By Calypso Moschochoritis, UNA-NCA Program Assistant
The UNA-NCA Graduate Fellows Program has finally begun its 2020 session. The program focuses on current key global issues as they are faced by United Nations agencies. The mission of the program is to foster an understanding of UN issues, policies, and organizations and prepare the fellows for UN-related careers. The fellows meet once a week with experts in the UN, sustainability, conflict management, and more.
This year’s talented group of 24 students is more diverse than ever. With 14 of them having spent most of their childhood outside of the United States, they represent most regions of the world. The fellows grew up in a wide variety of circumstances, including poverty, privilege, hardship, forced migration, and refugee status. Some grew up in war-torn countries and others in peaceful surroundings. Despite differences, they all have a fire raging inside that compels them to make the world a better place. This year’s group of energetic change-makers come from nine universities in the Washington area, including Georgetown University, the George Washington University, the University of Baltimore, George Mason University, Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and the University of Maryland. Twenty fellows are master’s degree candidates, two are doctoral candidates, and two are law students.
Components of the UNA-NCA Graduate Fellows Program include a weekly seminar program focusing on current key global issues such as economic development and economic policy, UN budget and finance, and gender; intensive career development sessions to support the Fellows as they explore UN-related careers; and a visit to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, were fellows will participate in the annual UNA-USA Global Engagement Summit.
In conclusion, the UNA-NCA Graduate Fellows Program is an opportunity to gain otherwise hidden insight into the UN system, as well as interact with an array of people from diverse backgrounds they otherwise would not have had the chance to meet.
February 20, 2020
