By: Emilie Nguyen
Greetings from Abidjan! Currently pursuing a master’s in International Development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa after a few years of working full-time as a federal public servant, I finally had the opportunity to explore an international work experience – which has been a lifelong dream of mine – through this internship program offered by the UNA-Canada.
This experience has immersed me in the inner workings of one of the UN’s most wide-reaching development agencies. The UNDP, created as we know it today in 1965, operates in over 170 countries and is a leading multilateral development organization contributing to eradicating poverty and reducing inequalities and exclusion. Its mandate includes helping countries develop policies, develop leadership and partnership skills, strengthen their institutional capacities, and share solutions to problems related to sustainable development, democratic governance, climate & adaptation and crisis response.
The UNDP remains resolutely committed to supporting Côte d’Ivoire’s sustainable development aspirations, particularly in three major areas: i) Inclusive governance, rule of law and modernization of institutions; ii) Inclusive growth and reduction of inequalities; and iii) Sustainable management of natural resources, adaptation to climate change and resilience.
Under the direct supervision of the Policy and Strategy Unit, I contributed to resource mobilization activities, strategic advisory support functions, and program activities, as well as to building partnerships and alliances with all stakeholders (i.e. external and national partners). I also participated in knowledge development and management efforts through the sharing of my academic knowledge acquired during my studies.
Throughout my internship, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside dedicated professionals who have generously shared their knowledge and welcomed me into a dynamic and fast-paced working environment. From engaging in multilateral partnership meetings, to witnessing how UNDP supports national priorities through locally grounded solutions through their many initiatives, I’ve gained invaluable insights into the field of international development, much more than I could have solely through classroom knowledge. This experience has truly given me a clearer direction toward my professional aspirations.
Working at the UNDP in Abidjan has deepened my awareness of the political, economic, and social dynamics that shape development work. I’ve studied the impacts of globalization, but was still shocked to see how every policy, interaction, program, and project is affected by it. I would recommend this internship to anyone curious about the complex and ever-shifting networks of national and international partnerships and policies.
