, she is conducting research for a project focused on financing women, youth, and peace and security agendas. Working at an NGO has enabled her to get involved in a range of projects and connect with many actors spanning from local peacebuilders to UN policymakers to the Member States. Beyond her work, she is also very excited about experiencing different seasons and going apple picking for the first time in three years!

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Petra Jasper
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA
Minor: Gender, Women, and Sexuality StudiesÌý

Petra is currently interning at UNHCR, which is the United Nations refugee agency. The work she does is primarily focused on the Third Committee of the General Assembly, where I monitor interactive dialogues, check on resolutions, and look out for refugee-specific language. Additionally, she drafted a report for UNHCR Geneva Headquarters that summarized the High-Level Week and the General Debate. So far, she has greatly enjoyed being able to see how and why UNHCR determines its policy and how the views expressed in the Third Committee can influence action. Overall, she is grateful for the experience she has had, and she is excited to see what she will do next. Beyond work, she has been greatly enjoying exploring New York and having classes in person!

2018 Students

Marianna Babboni
²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA
²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýReligious StudiesÌý

Marianna is working atÌý UNHCR, the UN’s refugee agency. Her dedication to the plight of refugees and her interest in migration flows both stems from her summer spent working at an initial reception center in Southern Italy and her internship with CARECEN, a non-profit immigration law center in Los Angeles. “The connections and friendships I have made during my practical experiences on the field," Marianna shares, “are what drive my work at UNHCR’s New York office this semester." She is most excited about attending meetings and writing briefings on the Global Compact on Refugees that Filippo Grandi, the High Commissioner for Refugees, will advocate for during this 73rd General Assembly session. She is also hoping to sneak in a picture with him!

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Rhea Bhatia

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýPsychology

Minor:ÌýChinese Studies

Rhea is interning with UNDP BPPS Gender Team.Ìý She spent the summer working at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Undergraduate Research Center.Ìý She’s looking forward to supporting the implementation of the SDGs with a special focus on gender equality.Ìý “By empowering nations to be more inclusive, UNDP is able to focus on conflict prevention and resolution and highlights a global standard for achieving gender equality in order to achieve the SDG’s. In the past I have learned about gender based violence at a micro scale from local NGO's in LA. This internship gives me exposure to how bolstering the capacity of local governments and enacting policies through gender-responsive public institutions can enact change at a macro level.".Ìý Rhea is particularly interested in the role of women in leadership and government to stopping gender based violence and achieving development.

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Mia Coleman

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA

Mia is interning this fall at the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).Ìý She’s very excited to be a part of the team at UNFPA and to contribute to the broad range of initiatives the Agency is involved in.Ìý Working in the Gender, Human Rights and Culture Branch Mia is excited to bring together her experiences at Â鶹ÊÓƵ and abroad towards the mission of the UNFPAÌý A Boston native, Mia is no stranger to NYC, but is excited to live in the city and take advantage of the opportunities this affords.Ìý She hopes to make use of her Arabic and French language skills in her work for in the UN system.

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Juliana Durning

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWAÌýand SpanishÌý

Juliana is interning this semester for the UN Permanent Mission to Costa Rica. After spending the past semester in Valparaíso, Chile, she worked at a children's tech camp and as a research assistant for Occidental Professor Douglas Gardner for the remainder of the summer. She researched gendered issues of tropical crop production in Costa Rica with a focus on Nicaraguan migrant women. Juliana is inspired by the UN's dedicated work on the macro level of human development and global problem-solving. This semester, she is excited to speak Spanish at her internship and to fully experience New York City.

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Chidire Ezeh

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA

²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýFrench StudiesÌý

Chidire is working with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),Ìý HIV and Health team that supports countries in their efforts to reduce inequalities, increase social inclusion, and pinpoint the determinants of health outcomes. This summer he learned the inner workings of the public sector while interning with the City of Los Angeles Mayoral Office. His work focused on localizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals in preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games and to provide the city with a set of recommendations on issues that should be prioritized. Chidire's passion for his work stems from his childhood living in Nairobi, Kenya where poverty and affluence often share the same street. "The UN cares for the most vulnerable populations who are often overlooked even by their own governments. Their bottom-up approach and leave-no-one-behind mentality is what draws me to their work, and I am excited and honoured to be part of the team."

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Manjun Hao

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA

²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýUrban Environmental Policy

Manjuan is interning at the UNDP SDG team and is excited to see the power everyday people have to make the world a better place.Ìý This summer Manjun interned at a nonprofit fiscal sponsor researching nonprofit market trends and providing administrative assistance to nonprofits started by community members. She's excited to delve into the implementation of SDGs and learn about different stakeholders' perspectives on the matter.

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Ovie Kabba

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWAÌýand Spanish

Ovie is working with the UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), this semester. This summer she received a Young Grant and interned at Proyde, an NGO based in Madrid, Spain which works to transform the social, economic, and political structures that cause injustice and inequality throughout the developing world. Her thematic interests lay in conflict prevention, democratization, peace-building, rule of law and the flow of people and she is excited to explore the intersection of these issues in the complexities of protecting refugees as well as becoming more familiar with the inner workings of the UN system.

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Aditya Kankipati

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA

²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýChinese StudiesÌý

Aditya spent this summer in Mumbai, India, interning at TataCLiQ, an online retail store, working in the digital marketing division. This semester, he will be interning at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), with a particular interest in how the agency creates training programs to guide diplomats through the international system who work to further not only national interests, but also the three pillars of the United Nations. The trip to Costa Rica is something he is excited for, both to see a new country, and also to see how a United Nations Field Mission operates.

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Halla Keir

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA

²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýPolitics

This fall Halla will be interning with the UN UNRWA is the Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). She has been studying and working on issues around Palestinian rights since her first year at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, and is excited to continue this work with the UN. This summer, Halla worked as a Policy and Advocacy intern at the Yemen Peace Project, working specifically on arms sales and legislation between the U.S. and parties involved in the conflict in Yemen. She is excited to continue her focus in the Middle East and North Africa region through the lens of an international organization and understanding further the pressures that Palestinian refugees and UNRWA face in the current climate.

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Ashley Leon

Major: History Major (Pre-Law Track)

During the summer, Ashley interned for the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). As a legal intern, she had the opportunity to conduct legal research and help create legal strategies for our ongoing cases in the areas of immigrant rights, voting rights, and education. She is interning for the Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the United Nations and is excited to put theory into practice and to see history in the making while working and conversing with UN professionals. Studying and interning for an organization that strives for perpetual peace inspires her to work towards a world free from war, hunger, illness, and inequality in her future career as an attorney.

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Maddie Lubeck

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA

²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýReligious StudiesÌý

This semester Maddie will be working at the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the UN. She was inspired by learning about the work of Sergio Vieira de Mello this summer, and in particular learning from his experiences in Rwanda. She looks forward to learning about and meeting other inspirational people who strive for the mission of the UN every day. She is particularly excited for the Costa Rica trip and the opportunity to explore how ideas and theories are implemented in the field.

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Cassandra Madrazo

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA

²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýStudio ArtÌý

Cassandra is currently interning for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Communication For Development office. Cassandra loves her work at UNICEF because it shows the intersection between children’s development and international concerns. Prior to interning for UNICEF, Cassandra worked for Women and Youth Supporting Each Other (WYSE) and Tom Sawyer Camps where she got to further her appreciation and passion for children’s development. Cassandra hopes to learn as much as she can this semester, including navigating the subway and New Yorker walking etiquette.

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Andrea Snyder

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA

Andrea will be joining the First Committee at the Costa Rica Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Early this summer, Andrea interned for Ashoka – Innovators for the Public in Washington, D.C. As an Africa Diamond Partnerships Intern, Andrea was most impressed by youth entrepreneurs and “changemaker" stories that have effectively shifted policy around the world. Later in the summer, Andrea worked for the Consular Affairs section at the U.S. Embassy Dakar, Senegal. She was grateful to return to West Africa and reconnect with friends and family after four years of being away. Andrea enjoys learning about different cultures and has spent time living in France, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, and Senegal. While at the United Nations, she hopes to gain a better understanding of the organization’s internal operations and what drives the individuals working under its umbrella.

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Zach Solomon

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA

²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýHistoryÌý

Zach will be working at the UK Mission to the UN. This summer he worked with the Los Angeles Mayor's office of International Affairs on localizing the Sustainable Development Goals with a specific focus on the nonprofit sector. He also had the opportunity to travel in China with a group of students and professors from Â鶹ÊÓƵ, studying rural and urban development in the country.Ìý Zach hopes to learn more about how development relates with security in the UN system.Ìý Zach is also excited to see how diplomacy functions on a day to day basis and is especially interested in how the UK approaches challenges and defines itself in the current political climate.

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Poppy Thekdi

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA

Poppy will be working this semester at the Rwanda Mission to the United Nations, with a specific focus on peacekeeping. Poppy is interested in learning more about environmental sustainability in economic development, the intricacies of international human rights law and the emerging challenges of globalization. She loves cooking, music and art, and is hoping to explore some gallery openings in between committee meetings!

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Claire Van Fossen

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA

²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýFrench StudiesÌý

This summer Claire coached gymnastics and began research for her senior comprehensive project. Claire will be working in the UK mission to the UN and is excited to get to witness diplomacy in action.Ìý She hopes to gain insight into how international organizations work to combat global conflict and maintain international peace and security.Ìý Claire enjoys healthy political conversations, nature, dance, farmer’s markets, working with young students, and traveling and hopes to experience some of everything during her semester in New York.

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Olivia Wilk

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWAÌýand East Asian StudiesÌý

This semester Olivia will intern at the United Nations Foundation. Throughout college, Olivia has spent extensive time studying, researching, and working in China where she discovered her love for of linking creative industries with social impact. Olivia looks forward to meeting inspiring people at the UN and using this time to explore New York City.

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Jayne Wixtead

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýDWA

²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù:ÌýEconomics

Thanks to the Young Grant from Â鶹ÊÓƵ Jayne was able to spend her summer working for the IAEA in Vienna with a focus on internal security and policy writing.Ìý Jayne is excited to work as one of three Â鶹ÊÓƵ students in the UK mission to the UN.Ìý She's especially excited to see the UN from the perspective of a mission and hopes to gain insight into the resolution writing process.Ìý While NYC is only an hour from home for Jayne, she's excited to have access to a wide range of events and opportunities.

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2017 Students

Siyanna Ahmadu

Major: EconomicsÌý

Siyanna Ahmadu, the Third Committee Attaché at the Permanent Mission of the U.K. to the UN, majors in economics at Occidental. This summer, she worked at SmartBrief, whereÌýshe had the wonderful opportunity to conclude by presenting a new product to the executives of the company. Reflecting on one of the twoÌýsummer readings the G-17 completed, she said, “James Traub's book about Kofi Annan [The Best Intentions: Kofi Annan and the UN in the Era of American World Power] was interesting because it gave extensive details of the Secretary-General's demeanor expressed through body language and tone of voice during the interview sessions." Her favorite part of the fast-paced, exciting and humbling job isÌýregularly attending EU Coordination meetings, during which member states discuss progress that has been made on the EU-burden sharing resolutions. She’s learned that words carry an immense weight at the UN from her close examination of several resolutions, such as those about human rights defenders and DPRK.

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Sydney Bowman

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs, Spanish

A Spanish and DWA double major, Sydney Bowman will join Ahmadu this semester at the U.K. mission. During the summer, she interned at MSI Integrity, a small nonprofit in San Francisco dedicated to investigating the effectiveness of multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) in promoting and protecting human rights. With a passion for human rights, Bowman most looks forward to working on questions of human rights at the UK Mission and learning from all of the talented people who work there.

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Will Butenschoen

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs

Will Butenschoen majors in DWA and is one of two interns at the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the UN. He’s been most grateful for the exposure to learning the negotiating tools diplomats use to advance the missions of their delegations. Thinking about inspiring UN individuals, Butenschoen looks up to Sergio Vieira de Mello because he was a cooperative realist who invested in the institutions he thought could elevate dignity and wellbeing. He was empatheticÌý and professional. “I am inspired by how he could adapt to meet ‘diffuse and unpredictable challenges’ and hope to employ the principled, flexible, pragmatism such as he did in my everyday work," Butenschoen said of the former high-levelÌýhumanitarian. When asked about his number one lesson from the semester, he said, “Point yourself in the right direction and don’t stop moving." As for New York City? He loves that he can walk anywhere, eat anything and enjoy the unique sounds of the city.

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Shawn Cremer

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs

Shawn Cremer studies DWA at Occidental and is the Global Policy and UN Relations intern at the United Nations Foundation this fall. His favorite part of the job is the level of creativity that he gets to bring. He gets to figure out how best to put together a room of people from all different sectors, including the UNÌýand diplomatic missions of course, but also from businesses, universities, think tanks, civil society and non-governmental organizations and even influencers from the arts and media sectors. He lovesÌý it because all aspects of the work are exercises in fulfilling trust and generating real ideas. He looks up to the late life-long UN servant Sergio Vieira de Mello as a philosopher/scholars-turned field officer who figured out how to enjoy life to its fullest and indulged, even while making huge humanitarian impacts on the ground. He’s been trying to take a page out of De Mello’s book in this expansive, chockablock semester, taking the chance to reconnect with many old friends who work in theatre. “I’ve been to more shows in the past two months than the past two years!"

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Theresa Edwards

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs, Spanish

Theresa Edwards, like many colleagues in the G-17, double majors in DWA and Spanish. This semester, she is the Third Committee Policy Adviser to the Permanent Mission of Guatemala to UN. “My favorite part of the job is listening to the briefings of the independent experts and special rapporteurs who come to the Third Committee. I’m learning so much about different human rights themes and situations around the world," Edwards said of her job. Speaking of rapporteurs, Edwards cites James Anaya, the former UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2008-2014) as the UN figure who inspires her the most. During his time as Special Rapporteur, Anaya was instrumental to theÌýdrafting of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. “He is an incredible lawyer, writer and advocate, and I would love to meet him someday," she said. She’s learned not to be afraid to introduce herself to people, even if they seem intimidating. No matter someone’s rank or title, everyone is just a human being. She’s made time on the weekends to explore the restaurants, parks, museums and festivals of NYC. A few of her favorite finds are the Highline in Chelsea, the Union Square farmer’s market, the Strand bookstore and, of course, Central Park. Having my go-to dessert and study spots has helped her feel at home in the city.

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Jenna Feldman

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs, Spanish

Jenna Feldman majors in Diplomacy & World Affairs (DWA) and Spanish and works this fall at the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the UN. She spent the summer working as a retail associate at Pressed Juicery in Walnut Creek, CA, learning the ins and outs of customer service in the retail environment. She most looks forward to the Costa Rica trip this fall. “I was looking over the itinerary and can't wait for the opportunity to engage with the people/organizations with whom we're scheduled to visit," Feldman said.

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Lily Goldfarb

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs, Spanish

Lily Goldfarb studies DWA and Spanish at Â鶹ÊÓƵ and she works at the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) this semester. After coming back from a semester abroad in Chile, she was able to spend time working at a summer camp in Wisconsin. “This work helped me realize how much I enjoy working with children and their development," said Goldfarb. Her impression of the summer reading was that it was an important preface to working within the UN system, as they reminded her to be a believer, constructive critic and active participant of the work of the UN.

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Ryan Henderson

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs, Economics

Ryan Henderson double majors in DWA and economics, minoring in Spanish. He is the Fourth Committee and peacekeeping policy adviser at the Rwanda Permanent Mission this fall. His favorite part of the job has been immersing himself and engaging in the UN's pluralistic atmosphere. “Hearing experts and member speak on a myriad of issues, from peacekeeping to decolonization, is an incredible opportunity," he said. He tries to approach each day as a 24/7 learning environment. “Within the UN realm, I'm always seeking ways to deepen my understanding of themes like peacekeeping, particularly in the context of Rwanda. Beyond the UN, I strive to connect my own experiences with what I learn in theÌýÂ鶹ÊÓƵ-at-the-UN Program. This helps me foster for myself a holistic learning experience." Besides gaining professional experience and immersing in the diverse, dynamic environment of the UN, Henderson has enjoyed playing in a competitive basketball league several times a week as a way to unwind and engage with a lifelong passion. He still also hopes to appear in a Casey Neistat vlog during his time in the city.

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Roz Jones

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs

Roz Jones, a DWA senior, joins Will Butenschoen at Costa Rica’s UN Mission as the Third Committee policy adviser. “My favorite part of the job," Jones says, “is listening to the presentations of special rapporteurs in the third committee. These individuals have dedicated the majority of their lives to studying certain, sometimes very specific issues in the field of human rights and humanitarian issues." She’s impressed by their knowledge, passion and dedication. She calls Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin one of her professional role models and personal heroes. The late executive director of the United Nations Population Fund exhibited qualities Roz admires, mainly his undying dedication and passion for ensuringÌýmaternal and reproductive health care for women and girls around the world. So far, the greatest lessons she’s taken from the semester have been to always be willing to go the extra mile, to never sacrifice her health and wellbeing, as they are essential to be a good worker and to always remain adaptable. Sometimes she takes the subway to a new area just for the sake of exploring, with no agenda. This way of seeing the city has opened up so many new experiences and memories for her.

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Hongjin (Nicole) Lin

Major: MathematicsÌý

Hongjin (Nicole) Lin provides some academic diversity to the group, as sheÌý studies mathematics and minors in computer science at Occidental. She isÌý interning at the UN Development Program (UNDP)Ìý thisÌý fall.Ìý DuringÌý the summer, she worked on a database project at the Beijing Representative office of OneSky Foundation, a prominent non-profit foundation aiming to improve theÌýÌý well being of the most vulnerable children in China's orphanages and villages. A highlight of her work there was the opportunity to establish a partnership with the organization to jumpstart a summer internship program that recruits rising seniors or recent graduates with quantitative mindset to work on data analysis projects inÌýChina. Reading the summer biographies introduced her to a new UN hero, Sergio Vieira de Mello.

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IevaÌýMarcinkeviciute

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Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs, Economics

Joining the U.K. Permanent Mission, Ieva Marcinkeviciute is a DWA and economics major. She spent the summer in Lithuania conducting independent research project on Baltic genocide for comps and interned with joint technical secretariat of numerous cross-border cooperation programs funded by the EU (all made possible but the John Parke Young grant). She looks up to Jeffrey Sachs, the current director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and former special advisor to the Secretary-General on the MDGs and director of UN Millennium Project.

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Barani Maung Maung

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs

Barani Maung Maung joins the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) from the DWA department where she hopes to witness how a huge organization, such as UNFPA, operates in a developed nation, the U.S. This summer, she worked at a financial technology (FinTech) startup focusing on Myanmar’s emerging market. “I surprisingly loved it," Maung Maung said. She calls the World Economic Forum (WEF) Vice-Chair and former Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Josette Sheeran, a UN role model.

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Hanan Mohamed

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs

Hanan Mohamed majors in DWA and works at the UNÌý ReliefÌý andÌý Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) this fall. Her tasks vary greatly day by day, but include conducting research for use in reports or in preparation for bilateral meetings and other events. “I also represent the Agency at various UN and working group meetings and report back to my supervisors and colleagues in Jerusalem/Amman," Mohamed said. Over the summer, she attended a human rights conference in Colombia studying armed conflict, transitionalÌý justice and the Colombian government’s peace deal with the FARC rebel group, an experience she carries into her work in New York. Her favorite part of the jobÌýis receiving high-pressure tasks to be completed on a deadline. “I also really love seeing an event or meeting I had a large part in planning go smoothly, and knowing that my proactive actions make the work of my colleagues more manageable." She’s learned to stand up for herself when she feels underutilized or when her tasks seem inefficient. Throughout her internship, she has strengthenedÌýÌýÌý her ability to clearly communicate with her supervisor when she knows something isn't working, offering solutions that have been welcomed. She’s also learned the value of proactively seeking opportunities. She sums up the program in three words: caffeine, meetings, confidence.

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Gaea Morales

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs, French

Gaea Morales studies both DWA and French and works this semester at theÌý United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Her grandÌýÌý summer highlight was interning for United Nations Development ProgramÌý (UNDP) Philippine Country Office supported by the John Parke Young Initiative. “Perhaps my most exciting experience," she recalled, “was accompanying a Mission from the Government of Myanmar in their meetingsÌýÌý with Philippine government and civil society representatives to share knowledge on the systematic integration of the Sustainable Development Goals in legislation,Ìýplanning, advocacy, monitoring and budgeting." In reflecting on the summer readings, Morales said that she appreciated them for their 3-in-1 qualities: as biography, sociopolitical history lesson, and primer on applied philosophy and ethics.

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Andie Tuemmler

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs, Economics

Double majoring in DWA and economics, Andie Tuemmler joins three of her peers at the U.K. Permanent Mission this fall, in the political section, spending most of her time on Africa and Women, Peace and Security. She spent the summer in Colombia researching women's rights in the peace process, a topic she remains interested in and committed to. He favorite part of the job at the U.K. mission is how fast-paced and wide-ranging it is. “My typical day involves attending meetings, briefing or negotiations to write up reports for the office. I love that the topics of the meetings vary so widely, because it forces me to stay on my toes and be able to follow a wide range of issues and learn quickly when I'mÌýcovering a topic I have little experience with." Her top take-away from the semester so far? No matter how long your supervisor has worked at your office, if they didn't read a Secretary-General’s report and you did, you're the expert on those recommendations. She’s learned not to be afraid to own her knowledge and have confidence in her own analysis and opinions. Like many, she still looks forward to the trip to Costa Rica for the chance to apply what she’s learned to real communities.

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Kasi Whitaker

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs

Kasi Whitaker majors in DWA at Occidental and works at the UN Development Program (UNDP) HIV, Health and Development team. Most of her job is conducting research for various team members on topics such as non- communicable diseases (NCDs), planetary health and vaccine coverage andÌý prices. She’s loved the opportunity to work with many people in a variety of fields within the team, including experts on the sustainable development goals (SDGs), NCDs and law. A major part of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ at the UN program is the Task Force class, in which small teams of students conduct research to be used by a certain UN-related agency. This year, that class will involve a trip to Costa Rica toÌýconduct research and work in the field. Whitaker most looks forward to the rich opportunities that trip will undoubtedly offer. She defines the semester thus far as comprehensive, consequential and structured.

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Ruoxi Zhang

Major: Diplomacy and World Affairs, Economics

Finally, Ruoxi Zhang, who majors in both economics and DWA, covers third, fourth and sixth committee meetings for the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This summer, she conducted research on corruption risks in foreign investment at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Speaking of her work in the three committees, she said, “I like that I have learned so much from thematic meetings and from the special rapporteurs." It’s been very interesting to hear member states’ perspectives, being exposed to unfamiliar points of view and seeing the politics at play right in front of her eyes. She has loved exploring different parts of New York — Upper East Side, Upper West Side, theÌýWest Village, Brooklyn and Queens — all of which can be easily reached by subway, yet all of whichÌýhave such a different vibe. “I felt like I am travelling although I am still within the same city," she said. She’s learned how crucial it is to be courageous in talking to people. At first the delegates may seem intimidating, but once she’s gathered courage to talk to them, she has obtained valuable information that she may not have the opportunity to get anywhere else. Because, ultimately, one’s experience is what one makes of it.