GSPIA Interns’ blogs

It is almost time to say goodbye to New York! It feels bittersweet. The friendships I have made, the valuable experience I have gained and just the feeling of being surrounded by the hustle and bustle of New York will be greatly missed. However, it has also been four long months since I have seen my family and friends in Canada and a part of me cannot wait to set foot back home. All the employees at the Canadian Mission were invited to a holiday dinner at the Ambassador’s residence today and I could not have imagined a better way to say goodbye to my New York family.

Now to continue from where I left off my last blog post…
I mentioned last time that I had started representing Canada in some informal negotiations of draft resolutions. As Thanksgiving weekend started, there was real pressure to finish discussions on these drafts and begin the silence procedure (this means that the draft resolution has been agreed upon and countries have 24 hours remaining after the resolution has been put to silence to voice out their concerns. If the silence is maintained for 24 hours, the resolution is ready for action in the general assembly). One of the negotiations that I attended before that hectic Thanksgiving weekend was on a Commodities resolution and I was told to say that Canada reserves its position for deletion of a particular paragraph. Let me tell you that even though that is all I had to say, I learned a lot about diplomacy even through that experience. There was so much pressure to end the negotiations and broker a deal and all of our like minded countries gave into a compromised text proposed by the Group of 77 (developing countries), which made things a bit awkward for me. I soon learned that even in the diplomatic world, you are nothing if your friends do not stand by you. Another interesting thing that happened that day before Thanksgiving started was that the Group of 77 wanted to introduce a new paragraph last minute on the International Decade of Soils resolution (prior to this, the resolution had almost been finalized and was ready to be put under silence). The G77 delegate actually saw me and asked me if Canada could support their new text. Even more amusing was the fact that he asked for my business card to send the text and since I am an intern and I do not have a business card, I told him I was all out! Anyways, I gave him my email address and we didn’t have any further comments to provide, so it all worked out in the end.
My most interesting experience, however, was on the draft resolution on the promotion and protection of telework. Even though most delegations were skeptical of the purpose of the resolution and no one could agree to the text, I learned and grew a lot from attending the negotiations on this resolution. Since I was the only one from Canada that ever attended the informal negotiations on this resolution, I would get emails from other delegates that had been present at the meeting in the middle of the night about certain problems they faced with regards to the resolution. I was the direct point of contact for Canada in those negotiations, which made me feel quite important!
As second committee resolutions wrapped up, I was again tasked with attending various side events and briefings for second and third committee and reporting back. Just the other day, I attended briefings on the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)’s work in Somalia and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)’s work in Mali. More recently, I also attended a meeting convened by the Open Working Group on the Sustainable Development Gaols on measuring progress in the implementation of the development goals and a briefing on the situation in the Philippines and the response of the international community. While my work has remained more or less the same on these side events and briefings as I am tasked with writing a report at the end, one thing that I would like to mention is the humbling experiences that I have run into with our Ambassador.  As I was sitting in Canada’s seat for the briefing on the situation in the Philippines , the Ambassador walked in as he had to deliver a statement on behalf of Canada later on. As I offered him my seat, he declined and made me stay seated until it was his turn to give Canada’s statement. In today’s staff meeting, the Ambassador again reiterated his appreciation for the work that the other intern and I have done for the Mission No matter what their rank or position, one thing I have learned is that everyone here is so down to earth and wonderful to work with that it will be hard leaving these guys behind. Hopefully, I am able to work my way up and come back soon!!
Au revoir!
Rabiya

November 26, 2013

Dear Friends,

So much has happened since my last blog post! The Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee) along with the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee (Third Committee) of the UN General Assembly started in October and I have been interning with the sections of the Canadian Mission that are in charge of those committees. This experience has been highly gratifying as I have learned a lot about the UN structure,  as well as the Canadian government’s priorities and interests.

When Third Committee started, I sat in many of the general debate sessions  on various agenda items. Some of the interesting sessions that I was able to attend included sessions on the use of drone technology and indigenous peoples. The session on drones was very enlightening because it’s such a new realm of technology that it’s still hard for the international community to figure out how to look at this unconventional warfare through the lens of international law. One of the interesting questions that the Special Rapporteur raised was about calculating casualties and whether those who associate with terrorists should be considered casualties as well. Of course, there was a lot of talk on human rights and the right to life as well. The first country to speak on the topic was Pakistan, and it was interesting to note countries like Brazil and Liechtenstein, who are quite annoyed at the US over spying, align themselves with Pakistan’s statement. Venezuela and Cuba did too, but those countries always have figures to pull out against the US over one thing or another, so that was expected.

The session on indigenous peoples was also quite interesting, as the Australians and the Kiwis had someone deliver their official statements. Americans, too, had someone there who commented twice or thrice on what was being said. I was the only one sitting in Canada’s seat, and all I could do was absorb it all and report back. It was quite a learning experience, to say the least. And then it got even more interesting/awkward as the rights of reply started, some of which focused on Canada’s past treatment of Aboriginals! Nothing like hearing North Korea, Iran and Syria point fingers at you for your practice of residential schools! North Korea even went as far as mentioning Bill 78 in Quebec, which banned student protests in the summer of 2012. Iran got a little too carried away, though, I must say as they commented on our treatment of minorities, and Muslims, and persons of African and Asian descent in particular. I almost laughed to myself,  because as a Muslim woman, I was almost proving the Iranian delegate’s statement wrong just by being in Canada’s seat. In fact, I have had many people act surprised when they hear that I am from the Canadian Mission. And I guess that’s actually just a testament to Canada’s rich values and principles. Yeah, things have not been easy but we’re a great country nevertheless.

As for working with Second Committee goes, I have actually started sitting in on some negotiations of draft resolutions. Some of the resolutions I am following include resolutions on the International Wildlife Day, International Year of Soils, and the International Day for the Promotion and Protection of Telework. So far, my work has included reporting back to the Mission on general comments and amendment proposals offered by other delegates. I have also filled in numerous times for colleagues on much higher priority draft resolution negotiations when they were unable to attend due to conflicting schedules. One of the really interesting ones that I went to was on the Least Developing Countries and it was interesting to see the Group of 77 (consisting of developing countries) negotiate on the text and language with other richer countries or blocs, especially the US and EU. On the whole, my work on Second Committee has been highly rewarding as it has allowed me to learn a  great deal about the negotiation process of resolutions and how resolutions get adopted.

And what’s it like living in New York in general, you ask? I got a chance to go see the Colbert Report some weeks ago! I was going to see the Daily Show but it was first come first serve and in spite of my online ticket reservation, all tickets were gone. Then I ended up at Times Square by accident. Such is life!

Take care and see you all soon!

Rabiya

Rabiya Asad, New York, United States

Dear colleagues,

To say that I am thrilled to be interning at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York is an understatement. In my first two weeks here, I was tasked with attending various briefings and reporting back to the Mission. These included briefings by the Special Representative of the Secretary General on the humanitarian situations in Yemen and Somalia, among others. I was also tasked with writing opening remarks for Canada’s ambassador to the UN as the Canadian Mission co-hosted an event in support of an organization called Lifeline, which provides support to civil society organizations under threat or attack.

As the General Assembly (GA) opened its 68th session, however, things got a lot more interesting as foreign leaders and dignitaries arrived in New York. Security was extremely tight around the UN, which was almost overwhelming at times, I must say! There were barricades EVERYWHERE and so many security check points that one had to go through. Having a UN pass and being able to go through those check points felt truly special! And of course with so many world leaders gathered at one place, the media and protestors were sure to follow suit. I soon realized that there are so many global issues that I often read about in the news but being here makes everything SO much more real! I once saw protestors holding up signs and asking for a referendum in Abyei. After going back to the Mission and researching, I realized that Abyei is a contested area between Sudan and South Sudan! I also saw another set of protestors demanding for the end of sanctions against Zimbabwe, and a group of Syrians and Iranians protesting against their regimes back home. As I was waiting to be handed my GA pass for High Level week by a colleague, I was also fortunate enough to see Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina walk by right in front of me with her entourage. I also saw Ban Ki Moon and since I was holding a folder that had the maple leaf drawn on it and “Canada” written on it as well, so I could be identified by my Canadian colleague, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Minister Baird, smiled and greeted me! Everything and everyone that I heard of on the news with regards to international relations was right here in front of me!

Some of the meetings and events that I was able to personally attend on behalf of the Canadian Mission during High Level week included a side event on “Partnerships for Digital Financial Inclusion-A Driver of Inclusive Growth,” in which I got to see Bill Gates!! I was almost afraid of coming off as unprofessional at first, but I soon learned that EVERYONE gets excited to see Bill Gates! As soon as he came out, EVERYONE took out their phones and started taking pictures! It was also a very informative session as the speakers talked about strengthening public and private sector partnerships to give the poor access to technology so that they can avail a variety of financial services and be more financially secure. I had to brief one of our development colleagues on that event later on. It was also there that I learned what a GREAT networking opportunity it is to be here at the UN. As we were waiting in line to get refreshments, I introduced myself to someone who turned out to be a member of the Norwegian parliament! I also sat beside someone from the Political Affairs section at the Luxembourg Mission, as we talked about our interests in being there and he gave me his business card.

However, sitting through the General Assembly General Debate sessions was probably the highlight of my High Level week. I got to see President Mugabe of Zimbabwe, as he said, “Shame to America.” I heard Mahmoud Abbas address the GA on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, as he demanded peace in the region. I heard the Gambian President Jammeh citing homosexuality as one of the biggest threats to mankind (he really did!). And I heard Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif highlighting the issues of American drone strikes and the contested region of Kashmir. And of course there were many other interesting and amusing speeches that I heard and had to report back on (to a very exhaustive distribution list, I must add).

Canada also co-hosted two side events during High Level week: one on child, early and forced marriages called, “Too Young To Wed” and another on maternal health and infant mortality called, “Every Woman, Every Child.” Minister Baird spoke at the former and Prime Minister Harper and Melinda Gates spoke at the latter. I really just helped out with escorting guests to the events and was the official speech runner for the PM’s event . Everyone was very concerned about logistics at those events, and I was more than happy to help out in any small way that I could.

As High Level week came to an end, I worked with friends  who were over from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to provide coverage for the High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development. I sat through an afternoon session on behalf of Canada as some of the speeches went on and have to finish writing up my report on that. The Third Committee of the General Assembly-the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee-started in October and I have also now been asked to help with coverage of their plenary sessions. I have sat through sessions on the advancement of women, drug control and crime prevention and social development. The session on social development was truly amazing because there were SO many youth delegates there! Some younger than myself! They spoke about empowering women, youth and persons with disabilities and left me feeling so hopeful and inspired. In the weeks to come, I will attend sessions on indigenous issues, the protection of children, the treatment of refugees, and the promotion of fundamental freedoms through the elimination of racism and racial discrimination. For these Third Committee sessions, I have to do a report at the end of the week on issues that I come across that may be of interest to the Canadian government.

Lastly, another ongoing project that I am working on for a development colleague is creating a reference file for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). There is the Secretary General’s report to include, the work produced by the Open Working Group on the Sustainable Development Goals and the Rio+20 summit, among others. As you may know, the target date for achieving the MDGs is in 2015 and everyone here is mobilized to work on achieving these goals and plan ahead for the post-2015 development agenda. In fact, the theme of the 68th session  of the GA is “The Post 2015 Development Agenda: Setting the Stage.” In almost all of the sessions I have attended-whether it be on the advancement of girls and women, the empowerment of youth and persons with disabilities, drug control and crime prevention, or even science and technology- recommendations have been made to include the issue at hand on the post-2015 development agenda. Those are the buzz words in town, it seems.

But if anything makes my experience here remarkable, it is just sitting in front of the placard that has “CANADA” written on it. I knew I would be working at the Canadian Mission, but it never really hit me that I would be sitting among a sea of delegates and representing Canada in my capacity at the UN until I got here. There is no better way to start off my career and I feel so blessed  and honoured to be here as I look forward to the next three months!

Cheers!

Rabiya

It took me a moment to figure out where to begin telling my Internship story, because so much has happened in so little time. The description for the internship stated the experience would be a “steep learning curve”, and it was on-point. My entries will be twofold: the Work, and the Life as an intern, since both worlds seem to exist separately in this wonderful city.

My internship is with the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC. More specifically, I work with the amazing Political Section within the Head Of Mission’s offices. If you are scrambling to figure out what HOM means, Google it now. Because the Embassy constitutes Canada’s largest mission abroad (logical since the US is its most important ally), I was afraid of getting lost in the crowd and ending up as an administrative assistant. I can assure you that it is definitely NOT the case. My experience, so far, has been nothing but memorable, extremely busy, and characterized by A LOT of learning! The internship began on January 2nd, and although I have only been on the job for two weeks, I already attend on average 2 events per day, and write 3-5 reports a week. Writing reports constitutes around 75% of the work. Another 20% pertains to debriefing colleagues and supervisors on various issues of importance to Canada and the US, and a final 5% to organizing events and attending them (I would not have missed the Inauguration Tailgate Party for the world!). While I cannot disclose which events I organized specifically, I can tell you that on my second day on the job I was tasked with strategic and logistic organizational duties for a major event, that last took place 3 years ago, and hosted Ambassadors from around the Globe! It was delivered without a hitch. Organizing this event allowed me to learn various aspects of diplomatic decorum and etiquette, as well as to meet and speak with Ambassadors and High Commissioners to gather a better understanding of how to engage such a crowd. I was also tasked with attending and reporting on the Sen. Kerry and Hagel hearings (which meant summarizing an entire 5 hours of Q&A into a one-page briefing Memo), and with debriefing the Ambassador himself on the issue!!!! The Reports are substantial work and are delivered on a daily or weekly basis to various Canadian officers at home in Ottawa, and in missions and embassies around the world.

As for my life outside of the office, it is filled with trips to neighbouring states and cities, visits to historic grounds and estates, hours of glaring at artwork at the numerous museums in DC, and simply walking around and discovering hidden gems. The Embassy also organizes group tours for all the interns, and so I have so far visited Capitol Hill and the Library of Congress. We are told the Embassy is pulling some strings for us to get a tour of the White House, but nothing is guaranteed. My list of top favourite places in Washington DC? 1) The Newseum, which holds the World’s largest Comic Book collection and displays historically memorable news clippings from around the world 2) The Hillwood Estates, where we were able to catch a glimpse at the travelling exhibit titled “Prêt à papier”, 3) The National Art Gallery, where we saw a rare appearance: Michelangelo’s David Apollo, 4) Mount Vernon, or better known as George Washington’s Home and final resting place. There are soooo many places to see and things to do, that I will list the lot of them in the next blog post. I will try and give more detail regarding my actual work and what it entails on a daily basis.

Chers collègues,
Mon stage à la Mission permanente du Canada aux Nations-Unies à New-York est malheureusement parvenu à sa fin. Bien que la perspective de retrouver famille et amis(es) pour le temps des fêtes me réjouissait, je n’ai pas pu m’empêcher d’avoir un sentiment de nostalgie lorsque mon avion survola Manhattan avant de prendre de l’altitude pour le voyage du retour. Il va sans dire que je n’oublierai jamais cette expérience unique et formatrice autant du point de vue personnel, que professionnel. Ce dernier blogue s’aventure à vous décrire la nature de mon travail à la mission canadienne ainsi que quelques facettes de la vie new-yorkaise connue lors de ces trois mois mémorables.
D’abord, après cinq années dédiées à l’étude des politiques canadiennes et des relations internationales, le stage à la mission canadienne fut l’occasion rêvée pour mettre en application les notions théoriques apprises ainsi que les aptitudes développées en matière d’analyse et de communication verbale et écrite. Pendant un peu plus de quatre-vingt jours, mon principal mandat a été d’assister aux débats et consultations de l’Assemblée générale et du Conseil de sécurité de l’Organisation des Nations-Unies (ONU) adressant les enjeux africains, et de rapporter leur contenu au Ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Commerce international (MAECI) de façon à informer la prise de décision et les politiques du Gouvernement du Canada. Également du nombre de mes responsabilités, en maintes occasions j’ai eu l’honneur de représenter et défendre les positions du Canada lors des négociations entourant les ébauches de résolutions portant sur les relations de coopération entre l’ONU et des organisations régionales telles que le Conseil de l’Europe. Une première pour un stagiaire à la mission. Durant les rares moments qui n’étaient pas consacrés à assister à ces évènements, à la rédaction de rapports ou aux rencontres du personnel de la délégation du Canada, il a été nécessaire que je développe un réseau de contact avec les stagiaires et représentants de pays alliés. En de nombreuses occasions, ces relations ont été salutaires en permettant de compléter les renseignements disponibles à l’aide d’informations privilégiées, inaccessibles par les voies formelles. Au travers cette expérience, j’ai ainsi eu le privilège de côtoyer les représentants du Canada et d’États étrangers, qui m’ont inculqué l’identification et la gestion des priorités, ainsi que les manières et le protocole propres à l’art de la diplomatie.
Ensuite, quelques mots pour décrire ma relation avec New-York. Je crois que le qualificatif qui décrit le mieux l’expérience new-yorkaise est « diversité ». Ayant vécu durant ces seuls mois dans le Bronx, à Brooklyn et même pour quelque temps sur l’île de Manhattan, mon séjour m’a aidé à comprendre ce que l’on entend par la notion de « ville-monde ». Chaque matin dans le métro, lorsqu’en route pour la mission canadienne et l’ONU, j’ai eu l’impression d’assister à une rencontre informelle souterraine des peuples-unies : Asiatiques, Africains, Sud-Américains, riches, pauvres, artistes, banquiers, analystes, jeunes et comme vieux se rencontraient pour lire, discuter, méditer ou même danser dans certain cas. New-York est le centre du monde pour les relations internationales certes, mais on y repère également des représentants et praticiens du monde de la finance, des arts, et des cuisines d’une panoplie de cultures. Ainsi, lors de mes temps libres, avec le peu de temps à ma disposition, la problématique rencontrée a été souvent de faire un choix parmi les nombreuses options disponibles. Enfin, les New-Yorkais(es) que j’ai eu la chance de rencontrer se sont montrés dans la grande majorité dignes de leur ville. Cultivés et inspirés, ils cherchent continuellement à défier et surpasser les normes établies.
Pour conclure, j’aimerais remercier l’École supérieure d’Affaires publiques et internationales d’avoir rendu possible cette expérience sans pareille. De par son sens de l’initiative et son engagement continu envers le corps étudiant, les membres du personnel de l’API font tout en leur pouvoir afin de permettre aux étudiants de prendre leur envol professionnel et d’avoir l’opportunité de jeter les bases d’une carrière à la hauteur de leurs ambitions. Je tiens également à exprimer ma reconnaissance au personnel à la Mission permanente du Canada aux Nations-Unies qui ont fait preuve d’une générosité et d’une patience extraordinaire à mon égard. Je vous remercie sincèrement.

Greetings,

Only a few weeks into the internship at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York, and it feels as though I have learned the equivalent of a year’s worth. While I fully recognize the extent to which the last five years spent studying international affairs are being put to work as I make my way through the United Nations` environment on a daily basis, there is nothing like a hands-on experience to fully appreciate the intricacies of humanity’s vivre ensemble. For my first post, I would like to address the fundamental objectives of the United Nations.

Quelques semaines à déambuler dans les corridors de l’ONU, à côtoyer les représentants des 193 États membres et à écouter leurs maintes interventions sur les enjeux pressants de notre ère, ont été suffisantes pour que j’apprécie pleinement l’ampleur du mandat que l’Humanité s’est donné en créant cette institution emblématique. L’étude de la politique canadienne permet déjà de prendre conscience du travail colossal nécessaire pour parvenir à un consensus entre des partis porteurs de différentes opinions politiques. Essayons maintenant d’exporter cette compréhension à une échelle mondiale où il est nécessaire de concilier les positions de pays avec des histoires, des cultures, et des intérêts singuliers et parfois même diamétralement opposés. En assistant hebdomadairement à ses séances, il m’a été permis de prendre la pleine mesure du poids prépondérant des cinq membres permanents du Conseil de Sécurité dans l’action ou dans l’inaction des Nations Unies. Mais, j’ai aussi noté que le degré d’efficacité de l’ONU ne doit pas seulement être mesuré selon sa capacité d’agir concrètement pour la résolution de conflits ou la préservation de la paix, mais également, et peut-être surtout, en fonction de son aptitude à maintenir un dialogue constructif entre les États et ainsi prémunir la scène internationale contre des impulsions nationalistes, spontanées et unilatérales. En explorant l’édifice de l’ONU, on observe qu’il permet aux représentants des États de se rencontrer en maints lieux : à l’Assemblée Générale et au Conseil de Sécurité bien sûr, mais également dans les comités, dans les corridors, et même dans le salon auprès du café aménagé à quelques pas des principales salles de conférences. Ils sont chaque jour bondés de diplomates qui y échangent informations et perspectives sur les différents enjeux. Sans parler du fait que les bureaux des missions permanentes sont situées pour la plupart à une distance de marche les unes des autres.

L’ONU est critiquée par certains pour son inaction face à des situations tragiques telles que le génocide au Rwanda ou plus récemment, la crise en Syrie. Et, bien qu’ils aient raison quant à l’ampleur de ces atrocités, les critiques négligent souvent les discussions, les négociations et la médiation qu’il m’est aujourd’hui permis d’observer et que l’ONU chapeaute avec l’intention que ses interventions, quand ils ont lieu, soient porteuses d’une légitimité conférée par le droit international. Le maintien d’un dialogue constructif à l’ONU est donc un objectif en soi. Il est vrai que beaucoup de travail reste à faire pour réformer les mécanismes onusiens qui encadrent ce dialogue. Je peux maintenant attester que ces efforts sont déployés et pour cause puisque, tel que le souligne Kofi Annan, « [L]a seule voie qui offre quelque espoir d’un avenir meilleur pour toute l’humanité est celle de la coopération et du partenariat. »

Finally, this morning as I write these lines, New Yorkers are preparing to face hurricane Sandy. While subways are stopped, streets deserted and UN affairs postponed in the wait of what might be the strongest storm New York as witnessed in the last century, we are reminded that Nature is a force that cannot be reckoned with. In my next post, I will give some insight on the New York lifestyle and the nature of my work at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations.

Yours,

Darren Brazeau