GSPIA Interns’ blogs

Karibou, (Welcome) API

My time in Nairobi, Kenya has thus far been an amazing experience that has gone far beyond my expectations. Granted when I first arrived as a native African I had expected to ease into life here, however I was mistaken. East Africa and particularly Nairobi is certainly different than what I expected being a native Southern African. Kenyans are very much warm and welcoming people and I have taken to task the attempt to learn Kiswahili to the delight of my new friends here. Nairobi is a cosmopolitan and multicultural city surrounded by wildlife, which is very fascinating. The Nairobi national park is unique, in being the only game-reserve of this nature to border a capital city where you can go on a mini safari and get the opportunity to see some of the big five African animals.

I have been introduced to a favourite past time of Kenyans, enjoying traditional Kenyan food such as, nyama choma (roasted meat) and mukimu (a mixture made of corn, beans, potatoes, and greens mashed and fried in onions) in the local market place. The hustle and bustle of the markets and learning to haggle properly has been quite the experience. As I have come to learn one does not ask “how much” but begins a sort of dance between how much you are willing to pay and how much they are willing to sell so as not to insult them.

There are so many highlights to my time here and I am only in my second month, however I could say without a doubt the opportunity to work on the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) files as certainly been rewarding. The Canadian High Commission to Kenya is accredited to Burundi, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda and Uganda and serves as Canada’s permanent mission to UNEP and UN-Habitat.  My work has involved attending countless negotiations among member states at UN’s African headquarters (UNON) on agenda items presented in UNEP and UN-Habitat committee meetings. The opportunity to meet and discuss various topics of interest with Ambassadors and other diplomats has certainly been unbelievable. I have just had the privilege of participating and assisting the Canadian delegation led by the Assistant Deputy Minister of International Affairs, Mr. David McGovern at the 26th session of the Governing Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that was held from 21 to 24 February 2011 at the UNON compound. The highlight of that conference was hearing the Prime Minister and the President of Kenya speak, meeting Edward Norton who is a goodwill ambassador for the Convention on Biological Diversity and interacting with numerous environment Ministers from different countries.

By far my wow moments are not over. I have the opportunity to prepare for the 23rd Session of the Governing Council of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) that will be held from 11 to 15 April 2011 at the UN-HABITAT headquarters. Who knows whom I will meet there. Overall, this experience has been unbelievable I am so thankful for this opportunity. I want to thank our professors, senior-fellows and fellow students who got this program up and running. I have certainly had my eyes opened to the issues at hand that are so interrelated. Whether it is the issue of slums, of which one of Africa’s largest slums Kibera is here in Nairobi or the rhetoric of what does it mean to have a Green Economy and maintain sustainable development. Overall I am thoroughly taking it all in and enjoying the African sun, till next time…..

Buhle

Hello API students!  I see I am one of the last to check in a write a blog entry and really it is because I just have so much to say that I really cannot even put it into words.  In short, I can’t believe how much I have learned in such a short time.  And I don’t mean just through the internship, but also about life, myself, Kenyan culture etc.  Every day is a learning experience; I have pushed myself beyond my comfort zone in so many ways, so many times and it has been really good for me.  However, I will try to focus in on what I have been doing in terms of my internship for the purposes of this blog since that is probably of most interest to other API students!

At the High Commission in Nairobi I am working in the political affairs sections.  I am acting as Canada’s representative to UNEP and UNHAB; I can’t believe that I am representing Canada in these multilateral forums and the work is so interesting.  Canada is on the Council of Permanent Representatives and therefore I sit on this panel, discussing issues of the organizations’ governance, budget, plans, priorities etc.  It is a class of international organizations and global governance come to life!  So fascinating!

I also attend political events regarding Kenya and Canada’s interest here, as my colleague will be on leave throughout the summer and I will replace him.  Attending meetings of civil society groups, NGOs, and donors and hearing differing views on governance in Kenya is so interesting.  I attend meetings of the AU panel of Eminent Africans, which assesses Kenya’s progress in terms of governance reforms.  Also, since I will be here during Kenya’s referendum it is just an important time for the country more generally and I am happy to be a part of it!  I will be able to monitor bi-elections (coming up June 10) and observe the referendum.

I have been networking like crazy in terms of my interest in food security, and it is a great place to be for my MRP, given that WFP Somalia is located here in Nairobi.  I have been having lunch with contacts and just listening to their information and their perspectives.  Really, I am just being open to learn and it has been amazing!

There is just too much to say… and this blog cannot capture it all.  I am enjoying the experience so much and it is so great to be able to work on issues that I am passionate about and network with people that I find interesting and informative.  I know I have only been gone a month, and it started off rocky when I was stuck in London for a week, (and disappointingly missed the GG visit to Rwanda), but I am so happy and grateful to be here and be experiencing this!

Kyla