After my sentiments following the United Nations Graduate Study Program (UNGSP) and my fight to maintain my idealism, I never expected my next blog would have the title "UNICEF, EMOPS." Alhamdudillah, I've been guided and given this great opportunity that is slowly restoring my faith and confidence in the UN system.
So what is EMOPS exactly? It's the UNICEF acronym for the Office of Emergency Programmes where I now intern in Geneva! The UNICEF speaker who addressed my UNGSP class was kind enough to send my resume to her co-workers and for that I am very thankful! In retrospect, I am much more grateful to the administration of the UNGSP! Perhaps the lesson to be learned here is this: a treasure may lie in front of us, but often we need to take a step back to really understand and appreciate its true beauty.
I am so excited that my Path to Peace has brought me back to Geneva for another 3 months! GS and I were actually interviewed by the UN Communications department as "future UN prospects" for the OHCHR website, so perhaps there was something to that:)) And I am so happy as my UN dreams live on again and my idealism has returned!!! And maybe, just maybe I can one day make the world a better place:))
So a bit about UNICEF's mission for those wanting to learn more. It is guided by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) with a special mandate to protect children and women across the world. On an operational basis, it uses a sectoral cluster approach to provide health, education, protection, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and nutrition services to children and women.
At the heart of the organization is an overall theme of the importance of partnership in combatting the issues of human insecurity facing today's women and children. UNICEF works with other UN agencies, such as UNHCR, UNDP, and UNIFEM, to coordinate emergency response within a conflict. It's unique comparative advantage lies in its wide range of partners , from civil society, media, the corporate sector, governments to knowledge partners and academic institutions. Further, UNICEF does not rely on the general UN pool for funding but is sponsored by donations from you: individuals and sponsors. This has had a positive impact within the organization in reducing some of the administrative and bureaucratic problems associated with other UN organizations.
So what specifically is my job? I work primarily as a research assistant for the 2010 Humanitarian Action Report (HAR). It is a flagship document used for fundraising and advocacy for 28 countries in emergencies across the world. It's been a great experience so far and I'm very, very thankful for the amazing team I work with. I've had to liase with country offices and I've done a great deal of research on the major issues anticipated to affect children in 2010: the financial crisis, climate change and sexual violence.
But more than anything, it's been a true learning experience for me! It has introduced me to a new world of humanitarian policy and enhanced my burgeoning interest in gender and conflict! UNICEF has also been an eye opener to the UN world which I'm starting to enjoy, appreciate and love! I will write shortly about my trip home to Trinidad and Tobago to facilitate the conflict and peacebuilding track of the Youth Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
I'm happy to have my two paths in front of me and in time and after lots of prayer, will decide which is the right path or if perhaps there is a path that links the UN and conflict to my sweet, sweet Trinbago! Cheers to all my readers!
So what is EMOPS exactly? It's the UNICEF acronym for the Office of Emergency Programmes where I now intern in Geneva! The UNICEF speaker who addressed my UNGSP class was kind enough to send my resume to her co-workers and for that I am very thankful! In retrospect, I am much more grateful to the administration of the UNGSP! Perhaps the lesson to be learned here is this: a treasure may lie in front of us, but often we need to take a step back to really understand and appreciate its true beauty.
I am so excited that my Path to Peace has brought me back to Geneva for another 3 months! GS and I were actually interviewed by the UN Communications department as "future UN prospects" for the OHCHR website, so perhaps there was something to that:)) And I am so happy as my UN dreams live on again and my idealism has returned!!! And maybe, just maybe I can one day make the world a better place:))
So a bit about UNICEF's mission for those wanting to learn more. It is guided by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) with a special mandate to protect children and women across the world. On an operational basis, it uses a sectoral cluster approach to provide health, education, protection, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and nutrition services to children and women.
At the heart of the organization is an overall theme of the importance of partnership in combatting the issues of human insecurity facing today's women and children. UNICEF works with other UN agencies, such as UNHCR, UNDP, and UNIFEM, to coordinate emergency response within a conflict. It's unique comparative advantage lies in its wide range of partners , from civil society, media, the corporate sector, governments to knowledge partners and academic institutions. Further, UNICEF does not rely on the general UN pool for funding but is sponsored by donations from you: individuals and sponsors. This has had a positive impact within the organization in reducing some of the administrative and bureaucratic problems associated with other UN organizations.
So what specifically is my job? I work primarily as a research assistant for the 2010 Humanitarian Action Report (HAR). It is a flagship document used for fundraising and advocacy for 28 countries in emergencies across the world. It's been a great experience so far and I'm very, very thankful for the amazing team I work with. I've had to liase with country offices and I've done a great deal of research on the major issues anticipated to affect children in 2010: the financial crisis, climate change and sexual violence.
But more than anything, it's been a true learning experience for me! It has introduced me to a new world of humanitarian policy and enhanced my burgeoning interest in gender and conflict! UNICEF has also been an eye opener to the UN world which I'm starting to enjoy, appreciate and love! I will write shortly about my trip home to Trinidad and Tobago to facilitate the conflict and peacebuilding track of the Youth Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
I'm happy to have my two paths in front of me and in time and after lots of prayer, will decide which is the right path or if perhaps there is a path that links the UN and conflict to my sweet, sweet Trinbago! Cheers to all my readers!
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