Hi. I'm Wendy Liao. I'm a fourth-year undergraduate studying Public Affairs and Policy Management with a specialization in Human Rights at Carleton University in Ottawa. Next year, I plan to go to grad school for global justice.
I've been wanting to do something bigger and better with my life for years. Now I have a real opportunity.
Starting in May, I will be working as an Intern for three months at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City for the Executive Office of the Secretary General (More details below). NEW YORK CITY! THE UNITED NATIONS!! How crazy is that?!
Pretty damn crazy. And unfortunately, pretty damn expensive as well. As with most internships, this assignment does not provide any support for living expenses, accommodation, insurance, visa or any other fees. My estimate is that this will be about $5000 (USD) but converted to Canadian is $6571.
This is where I'm asking you to help me in my cause. I am asking for anything from $5 onwards. Everything helps.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to help enhance my goal to become an advocate for social change and for improving the lives of people around the world.
It will be an opportunity to learn about international peacekeeping environment which works to safeguard and strives for justice for the victims of sexual abuse and exploitation. The opportunity to confront this issue in the field will be invaluable, giving me a solid foundation of real-world experience.
Thank you for your time and help. Please do not hesitate to e-mail me for any questions.
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Background on this new UN initiative:
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization to promote international cooperation. Facing a series of ongoing allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently named Jane Holl Lute, an American official with wide-ranging United Nations experience, to coordinate efforts to curb the scourge and the reports of sexual assault, rape, and abuse perpetrated by United Nations Peacekeepers.
This new division is formally called the Office of the Special Coordinator on Improving the UN Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
This is part of a series of measures being taken following reports of abuse by international peacekeeping forces in the Central African Republic (CAR), the latest of which surfaced in 2015 with the UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) identifying seven new possible victims.
The High-Level External Independent Review Panel on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by International Peacekeeping Forces in the Central African Republic submitted its report on 17 December 2015.
Within the organization, I will be contributing through research, data collection and analysis as well as assisting in maintaining and developing the office’s information and resource tools. I would be contributing and looking at the systemic issues, fragmentation and other weaknesses identified with the issue of the Central African Republic and the reports of rape, sexual exploitation and abuse. I would be supporting the alignment of the UN’s peacekeeping and human rights systems.
My poem for you:
Don't give to me, invest in me!
This extraordinary opportunity
Will help me out in making a change.
With your help, I will arrange
This amazing cross country exchange!
I'll be doing work, reading stats and stuff
But don't worry you know, cause soon enough
I'll be right in the field-first hand-experience!
Trying to help the vulnerable-to make a difference.
Unfortunately, man our dollar's so weak
When I get to New York, it'll make my wallet leak
This is where you come in,
If you can help, please let me know
With your wonderful donations, it's "all systems go!"
So doesn't matter if it's just one five or a few,
Just know that I am so appreciative of you!
I'll be working hard,
With that UN card
I'll tell you all about it
I promise you won't regret it.
So, if you can spare us the dime
I won't waste any of your time.
The money will go to flights and visa fees
Subsistence, crackers and a New York key
(Key, get it? for a house?)