2021.10.26.
国連・外交インターンシップ報告:堀本 季歩(UNDP駐日代表事務所)
堀本 季歩(ホリモト キホ)
総合政策研究科 総合政策専攻 修士2年(国連・外交コース履修)
関西学院大学 総合政策学部卒業
実習機関:国連開発計画(UNDP)駐日代表事務所(東京都)※インターンシップは全てリモートで実施
実習期間:2021.2.22~2021.5.14
Kiho HORIMOTO
2nd year of Graduate School of Policy Studies
B.A. (School of Policy Studies, Kwansei Gakuin University)
Internship institution: UNDP, Tokyo, Japan (Remote Internship)
Internship duration: 2021.2.22~2021.5.14
●Details of your internship / インターンシップの内容
UNDP's support for development puts partnership at the center of all aspects of its work. UNDP partners include governments, the United Nations system, international financial institutions, the private sector, foundations, civil society organizations, academia and the media.
My roles and responsibilities during the internship included:
- Assisting in organizing public relations activities (UNDP publications, public events, media relations, SNS etc.)
- Writing documents, cataloguing information.
- Assisting research work on development subjects and the SDGs, including public-private partnerships, SDG-enabling investments by private companies, analysis of ESG-oriented initiatives and other private sector-related issues.
- Learning and developing experiences that compliment my advanced studies.
● What you learned from the internship program / インターンシップでの学び
Through my internship, I focused on article writing in order to write a report that was easy to understand even for beginners.
Interns were tasked with writing articles based on interviews from the UNDP Tokyo Office’s homepage*. It was important to create a simple and consistent document. So, I first focused on the details of the interview and attempted to use as much information as possible. I then submitted the first draft to my supervisor which had an overly detailed outline that was difficult to understand.
Through advice from my supervisor, I focused on writing a simpler report. For instance, I reduced the amount of text in a paragraph as much as possible, and only used data when necessary. Those adjustments for simplicity were significant in not only my writing process but also during the planning and interview phases. Simplicity was a challenge in Graduate school, so it was a valuable opportunity to train my skills and put them into practice.
*Note: Ms. Horimoto interviewed Ms. Hiromi Amano (photo left), about her career as Youth Engagement Consultant at UNDP Representation Office in Tokyo. The article is posted on UNDP Tokyo web page.
●The linkage between the internship program and UNFA Course contents / 国連・外交コース授業での学びとインターンシップ
My UNFA courses helped me a lot in understanding the content of particular meetings in the UNDP Tokyo Office. The UNDP collaborates with multiple sectors in a variety of subjects, for instance, poverty, and sustainable development. Thus, learning about the United Nations’ approach for international cooperation (ex. Cluster Approach) and multisectoral collaboration helped me better understand the staff’s comments during meetings.
There was an open environment for communication with the UNFA office my UNFA advising professors. I sent a mid-term report and could ask questions which were helpful for focusing on this internship without worrying.
●Future career plan / 将来の目標、キャリアプラン
My bachelor's, master's, and internship experiences have led me to pursue a career as an international civil servant. I would like to continue working towards this career through the UNDP internship and my UNFA courses.
I hope to get a job where I can contribute my experiences and knowledge of international development policies. When I become an international civil servant in the future, I would like to devote myself to what I have learned from my supervisors to achieve my best performance.
●What you thought after the internship / インターンシップに参加しての感想
During my internship, my supervisors kindly gave me advice and responses whenever I asked questions on tasks that I had. I was able to have a worthwhile experience due to their support.
Through the valuable connections I received at the UNDP Tokyo Office, I was able to progress my report writing abilities and solidify a concrete vision for a future career. I am more than grateful for the staff at the UNDP Tokyo Office, my UNFA advising professor, and the UNFA office for their support for this valuable opportunity.
◆国連機関等インターンシップ&国際機関へのキャリア支援◆
本学は、多くの国連機関等とインターンシップ協定を締結しており、これまでに多数の学生(主に大学院生)を国連・国際機関にインターンシップ派遣してきた実績があります。
総合政策研究科「国連システム政策専攻」および大学院副専攻「国連システム政策」の国連その他機関でのインターンシップにおけるサポートは、国連・外交統括センターが担当します。
また、当センターは本学卒業生・修了生に対する国際機関キャリア支援も行っています。
国連機関等インターンシップ&国際機関へのキャリア支援