SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

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UN Studies Program (UNSP)

The United Nations Studies Program at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) promotes teaching, training, and career development in the pursuit of multilateral solutions to global dilemmas. Under the direction of Elisabeth Lindenmayer, the Program brings together scholars and practitioners to address the main priorities of the UN – security, development, human rights and the environment – strengthening synergies between the Columbia community and those within the UN system.

The UN Studies Program offers courses, panels, research projects and practical opportunities to increase students’ understanding of the history, inner workings, and challenges associated with the UN’s role in the world today.It aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and insight to work towards effective and efficient solutions to global problems through multilateral cooperation. Please see the Spring 2012 UNSP Newsletter for information about recent projects.

The Program’s main areas of activity include:

• Teaching focuses first and foremost on theories of international organizations; second, on the management of the UN system; and third, on the UN’s functional areas such as peace operations and development coordination. The Program supports and complements SIPA’s regional and thematic centers, offering insights from the UN system that can enhance understanding and developments within such fields as conflict resolution in Africa, economic and political development, and the environment.
  
  
• Panels and structured discussions between experts and students explore key issues such as the Responsibility to Protect, the evolution of peacekeeping, and Security Council reform.
  
  
• The UN Studies Program conducts several research projects in partnership with the UN. The research projects are conceived by Prof. Lindenmayer in such a way that they match the research capacity available at SIPA with the research needs of the UN. For students these research projects are an opportunity to meet UN officials, conduct field research in places like Haiti, Kenya, Jordan and Uganda and gain expertise in the issues and challenges facing the UN today.
  
  
• Capitalizing on the proximity of the UN headquarters to SIPA, students gain first hand experience of the United Nations through observing key meetings of the Security Council and the General Assembly as well as attending other pertinent UN events. The Program also helps to place students as interns at the UN and offers guidance to students developing and clarifying their career paths.
  
  
• The Program’s outreach component creates links between SIPA alumni, the UN, and affiliated organizations to foster networks in New York and throughout the world. During the Fall Semester of 2009, the Director of the UN Studies Program established a new initiative entitled “Working Lunch Series” with UN Ambassadors. The purpose of these lunches is to give SIPA students access to the current thinking of the UN's diplomatic community on specific issues, while at the same time providing UN Ambassadors the opportunity to hear students' views and perspectives on topic of mutual concern and interest. It is meant to continue strengthening the relationship between the United Nations and SIPA and create an ongoing dialogue between the world of international politics and academia.
  
  
• The UN Studies Program has established relationships with such organizations as the International Peace Academy, the Security Council Report, the UN University (UNU), the UNA/USA, the UN Foundation, and many NGOs.
  
  
• The UN Studies Program works closely with the student-led “UN Studies Program Working Group”, a student-led organization that seeks to raise awareness of the UN Agenda amongst the wider SIPA community and connects SIPA students to the UN system.