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| Who graduated? Who joined the Peace Corps? Who is spending the summer in Thailand? Who is interning in Germany? Find out what former WFUNA interns are up to by clicking here>> |
Learn about the experiences of some of our previous interns:
 Marcus Wilson - New Zealand (Winter 2007-2008)
"An internship as ‘Disarmament Coordinator’ at WFUNA gave me wonderful insight into the processes and practices of the UN system. I entered it with little previous knowledge of disarmament, but left it with a strong understanding of the intricate web of history, policy, strategy, diplomacy and ideology involved in international disarmament. I was fortunate to meet, and even work along-side, some of the key international figures in the disarmament field...In short, taking on an internship at WFUNA will reward those who are active and enthusiastic, with a very unique experience. You will be challenged, you will learn more than you could hope to learn through books and classes, and you will enjoy doing it too. I wholeheartedly recommend the WFUNA internship programme and I’m not the first, nor will I be the last, to do so".
 Anna Simonsen - Sweden (Summer 2006)
"From day one I was part of creating, planning, and implementing new projects that were tailored to my interests, while at the same time pushing me to take on unfamiliar tasks and situations. The responsibilities given to me, the setbacks experienced, and ultimately, the satisfaction of watching one of "my projects" come together left a feeling of pride and accomplishment that I still carry with me."
 Gerald Chen - China (Spring 2006)
"Joining WFUNA made familiar names such as ECOSOC, ILO, OHCHR, ITU, and Disarmament Conference become part of my life. Particularly, it is very exciting for me to walk through the Aisle of Flags into the Palais des Nations every morning."
Laurainne Demierre - Switzerland (Spring 2006)
"I can say from this internship, that it has helped me gain self-confidence and skills as I spent most of the time working independently"
 Teel Lidow - United States (Summer 2006)
"The World Federation offered me two things: a lucrative backdoor into the world of the United Nations, and an opportunity to experience the internal workings of a functioning NGO"
 Joshua Thomsen - United States (Spring 2006)
"My time at the World Federation lived up to my expectations, and then some. I was exposed to the world outside academia, both the good and the bad. The semester spent within the office in DC1 tower, across the street from the UN, gave me a valuable first step into the professional world of Diplomacy and International Relations." more>>
 Incia Khan - Canada (Summer/Fall 2005)
"The year 2005 was a fundamental year for me. It defined who I am, what I want in life and who do I want to become. I owe much of the year to the opportunity that a few fortunate individuals get. For six months I was in New York City fulfilling the role of the first Youth Coordinator for the World Federation of United Nations Associations". more>>
 Sarah Maitland - Northern Ireland (Summer/ Fall 2005)
"What I do know is that my experience at WFUNA has been instrumental in helping me not only deepen my knowledge of the UN system, development and international affairs, but has also helped me focus efforts towards my future career". more>>
 Susan Kayonde - Uganda (Summer 2005)
"WFUNA gives you the opportunity to meet and create networks with people from all walks of life who may share your visions, and aspirations"
"I was given the opportunity to attend the ARMUN conference in Stellenbosch (South Africa), which brought together youth from over 20 African countries. more>>
 Goffe Jensma - Netherlands (Summer/ Fall 2004)
"As a people's movement to the UN, WFUNA often focuses on the role of civil society within the UN and its programs. In my case the 'We the Peoples: 2004' report, that WFUNA produced in collaboration with the North South Institute partly during my internship, is therefore a good example of the level engagement of civil society and the implementation of the MDGs". more>>
 Lene Schumacher - Denmark
"Anything is possible as long as it is within the UN Charter" more>>
 Jean-Francois Leduc - Canada
"As an intern at WFUNA, you will have the opportunity to attend almost every meeting and/or conference at the UN, to meet other interns from the UN or other NGOs and of course, to visit the biggest Apple in the world". more>>
To all those looking to learn more about the UN system and gain experience in the international field – consider an internship at the World Federation of UN Associations in New York.
An internship as ‘Disarmament Coordinator’ at WFUNA gave me wonderful insight into the processes and practices of the UN system. I entered it with little previous knowledge of disarmament, but left it with a strong understanding of the intricate web of history, policy, strategy, diplomacy and ideology involved in international disarmament. I was fortunate to meet, and even work along-side, some of the key international figures in the disarmament field.
The most valuable aspect of a WFUNA internship is independence and responsibility bestowed upon all interns. “Your internship will be as successful as you make it” will become a fitting mantra. If you are good with people and are not shy to make a name for yourself, then this internship gives you a very long leash to do so. Meeting people and building partnerships is what the UN (and diplomacy) is all about. The great thing about WFUNA is that interns are encouraged to leave the office, attend meetings, establish or maintain networks and become familiar with the people and processes involved in the world’s most important international organisation.
A WFUNA internship will equip you with many different skills valuable in a wide array of careers and pursuits. Research, analysis, reporting, presenting, drafting and writing are common components of many interns’ experiences. Getting the opportunity to fulfil these tasks in an international environment is very beneficial to the intern and the organisation.
In short, taking on an internship at WFUNA will reward those who are active and enthusiastic, with a very unique experience. You will be challenged, you will learn more than you could hope to learn through books and classes, and you will enjoy doing it too. I wholeheartedly recommend the WFUNA internship programme and I’m not the first, nor will I be the last, to do so.
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My name is Anna, and I am from Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. I am currently studying in the US at the Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relation at Seton Hall University, where I am pursuing my B.S. and M.A. simultaneously in an intensive 5-year program. My goal is to develop an all encompassing understanding of US society, political culture, and identity, and then bring my experiences back to Europe where I will utilize my knowledge to improve communication and cooperation across the Atlantic. My dream careers are to work within the Swedish Foreign Service, the United Nations, or the European Union.
This summer I spent 3 months with the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), a non-governmental organization that works parallel with the mission and programs of the United Nations through student and civic education, community programs, and support for the spirit of the UN as a whole. From day one I was part of creating, planning, and implementing new projects that were tailored to my interests, while at the same time pushing me to take on unfamiliar tasks and situations. The responsibilities given to me, the setbacks experienced, and ultimately, the satisfaction of watching one of "my projects" come together left a feeling of pride and accomplishment that I still carry with me. Alongside the projects that I was involved with, I spent much time in the corridors of the UN, as I was given ample encouragements to visit at least one meeting or conference a day. That was of course not always possible, but the wide range off issues and people I encountered and observed left me wanting more, and has definitely solidified my interests in working closely to the UN.
Working for an NGO is many times frustrating, as power often comes with money or a government office. Involving the people in decision-making whose lives will be changed by the policies, conventions, and programs passed by governments and international institutions is not easy, but a necessity. Grassroots organizations connect high politics with real life, and becoming part of that process gave me an increased appreciation for the dedicated work of NGOs across the globe, and unraveled the intriguing challenges and opportunities posed by multilateralism, international law, and the fight for a prosperous human coexistence.
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Experience at the Geneva office
My name is Gerald Chen, from Mainland China. Currently I am doing my internship at the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) in Geneva, Switzerland
Pursuing a career in diplomacy and international affairs and contributing to UN activities has always been my dream. Joining WFUNA made familiar names such as ECOSOC, ILO, OHCHR, ITU, and Disarmament Conference become part of my life. Particularly, it is very exciting for me to walk through the Aisle of Flags into the Palais des Nations every morning.
Indeed, this internship is a personalized programme that allows me to match my strengths with WFUNA's activities. With an educational background in management research, I have focused on the membership system, fundraising projects, and the UNAs exchange network initiative, which have all helped me to develop my knowledge of how to run an international organization. As well as contributing to the operations, I also participated in different kinds of UN conferences. For instance, when attending the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Substantive Session, I had face-to-face opportunities to learn diplomatic skills from experienced diplomats and thus strengthen my understanding of international affairs.
It is also an amazing experience to work with WFUNA's Deputy Secretary-General, staff and interns, thus enhancing my teamwork skills. Geneva is certainly a great place to be for an internship - clean city, cultural diversity, gorgeous weather in the summer, beautiful lake, and fantastic mountains.
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I can say from this internship, that it has helped me gain self-confidence and skills as I spent most of the time working independently. Furthermore, the office is located in the Palais des Nations in Geneva, where the UN holds most of its consultations and meetings and being extremely interested in the UN, this availed me the opportunity to attend many conferences, which gave me good insight into the system.
I would like to express thanks to the WFUNA team for its kindness. It was great working with them in a very enjoyable environment.
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Experience at the New York Office
The World Federation (New York office) offered me two things: a lucrative backdoor into the world of the United Nations (a world that would most likely have been otherwise inaccessible), and a glimpse of the backroom diplomacy that drives the organization; and an opportunity to experience the internal workings of a functioning NGO along with all of its accomplishments and downfalls. Both of these aspects of my experience here are sure to be of value to me for as long as I find myself within the "international community."
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"Civil Society, Global Governance, and How I Helped
I began looking for internship opportunities during my first year of my two year masters program at Seton Hall University. I had a vague notion of what I wanted to do, but a very specific notion of what I did NOT want to do. I did not want to participate at an internship where I was the office gofer, the coffee boy, the copy kid, or anything along those mundane lines. I felt that if the internship requirement for my degree was to be of any use to me, I had to find a position where I was given real responsibility and was expected to do real work. Only then, in sampling the world outside academia, would I be walking away with an education of some sort.
It took me just over one year to find something that met my requirements. The World Federation of United Nations Associations, known as "the peoples' movement for the United Nations", caught my attention when the notice of an opening in the organization appeared in my inbox last fall. Unlike other positions I had passed up, this seemed like much more than glorified fundraising, standard office chores, or other initiatives having little to do with the international world. The World Federation offered not only a world-wide scope, but access to the United Nations, an opportunity to help a massive number of people in the UN Associations, promote the UN agenda, and best of all, it offered REAL work. I was sold when, during my initial interview, I was told that interns at the World Federation are exposed to real responsibility, as the office depended on the added assistance of interns to fill positions left for professionals in NGOs with more resources.
And I was certainly not disappointed. From the very beginning I discovered that the nature of the office was an all sink or all swim organization, where the work load was evenly divided throughout the office. Beginning with an emphasis on civil society, thanks to a research paper I did as part of my studies, I went through a long list of specializations during my single semester in the office. I was responsible for not only civil society matters, but also women's rights, HIV/AIDS, and most prominently, interim Youth Coordinator, among other things. But beyond those specializations, I aided in model UN preparations with the other interns in the office, editing publications, computer trouble shooting, emails and other standard office work. Through the ups and downs, there was always much to be done and everyone in the office was part of it.
This isn't to say that it was all work and no fun. The World Federation gave me the opportunity to experience the inter-workings of the United Nations first hand, as I attended meetings and sat in on major events at the UN headquarters. I was also invited to attend receptions hosted by embassies and weekend retreats put together by non-profit networks. That is to say, along with the work of an employee, I enjoyed the status of an employee, something rare in the world of interns.
My time at the World Federation lived up to my expectations, and then some. I was exposed to the world outside academia, both the good and the bad. The semester spent within the office in DC1 tower, across the street from the United Nations, gave me a valuable first step into the professional world of Diplomacy and International Relations. My internship at the World Federation of United Nations Associations certainly was an educational experience and something I do not regret in the least.
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"The longest journey is the journey inwards. Of him who has chosen his destiny, who has started upon his quest for the source of his being." Dag Hammarskjold
The year 2005 was a fundamental year for me. It defined who I am, what I want in life and who do I want to become. I owe much of the year to the opportunity that a few fortunate individuals get. For six months I was in New York City fulfilling the role of the first Youth Coordinator for the World Federation of United Nations Associations. Who am I? My name is Incia Zaffar Khan I am a 22 year old student at Carleton University in Canada pursuing an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Human Rights. My admiration and loyalty to the United Nations began in high school when I participated in Model United Nations and developed a passion for diplomacy and international relations
These commitments to the United Nations lead me to path that has forever changed my life. I was about to embark on a journey that I know was going to be exciting and challenging yet many surprises would be awaiting me….
From the very first at WFUNA I was immersed within the United Nations environment and attended one of the many historical milestones at the United Nations last year. My first day I was present for the Informal interactive hearings of the General Assembly with non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and the private sector. It was a surreal feeling sitting in the General Assembly and sharing the same space as the Deputy Secretary-General, GA President, Ambassadors and Diplomats and other renowned people. Beginning this day on I have had the honor to meet, question and observe remarkable individuals like Kofi Annan, Arun Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi's grandson), Alyssa Milano, Michael Douglas, Shirin Ebadi and Dikembe Mutombo. I have attended workshops, film screenings, panel discussions, photo exhibitions and social events.
This internship at WFUNA allowed me to explore my potential in all fields. I did researching, event planning, interviewing, writing and liaising with UNAs, NGOs and UN agencies. The environment at the WFUNA Secretariat in New Yorkemphasizes on getting the most from this experience and encourages the interns to be independent, active and get as much involved and familiar with the UN family. It is because of this support that I was able to work with other organizations on projects. I was at the World Summit 2005 acting as a Media Liaison Assistant and I had the privilege to see world leaders deliberate at the United Nations. Furthermore, I was a member on a Youth Advocacy Team campaigning in support of the Culture of Peace to the Permanent Member State Missions at the United Nations. The success of your work can found on (http://decade-culture-of-peace.org/youth.html). I had the chance to volunteer for the United Nations Staff Relief Committee for the Earthquake in South Asia. It is through WFUNA's network that I am continuing with my passions in life and indulging in what sparked my devotion for the United Nations by being involved with Model United Nations. WFUNA associated me with UNA-Canada, who selected me to go India for the 2nd WFUNA Asia Pacific Model United Nations and the Canadian international Model United Nations. Furthermore, it is through WFUNA's connections that I am currently doing another internship with Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS as a Local Toronto YouthForce Coordinator preparing for the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto, Canada 13-18 August 2006.
WFUNA gave me empowerment, confidence and immense knowledge and initiated undiscovered talents. Through this internship I have the inspiration to be part of 'We the Peoples' who are helping to change and shape this world for the better. If you are reading this I know you are already interested to join this movement so get involved give your time!
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To all those looking to learn more about the UN system and gain experience in the international field – consider an internship at the World Federation of UN Associations in New York.
An internship as ‘Disarmament Coordinator’ at WFUNA gave me wonderful insight into the processes and practices of the UN system. I entered it with little previous knowledge of disarmament, but left it with a strong understanding of the intricate web of history, policy, strategy, diplomacy and ideology involved in international disarmament. I was fortunate to meet, and even work along-side, some of the key international figures in the disarmament field.
The most valuable aspect of a WFUNA internship is independence and responsibility bestowed upon all interns. “Your internship will be as successful as you make it” will become a fitting mantra. If you are good with people and are not shy to make a name for yourself, then this internship gives you a very long leash to do so. Meeting people and building partnerships is what the UN (and diplomacy) is all about. The great thing about WFUNA is that interns are encouraged to leave the office, attend meetings, establish or maintain networks and become familiar with the people and processes involved in the world’s most important international organisation.
A WFUNA internship will equip you with many different skills valuable in a wide array of careers and pursuits. Research, analysis, reporting, presenting, drafting and writing are common components of many interns’ experiences. Getting the opportunity to fulfil these tasks in an international environment is very beneficial to the intern and the organisation.
In short, taking on an internship at WFUNA will reward those who are active and enthusiastic, with a very unique experience. You will be challenged, you will learn more than you could hope to learn through books and classes, and you will enjoy doing it too. I wholeheartedly recommend the WFUNA internship programme and I’m not the first, nor will I be the last, to do so.
My name is Sarah Maitland, from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and I have just completed my summer 2005 internship at the WFUNA office in New York.
How I found my way to WFUNA
As part of my Masters degree in translating and interpreting I took a module on International Relations and International Organizations, and it was this course that first peaked my interest in the IR field. I realized that I wanted to learn much more about the UN system and its work. I came to WFUNA hoping that I might be able to help the organization's efforts through my language skills and that I might combine my love of languages with my interest in international affairs. But in reality, as future interns will find, the experience at WFUNA provided me with everything I had been looking for and much, much more besides.
My work at WFUNA
Soon after starting the internship it became clear that I had arrived at a very exciting time for the UN. With the NGO Interactive Hearings with the General Assembly in June and the release in the same month of the Draft Outcome Document for the September Summit, I had come in the middle of a busy and exciting process. All of this activity was focused around the Millennium Review Summit due to take place in September 2005, where 180 Heads of State will meet to agree upon major new reforms for the UN system. The June Draft Outcome Document represented the working reform proposals. During my internship the General Assembly President, his facilitators and the Member States were busy shaping, refining and modifying this Draft proposal, with a view to presenting the final version for approval by Heads of State during the Millennium Review Summit in September. Part of my work involved researching the background to the reform agenda - learning about the Millennium Development Goals and reading background papers and reports leading up to the Draft Document - and then tracking developments in the process throughout the summer.
In July a new version of the Draft Outcome Document was released, and I analyzed this document line-by-line, looking at which parts had changed, what had been added and deleted, and considering at the same time to what extent the June version reflected points made on the Millennium Review agenda at the Interactive NGO Hearings. I attended a study group made up of representatives from NGOs in the Millennium +5 NGO Network, formed to look at the July Document and highlight the points for concern, positive points and points which could have been improved. I then helped draft a position paper on the July Document, indicating these findings. This paper was published on the Reform the UN website (www.reformtheun.org )
Following the release of the July version, the General Assembly President held Plenary Sessions with Member States about the reform proposals. I was able to attend these Sessions and take note of the interventions made by the various Delegations on the different areas for reform. Many of the States produced position papers detailing their stance on some of the most-discussed areas for reform, including the proposed Peacebuilding Commission, the Human Rights Council, the Responsibility to Protect, Terrorism and Management and Security Council reform. My analysis of these papers then formed the basis for our document on the main international responses to the key areas for reform. When the new version of the Document was released in August, following the interventions by Delegations at the Plenary Sessions, we drafted a review of the Document, observing not only the additions and deletions that had taken place vis-à-vis the July version, but also considering the significance of the alterations and the stance of the various Member States involved.
Aside from tracking developments in UN reform, I have been assisting our Communications Officer in the WFUNA website management duties, posting and amending pages on our site and taking information sent to us by our member United Nations Associations and formatting them.. I have also had the opportunity to use my language skills to provide adhoc telephone interpreting, translation of official WFUNA letters to Francophone UNAs, as well as simultaneous interpreting at the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) international conference From Reaction to Prevention: Civil Society Forging Partnerships to Prevent Violent Conflict and Build Peace.
Future plans and advice for interns
As my internship comes to an end I have a renewed commitment to pursue a career in the field of International Relations. In the short and medium terms I plan to return to Northern Ireland and consolidate the experiences and competences I have gained at WFUNA by interning part- time for the United Nations Association of Ireland as they establish cooperation with the United Nations Association of the United Kingdom that is to be based in Belfast. I am also planning to deepen my knowledge and expertise in development by pursuing a postgraduate diploma in development management. After that, my plans are very much in development; I may consider working directly in the field or I may move towards work at the Foreign Office/Department of Foreign Affairs. What I do know is that my experience at WFUNA has been instrumental in helping me not only deepen my knowledge of the UN system, development and international affairs, but has also helped me focus efforts towards my future career.
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My name is Susan Kayonde, I recently completed a summer internship with the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA). I come from Uganda, and am a lawyer by training. It is a pleasure to share with you some of my experiences during this time.
How it all began
I had been an active member of United Nations Association (UNA)-Uganda, right from my days at university and was involved in activities and programs run by the Association, such as seminars and conferences for several years. Fresh from Law School, I was more than delighted when the Secretary -General and the Administrator encouraged me to apply for this internship. As the cliché goes, the rest was history!
The Experience
Being the only intern from Africa, it seemed befitting that I take responsibility of the African Programs. Together with the Associate African Program Co-ordinator, we had the task of liaising with African UNAs, and to represent WFUNA at meetings pertaining to the continent at the UN.
The most challenging, but certainly exciting role was to organize the first ever African Regional Model UN (ARMUN) Conference as well as the capacity building workshop for African UNAs, events that were held in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The ARMUN conference was organized by WFUNA, together with UNA-South Africa with a view of bringing together university level students from Africa to simulate the UN Millennium Summit that was to be held just a week after the ARMUN. For me, this was more than just a conference as the students were to come up with a resolution containing the 10 priority areas that they believed should be undertaken if the Millennium Development Goals were to be met in Africa.
In the run up to the conference, I was able to meet or make contacts with representatives of some African country missions to the UN to bring to their attention the significance of this Conference that was taking place at such an opportune time. I was also given the opportunity to develop my fundraising skills by approaching possible sponsors for the ARMUN conference such as UNDP. Bringing together people from several countries certainly necessitated that I keep effective communication with the members of African UNAs. Hitherto, I had not really appreciated how much the continent is lagging behind in terms of communication technology. The underlying difficulties faced in trying to maintain communication between New York and Africa, were made very apparent.
I was given the opportunity to attend the ARMUN conference in Stellenbosch, which brought together youths from over 20 African countries. I was particularly astounded to watch students from University of Stellenbosch-youths devote all their time and energies to organize an event of this magnitude, and make it a success that it was. Even more enriching was listening to students from Africa discuss issues that touched their everyday lives such as poverty, war, HIV\ AIDS ,child labor and proceed to make a resolution of the most important issues that should be considered by World leaders if indeed African is to come out of its despondency .The resolution is available on the WFUNA website:
http://www.wfuna.org/what/education/beijingmun/armun_resolution.cfm
Having organized the workshop for strengthening the African UNA, it was very fulfilling to listen to participants share experiences on how to make their associations more effective in their communities.
The experience that one can gain while doing an internship with WFUNA solely lies on one's ability to utilize the opportunities that are there. Located at the UN headquarters, WFUNA gives you the opportunity to meet and create networks with people from all walks of life who may share your visions, and aspirations.
The internship certainly boosted my confidence to work towards that which I desire to achieve. In a cosmopolitan city as New York, your outlook on life is bound to be altered for the better and one is able to make friends from all over the world. I can confidently say that when I go to Argentina, Ireland, Pakistan, Canada, Sweden or New York ,I will have a place to stay! My fellow interns will be there!
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 My name is Goffe Jensma and I was an intern at the World Federation of UN Associations (WFUNA) office in the Summer and Fall of 2004. I would like to share my experiences to show you the many advantages of having an internship here.
Many people and students around the world are interested in the activities of the United Nations as it deals with numerous subjects that are of great value to the world.
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