UN Visit Invaluable For Students
11 November 2011
The group at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
Through the meetings and special lectures they received in Geneva our students gained a better appreciation of the environment in which political decisions are made through diplomacy and negotiations between nation states, bureaucrats and non-governmental bodies.
”Programme Leader, Dr Francis Jegede
A group of University of Derby students recently returned from a field trip to Geneva, Switzerland, where they met with high profile figures from within the United Nations including the World Health Organisation, the World Trade Organisation, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN High Commission for Human Rights.
The 20 second year Joint Honours International Relations and Global Development students spent five days in the city immersing themselves in international affairs and world issues on visits to 12 UN organisations, gaining an understanding of the roles each play in international politics and global development.
As well as receiving guided tours of the key international institutions, they also observed a committee meeting of the UN Environment Programme and heard a specially organised briefing from the UN Committee for Trade and Development.
Programme Leader, Dr Francis Jegede, said: "As part of the International Relations and Global Development programme our students learn about the history and role of the UN in global development and world politics, but visiting key institutions during the trip really consolidated on this learning.
"Through the meetings and special lectures they received in Geneva our students gained a better appreciation of the environment in which political decisions are made through diplomacy and negotiations between nation states, bureaucrats and non-governmental bodies."
International Relations and Global Development student Barbara Pinto, 21, who is originally from Brighton, said: "The visit to the UN High Commission for Human Rights was invaluable to me; they really involved us in debate and explained current issues that they are dealing with around the world. It also gave me a better idea of the direction I would like my career to take once I complete my degree."
Student Alex Hamilton-Jordan, 24, from Derby, added: "It was fantastic that we got the opportunity to visit these UN organisations through our degree programme at Derby, especially as it is a learning and networking experience that very few people get to have."
For more information on the Joint Honours International Relations and Global Development degree programme at the University of Derby visit website www.derby.ac.uk/ehs
