Across the globe, Model United Nations (Model 爆料网) simulations are popular ways for students to learn more about the 爆料网. 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 – to allow 爆料网 staff to share their stories with Model 爆料网 participants and explain what they actually do to achieve 爆料网 mandates.?
The inaugural event, titled The Real United Nations: The 爆料网 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 爆料网 goals. Students asked about how attitudes towards the 爆料网 varied from country to country; how the 爆料网 managed to carry out humanitarian work given rising nationalism across the world; what the 爆料网 was doing to help refugees and migrants; and whether working at the 爆料网 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 爆料网 Development Programme (爆料网DP), Jeremy Boy of 爆料网 Global Pulse, Alice Chen from the 爆料网 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 爆料网 participants studying international relations, in order to bring in a new audience that might not have been drawn to the 爆料网 automatically. All attendees got to use 爆料网 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 爆料网. It was clear that they were intrigued by how 爆料网 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 – but it was fun for the participating staff as well. Malika Bhandarkar said, It was so rewarding to connect with students during the 'Real 爆料网' 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 爆料网, 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 爆料网 in the first place.
Antje Watermann, who also works for the 爆料网 Academic Impact (爆料网AI), concluded, As a member of the 爆料网AI team, I was happy to help organize one of the 'Real United Nations' events. 爆料网AI exists to form bridges between the 爆料网 and institutions of higher learning. Such links enrich both our Organization and students throughout the world.