My experience at the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-NCA) Graduate Fellows Program –Lisa-Carolin Petersen
Where can I learn more about the United Nations? This was the question I asked when I was looking for fellowship opportunities. This question turned out to be of pivotal importance for my decision to apply to the Graduate Fellows Program of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-NCA) this semester. I have always been interested in learning more about how the UN system functions but it was during my internship at the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations in New York that I really developed a strong admiration for what UN member states are doing to solve global issues.
Each week we discussed topics, such as the UN and Fragile states, Power and the UN, UN Financing, UN and Human Rights, and UN Agenda 2030. One of the best parts of the fellowship were the guest speakers that joined our sessions each week. During the session ´Power and Influence at the United Nations – a Case Study of Iraq’ we were joined by Former Ambassador Negroponte. It was fascinating to hear about his position as United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former U.S Ambassador to Iraq.
In another important session about the ‘Climate Crisis’ we discussed with Patty Beneke, former United Nations Environment Program Regional Director for North America, what UN members need to do for a successful COP26 in Glasgow.
In addition, not only was I able to learn from people who have been working in the field of international relations but I was also challenged to think outside the box by looking for creative solutions, such as for example improving initiatives such as, the UNDP-DPPA Program on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention or writing a speech about what else the Secretary General could do to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. These assignments complemented my other coursework in the GLOA program really well because all my Global Affairs and Conflict and Security courses gave me the foundation to understand the topics each week in greater depth and more detail.
Even though it was all virtual due to the pandemic it was a life enriching experience. I would like to thank my UNA-NCA mentors Tom Bradley, Nancy Donaldson, Edward Elmendorf and Soonhoon Ahn for always supporting and guiding me throughout the program. I was really fortunate to have had so many amazing mentors and fellows by my side from different universities, different backgrounds and different countries. Thus, I encourage everyone interested in addressing global issues and learning more about the United Nations to apply.
March 24, 2021