United Nations Experience
Geneva, Switzerland
Enhance your Career
Develop Skills
Activism
A Unique Experience
Are you someone with ambition and who cares about the world? This is an opportunity for you unlike any other. Do you want to experience the UN as a protagonist rather than an observer? Then this is for you. The key differentiator is that you will be interning with a civil society organisation who work on equality issues to do with women and girls. We have collaborated with them for many years. When we say we work with them, this is not merely a superficial arrangement, but we have been active in the women’s movement for decades and have had roles within these organisations at Board level. Without the total involvement of the Civil Society Organisations who have UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) accreditation, the trip would not be possible. This means that you will find out about their organisation, help them with work at the UN before, during and after the trip, be one of their delegation attending the UN, with the same responsibilities and rights as that delegation. You will participate in all aspects of the UN process you are attending such as the main and parallel events, helping to work on the text of resolutions or participating in side events, as requested by the Civil Society Organisation. This is real participation in UN processes as a part of civil society, not simulated. This opportunity is not for those who merely wish to travel for tourism or only to enhance their CV.
Student Benefits
International Trip
Experience beautiful international Geneva.
UN experience
All events are part of the real United Nations - this is not a simulated event.
Enhanced Learning
Broaden your understanding of politics, gender, law, global governance, civil society, development, UN processes, Agenda 2030.
Increased relevant skills for study and life
Research, presentation, drafting, writing, analysis, using social media.
Career Enhancement
Improve your personal statements/cv, internship & job opportunities, increased interest in Masters and PHDs in relevant fields.
Personal Development
Experience responsibility in a high level political environment, activism, confidence, networking, reflection.
Fundraising Support
We can provide you with a tool kit to raise funds for your trip.
Alumini
Access to exclusive community of previous participants & associated organisations including joining the National Alliance of Women’s Organisations Young Women’s Alliance (NAWO YWA)
Travel with Friends
Go with friends and create amazing memories.
Parent Benefits
Invest in your child’s future
By providing career enhancement opportunities.
Leadership Qualities
Participating in this opportunity affords your daughter or son the chance to develop individual initiative, decision making and planning skills.
Enhanced Learning
They will broaden their understanding of politics, gender, law, global governance, civil society, development, UN processes, Agenda 2030.
Increased relevant skills for study and life
Research, presentation, drafting, writing, analysis, using social media.
Personal Development
Responsibilities in a high level political environment, activism, confidence, networking, reflection.
Health and Safety
Impact Travel personnel have enhanced DBS; the trips have risk assessment, health and safety, and safeguarding measures in place; we have long experience in organising this trip and offer ATOL protection on all trips.
School & Uni Benefits
Professional & Personal Development for Staff
Staff satisfaction is increased due to the opportunity to attend the trip with the students. They gain all the benefits of the experience in terms of networking and learning.
…it was a privilege to attend and it is now our duty to ensure that what we have learned finds its way to others… J.King Teacher
Fully Managed & Safe
The trip is fully managed for students safety, by a values-based company. Impact Travel personnel have enhanced DBS; the trips have risk assessment, health and safety, and safeguarding measures in place; we have long experience in organising this trip and offer ATOL protection.
Increased Reputation
Students and staff are involved in UN process and events in the UK including in venues such as the Houses of Parliament.
Student Satisfaction
Offering the trip through the university offers greater value to students thereby attracting new students including international students and enhancing retention. There is increased satisfaction with Uni choice, greater understanding of their course and enhanced skills such as research and analysis, assisting in better results in their degree.
The Programme
UN Formal Programme
Meet with Government delegations and network with diplomats and parliamentarians from around the world. Attend the UN process formal events and a variety of side events organised by UN agencies and governments. Participate in States Party discussions on resolutions.
Official Delegate
Participate as one of the delegation of a Civil Society Organisation with consultative status at the UN. You will be interning with them. Meet with the UK Government delegation. There is no charge for accreditation either by the UN or the Civil Society Organisation.
Civil Society Activities
Attend side events organised by CSOs from around the world working on all aspects of human rights. Visit the offices of CSOs working in Geneva. Meet amazing people and hear real life stories of courage, vision and sacrifice from UN agency staff and activists from around the world.
Citizen Journalist
Write reports of all the events you attend and have these published. Undertake social media, before, during and after the trip on the key issues. Conduct interviews on behalf of your Civil Society Organisation and develop your social media skills.
Give a Speech
There are possibilities to make a presentation at a side event. Due to the UN and Civil Society Organisation context, this is never guaranteed. You will need to undertake your own activism to provide real information to draw on before the trip and undertake unique research and presentation practice.
Pre-Trip Training
We provide training sessions to learn about the history of the UN and the women’s movement, how civil society engages and the UN process you are attending. You will also receive training on networking and presentation skills. You will have mentoring in how to create and deliver your speech with time to rehearse and a daily workshop in Geneva.
Other UN Processes
In additional to the formal process you are registered for, there are a variety of UN processes taking place in Geneva including Trade and Development, Right to Development, Law Commission etc. You will be able to attend formal sessions of other UN processes taking place in Palais Nations.
EBBF Conference
Participate in a joint event with the Ethical Business Building the Future organisation at the Impact Hub. Meet with Geneva entrepreneurs and business people interested in ethics and values in business.
Sightseeing
You will take a walking tour of the beautiful Botanical Gardens, the parks by Lake Geneva, the Museum of Art and Science, the lido and Fountain, the old city and climb the tower of the Cathedral.
Participant Reports from Previous Trips
UK Mission
FGM Report
Child Widows Report
Available UN Experiences
Human Rights Council
The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them.
Universal Periodic Review
UPR is a unique process that involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States, undertaken by other States Parties. The trip includes working with civil society and diplomats as part of the Human Rights Council process.
CEDAW
CEDAW inspects the work for women and girls in the countries under review that session. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about a UN mechanism in depth and see how it is used in relation to 4 countries in particular and to meet CSOs from around the world
The Package
Programme
All travel, activities and events are fully prepared.
Accommodation
At international hotel, in central Geneva.
UN Access
Accreditation with a CSO & participate as their delegate.
Civil Society Visits
Visits to CSO offices to see working life at the UN.
Side Events
Potential opportunities to give a short presentation in CSO event.
UN Training
Learn about UN processes, networking & presenting.
Mentoring
Daily briefings & training, with workshops on key issues.
Sight-Seeing
Boat ride on Lake Geneva, museums, old city, Botanical Gardens.
Our Expertise
Impact Travels has been assisting diverse people globally, especially students, to participate fully in UN processes in New York by assisting in their accreditation and events since 2005. We are passionate about the importance of the UN and the role of civil society in all of its processes and works tirelessly to ensure the greatest inclusion possible. We have been working with UN processes in Geneva since 2014.
Our Founding Director has been involved in working for and with Civil Society Organisations in the women’s movement since the 1980s and has been attending the UN since 2000. We therefore have unique expertise in the issues raised at the UN and the UN process we are involved in. She has held office with all the CSOs that provide accreditation and well understands the nuances of this special relationship with civil society and the responsibilities of this internship offer. She is a member of the civil society Geneva network.
Safety First
The trip is fully managed for safety, by a valued-based company. Impact Travels personnel have enhanced DBS. Risk assessment, health and safety, and safeguarding measures are in place. Impact Travels has long experience in organising international trips.
Will Watts
"…incredibly unique opportunity to visit the UN Human Rights Council … rare insight into the mechanisms of international politics…"
Anton Torres
“The week at the UN has opened my eyes to the problems that we are currently facing today, most of them new to me. The trip has not only allowed me to develop my ‘soft’ skills like networking and presenting but has also potentially changed my entire career plan. If anyone ever has the opportunity to take part in this trip, I wholeheartedly recommend it.”
Tom Float
“This experience has enabled be to develop a wide range of skills, including presenting networking and public speaking. It also gave me an insight into the workings of international organisations as well as showing me what I can do to try and make a positive change in the world”
Ted Williams
“This experience at the UN has put into perspective the current issues facing our world and stressed their urgency. It has really encouraged me to take an ethical stand in order to make tangible change.”
Izzy Read
“This trip has not only allowed me to learn so much about the infrastructure of the UN but has given me the opportunity to develop so many of my personal skills for example presentation and communication.”
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