Across the globe, Model United Nations (Model Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ) simulations are popular ways for students to learn more about the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ. But they tend to focus solely on the work of diplomats. That's why the Education Outreach Section of the Department of Public Information (DPI) launched a new interactive lecture series called The Real United Nations ¨C to allow Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ staff to share their stories with Model Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ participants and explain what they actually do to achieve Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ mandates.?
The inaugural event, titled The Real United Nations: The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Secretariat in Action, took place at New York University (NYU) on 15 February. Sam Martell of the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), Brenden Varma of DPI and Edem Wosornu of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), engaged in a frank discussion with some 80 undergrads on how their work contributes to overall Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ goals. Students asked about how attitudes towards the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ varied from country to country; how the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ managed to carry out humanitarian work given rising nationalism across the world; what the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ was doing to help refugees and migrants; and whether working at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ felt different now that there was a new Secretary-General.
The series returned to NYU for its second session on 19 April, titled The Real United Nations: Innovating for Development. This time, Malika Bhandarkar of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Development Programme (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDP), Jeremy Boy of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Global Pulse, Alice Chen from the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ SDG Action Campaign and Antje Watermann of DPI, spoke about what they are doing to promote international development and how they are using new innovative tools to influence policy makers and ensure that no one is left behind. The event was advertised to technology students, as well as Model Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ participants studying international relations, in order to bring in a new audience that might not have been drawn to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ automatically. All attendees got to use Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ virtual reality glasses to visit refugee camps and natural disaster zones, and during the ensuing discussion, they asked how technology was transforming the work of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ. It was clear that they were intrigued by how Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ staff did not only include international relations experts but also graphic designers, visual data specialists and technological innovators.?
The two events generated much positive feedback from the students ¨C but it was fun for the participating staff as well. Malika Bhandarkar said, It was so rewarding to connect with students during the 'Real Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ' series. Fresh perspectives and candid questions re-energized my commitment to innovate for the SDGs. Alice Chen, who graduated from NYU, added, Speaking at my alma mater on the work I do at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, showing how we are breaking silos to reach the most marginalized populations to get them actively engaged in the SDGs, was a very special experience. And Sam Martell said, In DPA, we don't always get the chance to engage with young people. The students' enthusiasm was great to see and reminded me why I joined the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ in the first place.
Antje Watermann, who also works for the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Academic Impact (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵAI), concluded, As a member of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵAI team, I was happy to help organize one of the 'Real United Nations' events. Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵAI exists to form bridges between the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and institutions of higher learning. Such links enrich both our Organization and students throughout the world.