The School of Social Sciences hosted two weeks of events as part of a field trip which featured high profile experts and policy makers from international organisations.
Generously funded by the Quintin Hogg Trust, the School of Social Sciences organised the two-week ‘hybrid field trip’ of several international organisations in the very heart of Westminster’s Regent Street campus. The field trip involved sessions with high-level experts from the United Nations, the European Parliament, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), among others.
The events aimed at providing a unique opportunity for students to closely engage with influential experts and policy makers from major international organisations; enhance students’ deep and experiential learning in the of fields of global governance, international development and diplomacy; and contribute to students’ employability through interactive and focused workshops with such organisations.
An immersive and interactive half-day session with Michael Emery, IOM’s director of Human Resources with 30 years of UN experience, which was focused on ‘demystifying careers’ at the United Nations agencies. Manuela Renjo from the European Parliament offered a fascinating session on the role of the European Parliament in International Relations, while also dedicating time to a detailed discussion of entry points to the EP. Felipe Queipo, the Civil Society focal point of the UN’s Department of Global Communications in New York, delivered several engaging sessions on public diplomacy and youth leadership, civil society and international relations. He also dedicated a half-day interactive session to building careers at the United Nations.
The events also included sessions with international NGOs and think tanks, including a session with Shirin Heidari, the president of the Geneva-based NGO ‘GENDRO’ which advocates for gender and sex equity in public health, and also a visit to the offices of the ODI, a leading global affairs think tank, where students took part in a fascinating workshop with ODI’s Chief Executive Sara Pantuliano.
Participants also had the chance to take part in two virtual tours of the United Nations’ New York offices, focusing on themes of the Sustainable Development Goals, and peace and security. The two-weeks of events were wrapped up with a panel discussion with some of our alumni who have built careers internationally.
Talking about the field trip, Becci Dugdale, a student on the International Relations BA Honours course, said: “The field trip was a fantastic way to apply theory to the world of work, and to have guest speakers from key international institutions was an invaluable experience. Hearing from people already working within these institutions allowed me to better understand how the work of their organisation aligns with my career and development goals. I really benefited from the honest insight into the UN applications process and feel much more prepared for how to tailor an application.”
Thelma Mbawuni, a postgraduate student in International Relations said the field trip was: “One of the most eye-opening experiences I have ever been a part of. Aside from being able to meet lots of new people and expand my networking abilities, I participated in activities that broadened my mindset and gave me more insight as to the kind of career I could have in international relations.”
Tathy Yoka-Mpela, studying on the International Relations BA Honours course, added: “The sessions have left a fantastic impression on me. Before these sessions, I didn’t have any knowledge of the fields we have learned and after the sessions, I have come out with much more experience, valuable feedback and practical advice on how to approach working for an international organisation. This trip has fuelled my desire to pursue a career in this field”.
Dr Sahar Taghdisi Rad, the organiser of this fieldtrip and Course Leader of the International Relations and Development BA Honours course, said: “The idea behind these events is to provide our students with unique opportunities to gain direct exposure to organisations and experts that shape global discourse and practice in fields that are of interest to our students. Such direct interactions could substantially influence students’ academic studies, motivation and confidence, and professional development prospects.”
The field trip also provided an opportunity to build on and expand Westminster’s strategic relations with key international partner institutions. As part of the events, an institutional Agreement was signed between the University and the UN Migration Agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This supports our recently launched IOM internship programme and solidifies the relationship between the two institutions.
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