Nehal Amer, Marina Fernando Guest Lecturer in International and Global Studies, visited the United Nations Headquarters with 19 undergraduate students from the International and Global Studies Program. This visit was part of an effort by the International and Global Studies Program to connect students to institutions working on pressing issues in international and global affairs.
Well-informed about current global affairs, the students asked many thoughtful questions on their tour of the UN Headquarters, particularly while visiting the Security Council Chamber. During the discussion, their tour guide quoted Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, saying: “We must return to diplomacy and negotiations; it is the only way.”
When the students joined an exclusive briefing with staff from the United Nations Department of Peace Operations, one student asked about national sovereignty in relation to peacekeeping missions. The response explained that a United Nations Peacekeeping mission can only be deployed with the consent of the host country, through an agreement between the Member State and the United Nations.
Dr. Amer noted: “We aim to prepare students for careers in a wide range of fields, from diplomacy and global governance to NGOs and multinational corporations. Many are interested in learning more about the work of the United Nations and other multilateral organizations.”
The students were eager to ask briefers about career paths at the United Nations. UN staff come from across the globe and represent diverse educational backgrounds and professional experiences. What unites them is a shared commitment to working toward a better future for all.
