Home > Academics > Concentrations > UNSP > Contact
Events
Spring 2009
Tuesday, April 7
Haiti—A Future Beyond Peacekeeping?
The United Nations Studies Program (UNSP) hosted a panel discussion focusing on the relationship between peacekeeping and development in Haiti. The event followed the recent mission of a SIPA research group to Haiti, which was facilitated by the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Speakers included representatives from the
United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations and other branches of the UN.
Video 1 (Flash Player) 
Video 2 (Flash Player)
Video 3 (Flash Player) 
Video 4 (Flash Player) 
Wednesday, January 28
Stabilizing a country? What does it mean, what does it take?
The case of Haiti: A Conversation with Members of the Security Council
IAB 1512
Panelists:
Ambassador Jorge Urbina, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica
Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Permanent Representative of Brazil (MTC)
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Deputy Permanent Representative of France
Jeffrey Delaurentis, Minister Counselor, United States Mission to the United Nations
Moderator:
Professor Elisabeth Lindenmayer, Director, UN Studies Program, SIPA.
See flyer
Fall 2008
Wednesday, November 12
The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo
IAB 1512
Screening of The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo an Oscar winning documentary by Lisa F. Jackson
Panelists:
Joseph T. Mbangu, Congolese Attorney. International Outreach for “The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo
Moderator:
Professor Elisabeth Lindenmayer, Director, UN Studies Program, SIPA.
Co-sponsor Women’s Humanitarian Network
See flyer
Monday, October 27, 2008
Women in United Nations Peace Operations: Increasing the Leadership Opportunities
Deutsches Haus, 420 W. 116th St.
Women’s Humanitarian Network (WHN) and Women in International Security (WIIS) panel on WIIS report “Women in United Nations Peace Operations: Increasing the Leadership Opportunities”
Panelists:
Ilene Cohn, Special Assistant to the Assistant-Secretary-General UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations
Jolynn Shoemaker, Executive Director, Women in International Security Camille Pampell Conaway, Independent Public Policy Researcher, Co-Author of the WIIS study
Moderator:
Professor Elisabeth Lindenmayer, Director, UN Studies Program, SIPA.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Eight years after the Brahimi report: What have we learned?
IAB 1501
Panelists:
Jean-Marie Guehenno, Former UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Head of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations
General Maurice Baril, Former Military Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General
Jane Holl Lute, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support
Eugene Ngalim, Founder of the African Youth Forum for Peace, a first-hand account about young people living in conflict zones
Moderator:
Elisabeth Lindenmayer, Director, UN Studies Program, SIPA, Columbia University
Reception To celebrate UN Day and honor 60 years of peacekeeping, the panel discussion was followed by a reception
Saturday-Sunday, October 10-11
Retreat Fall 2008
On Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 October 2008, the United Nations Study Program at SIPA, Columbia University, in conjunction with the UNSP Working Group that supports the Program, held its first ever retreat. 26 students joined the Director of the Program, Professor Elisabeth Lindenmayer, in a beautiful location in Connecticut for two days of interaction and reflection on the vision and goals of the program.
Through frank and constructive dialogue, the event was a wonderful opportunity for the Program and Working Group to continue building a strong synergy through developing activities that compliment and enhance students’ knowledge and exposure to the United Nations. The UNSP enjoys support from a dedicated, vibrant, and creative Working Group that helps translate the Program’s vision into concrete initiatives.
Through the dynamic discussion that took place on the retreat and the positive feedback from participants, it is clear that the UNSP is developing in line with student’s needs, and will constantly strive to do so. The Program will continue therefore to organize events and panel discussions to facilitate students’ learning and interaction with key UN figures; It will develop its research capacity, giving students the ability to explore issues in depth as well as, when appropriate, to visit the field; and it continues with its outreach work, linking with other organizations working on UN issues.
The UNSP wishes to thank the participants, and looks forward to the UNSP Retreat 2009!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The Food Crisis. Hunger turns to anger. A priority of the United Nations?
IAB 1501
Panelists:
John Holmes, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Ajaykumar Manubhai Vashee, President, Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU), and of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP)
Moderator:
Elisabeth Lindenmayer, Director, UN Studies Program, SIPA, Columbia University
Co-sponsors: Economic and Political Development Concentration (EPD), the Conflict Resolution Program, the Humanitarian Affairs Program, and SIPA Pan-African
Network (SPAN). (Flash Player)
Wednesday, September 10
The Democratization of the Security Council: A Breakthrough?
Panelists:
Ambassador Maged A. Abdelaziz
permanent representative of Egypt to the United Nations
Ambassador Augustine P. Mahiga
permanent representative of Tanzania to the United Nations
Ambassador John Sawers
permanent representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations
Ambassador Christian Wenaweser
permanent representative of Liechtenstein to the United Nations
Commentator : Ambassador Colin Keating, Executive Director of Security Council Report
Moderator:
Elisabeth Lindenmayer, Director, UN Studies Program
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
1512 IAB
Seating will be on a first come, first served basis
See flyer
For further information please contact Emanuelle Girsowicz eg2390@columbia.edu.
Events by the United Nations Studies Program Working Group
Thursday, October 23, 2008
UNSPWG UN Day Benefit
Taj Lounge
Description: In honor of UN Day, the UNSPWG organized its first ever fundraising benefit event at Taj II Lounge. Attendees came together in order to celebrate the United Nations and were given the opportunity to enter into the first ever UN Executives Raffle – a chance to win breakfast/dinner with high level UN staff members including: Jane Holl Lute, Jean Marie Guehnno, Bob Orr, Radhika Coomaraswamy, Thoraya Obaid and Professor Lindenmayer. Proceeds from the event were shared with UNICEF’s Global Fund Against HIV/AIDS.
Friday-Saturday, October 10-11, 2008
UNSPWG/ UNSP Retreat
Description: The United Nations Studies Program along with the UNSP Working Group organized their first ever retreat on the weekend of 10-11 of October.
The UNSP/UNSPWG retreat aimed to encourage dialogue between the Program Director and students as well as foster exchanges among all attendees, in recognition of the growing student interest in the United Nations and the role of the organization in addressing global affairs.
Spring 2008
Tuesday, May 6
Event conducted by the Women's Humanitarian Network (WHN), a forum initiated by students, and inspired and supported by the UN Studies Program:
Playing the Game v. Changing the Game: Women's Leadership
Speakers:
Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Management
Susana Malcorra, Deputy Executive Director and COO of the World Food Programme United Nations Under-Secretary-General Designate for the Department of Field Support
Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund United Nations Under-Secretary-General
Karen Pierce, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations
Susan Purdin, Senior Technical Advisor on Reproductive Health International Rescue Committee
Tuesday, April 22
Failed States or Failed Wars? Afghanistan and Iraq
Speaker:
Lakhdar Brahimi, former UN Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on Iraq, and Special Envoy to Afghanistan, Chair, Independent Panel on the Safety and Security of the United Nations Staff Worldwide
Tuesday, April 1
Perspectives on the United Nations and Development
Speaker:
Kemal Dervis, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme
Wednesday, March 19 - Wednesday, April 2
UNSP Picture Exhibition in SIPA
Description: The Exhibition of UN Peacekeeping Operations was displayed on the first floor of the SIPA building. Photos depicted peacekeeping officers working in various capacities in the countries of Haiti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Lebanon, Timor-Leste, Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan.
Tuesday, March 4
The United Nations and the Politics of Environment, New Partnerships
Speakers:
Ambassador Angus Friday, Permanent Representative of Grenada to the UN
Ambassador Claude Heller, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the UN
Ambassador Ismat Jahan, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, Chairman of LDC
Ambassador Ajai Malhotra, Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN
Ambassador Peter Maurer, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the UN
Juanita Castaño, Director of UNEP Office in New York
Wednesday, February 6
Can the United Nations meet the challenges of the 21st Century?
Speakers:
Radika Cooramaswany, Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children in Armed Conflict
Bob Orr, Assistant Secretary General for Policy Planning, Office of the Secretary General
Alvaro de Soto, Former Special Representative of the Secretary General
Stephen Schlessinger, former Director of the New School's World Policy Institute, author of Act of Creation
Jim Traub, New York Times, author of Best Intentions
Events co-sponsored by the United Nations Studies Working Group
Wednesday, April 16
Women as Leaders in Change & Development
Speakers:
Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO, Women’s World Banking
Jo Weiss, Senior Vice President and Director of Workplace Strategies, Lehman Brothers
Mayada El-Zoghbi, Managing Partner, Banyan Global
Mary Fridley, Director of Development, Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO)
Fran Laserson, President, Moody’s Foundation
Monday, April 14
The Fundamentals of Fundraising
Speaker:
Per Stenbeck, International Fundraising Director of UNICEF
Fall 2007
Thursday, November 29
Documentary Screening: Shock Waves, by Pierre Mignault & Helene Magny
Film Synopsis: Learning from experiences of the past, Public Information has become a vital part of UN Peacekeeping. Shock Waves documents the story of Radio Okapi, the only radio station with national coverage in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Speakers:
Martial Asseme, Radio Producer, formerly with Radio UNOCI Cote D’Ivoire
Douglas T. Coffman, Information Officer, Peace and Security Section
Thursday, November 1
Documentary Screening: Liberia: An Uncivil War
Film Synopsis: The documentary provides an in-depth case study of one of the many brutal civil wars which have sprung up like wild fires across Africa.
Co-Sponsors: The Human Rights Working Group, The Human Rights Program, and The Humanitarian Affairs Program
Tuesday, October 23
Child Soldiers & The Silent Cost of War: What has the United Nations done for them?
Speakers:
Ishmael Beah, former child soldier, author of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert, Permanent Representative of France to the UN, Chairman of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict
Nicolas Michel, Under-Secretary General, Office of Legal Affairs, UN
Hilde Johnson, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF
Jo Becker, Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch
Tonderai Chikuhwa, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict
Wednesday, October 17
UN Peacekeeping Operations: How are they planned, implemented, and supported?
Speakers:
Colonel Ian Sinclair, Chief Military Planning Service, UNDPO
Nick Birnback, Acting Chief, Public Affairs Team, Office of the Under-Secretary General, UNDPO
Steven Vigil, second-year SIPA student, former UN staff member, UNDPO
Monday, September 10
The Reform of the Security Council: Evolution or Revolution? Myth or Reality?
Speakers:
Ambassador Vanu Gopala Menon, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Singapore to the UN
Ambassador Kaire Munionganda Mbuende, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Namibia to the UN
Ambassador Christian Wenaweser, Permanent Mission of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the UN
Ambassador Claude Heller, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the UN
Commentator:
Ambassador Colin Keating, Security Council Report