Center for Global Affairs

UN IN GENEVA STUDY PROGRAM

June 19-26, 2010
X12.9997/$2,495 (airfare not included)

Geneva is the European headquarters of the United Nations, the primary seat of several of its specialized and affiliated agencies, and the center of many of its global responsibilities. This unique study tour places you in the historic Palais des Nations, the original home of the League of Nations, now the hub of international activity, and the setting for hundreds of year-round meetings and conferences. There, you meet and are briefed by senior UN officials, diplomats, key representatives of governments, and non-governmental organizations on such topics as human rights, refugees, peace and security, world health, world trade, development, HIV/AIDS, women and children, international, labor issues, and humanitarian assistance.

Early application deadline is Friday, March 12th, with full payment due by April 16th if accepted. Detailed registration instructions will be sent to you upon acceptance.

Space permitting we will continue to process applications until Monday, May 3, 2010. At that point those accepted late will have until Friday, May 7, 2010 to complete their registration and make full payment.

SITE INFORMATION
Most of the meetings are held in the historic Palais des Nations, which was the headquarters of the former League of Nations. The Palais is beautifully situated in the midst of Ariana Park with acres of gardens, sculptures and views of Lake Geneva and the Alps in the distance. You also have the opportunity to wander the halls of the Palais.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES*

• Visit the library with its exhibits of historic documents and photographs
• Attend sessions that are in progress
• Browse in the bookstore and gift shops
• Enjoy a hot or cold lunch at the UN staff cafeteria, where food is very reasonably priced

Off-site visits & activities may include (final itinerary TBA):

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)
• Permanent Missions of UN Member States and intergovernmental organizations at Geneva

Other Activities & Events:

• Sightseeing walking tour of historic Geneva whose foundations date to ancient Roman times
• Three dinners with your faculty escort, including a farewell dinner

*A Note About Walking: There is a significant amount of walking involved as most sites are within walking distance from each other. If you are not comfortable walking, we will assist with arranging taxis for you at your expense.  In cases when sites are not within walking distance, travel will be arranged by the Center for Global Affairs.

WHO SHOULD ENROLL
This program is designed for those preparing for positions in international agencies, non-governmental organizations, media, advocacy, relief assistance, students, teachers, and others whose personal and professional interests are global.

FACULTY
Accompanying the group are two experienced senior UN officials who lead briefing sessions, provide insight into the workings of the world organization, and serve as liaison between participants and the international community in Geneva.

• Maria D. Maldonado has been working at the United Nations almost since the day she finished graduate school with a Masters in Sociology in 1973. From 1974 to 1986 she was deeply involved with the preparations for Namibia’s independence; the Central America peace process; organization of international conferences; and research and preparation of reports on regions extending from the Western Sahara to Puerto Rico. From 1986 to 1995 she advanced from senior officer to deputy director of General Assembly (GA) Affairs. In this capacity she oversaw the work of the GA working groups on GA reform, Security Council reform and the Agenda for Peace. Her main functions included providing advice to the President of the Assembly, the Secretary- General (SG), the Under Secretary-General, and other senior officials and delegations on the practice and procedures of the Assembly. From 1996 to 1998 she served as Deputy Director and for a year as Officer-in-Charge of the Americas Division in the Department of Political Affairs. In this important position, she provided political advice and support to the SG and senior officials on all matters relating to the promotion and maintenance of peace and security in the Americas. Beginning in 1998, she established the Decolonization Unit in the Department of Political Affairs and served as Chief of the department until her current assignment. As Chief of the Decolonization Unit, she provided political advice and support to the GA on all matters relating to decolonization and Non-Self-Governing Territories. From January 2003 until the end of 2004, she served as Deputy Head of Mission, United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala. She is currently in the Department of Political Affairs of the United Nations. She has been the program director of the UN in Geneva Study Program since 2003.
• John Renninger retired from the UN Secretariat in 2005 after 30 years of service. He is now an international consultant and lecturer. Beginning in 1992, Dr. Renninger occupied senior positions in the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA), where he was the senior American. His last two positions were Director, Americas and Europe Division (2003-2005) and Director, Asia and Pacific Division (2001-2003). In these positions he provided political advice and helped shape the diplomatic initiatives of the Secretary-General, particularly regarding early warning, preventive action and peacemaking. He represented the United Nations at many meetings of other intergovernmental organizations, including the European Union, the Council of Europe and the OSCE. At UN headquarters he was intimately involved with the transition to independence in South Africa, where he served as an election monitor. He also helped plan the consultation leading to the independence of East Timor and played a key role in designing the UN mission dispatched to Afghanistan following the overthrow of the Taliban regime. From 1989 to 1992, he worked in the fields of inter-agency coordination and economic affairs. From 1974 to 1989 he was at UNITAR, eventually becoming Senior Advisor to the Executive Director for Research. In this position he had many contacts with the academic world and authored various books, monographs, and articles concerning UN issues. Dr. Renninger attended Northwestern University (BA, political science), The George Washington University (MA. International Affairs) and the University of Pittsburgh (PH.D., International Affairs). From 1969 to 1971 he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Accommodation at the Eden Hotel, based on double occupancy for 7 nights
• Buffet breakfasts daily
• All meetings, briefings, lectures and study materials in Geneva
• Three dinners
• Escorted walking tour of historic Geneva
• Guided tour of the Palais des Nations
• Pre-departure information including recommended readings, brochures, advisories and other materials
• Orientation Sessions in Geneva

PROGRAM NOTES
The program begins officially on Saturday, June 19th, so please bear in mind that you will need to leave the U.S. the night before, on Friday, June 18th, and arrive in Geneva early afternoon on Saturday so that you can attend the first of two important briefing sessions. The program ends on Saturday morning, June 26th. You have the option to extend your stay prior to or after the program ends, but will need to make your own arrangements with the hotel well in advance of arrival.

This course may be applied as an elective towards the Certificate in Global Affairs.

TRAVEL INFORMATION
To give you flexibility, we have NOT included airfare in the cost of the program as you may have frequent travel mileage or access to economical fares. Several airlines fly to Geneva directly or via European capitals. Before you commit to paying for your airline ticket, please check with us about the status of your application. The airport in Geneva is close to the hotel. Taxis are plentiful and reasonable.

Documents: For U.S. citizens, a valid passport is required. Be sure that it is up-to-date. Non-U.S. passport holders should check with the Swiss Consulate for your required documentation.

Call the Center for Global Affairs at (212) 992-8380, or e-mail scps.global.affairs@nyu.edu for more information.