●Details of your internship / インターンシップの内容
As a climatology fellow, I supported the implementation of Lao PDR Climate Strategy 2024–2026. From finalizing the strategy to coordinating its execution, my work spans three key areas: Child-Sensitive Environmental Policies development (NDC and NAP), Climate-Smart Social Service Projects, and Knowledge Management through developing a Climate Hub and the Emergency Preparedness Platform. In influencing the NDC 3.0 and NAP development and preparing for COP29 and COP30, I also work closely with the Lao government to advocate for child-focused components. These experiences inspired my capstone paper (East Asia Pacific Climate and Environmental Fellowship) , focusing on bridging vulnerability and empowerment by analyzing pathways to involve youth and children in climate mitigation to support NDC development and implementation.
 

● What you learned from the internship program / インターンシップでの学び
Coordinating the development of climate funding proposals has provided me with me a comprehensive view of the organization’s climate work. It has been an incredible learning opportunity, allowing me to collaborate with colleagues and senior managers across various sections. In addition to my core works, I have also taken part in both internal and external workshops and trainings, including Emergency Preparedness and Response training and the Solar-Powered Water System Design workshop, and earned the certificates along the way. Through these activities, I have gained valuable technical skills and expanded my professional network across organizations.

As part of my deep dive into WASH(Water/Sanitation/Hygiene)’s work, I joined the 2024 WASH retreat and developed a 30-page report capturing key insights. The retreat offered technical discussions on climate-resilient WASH programming, as well as team-building activities such as hiking, cycling, treasure hunting, waterfall sightseeing, and a traditional morning alms-giving ceremony wearing Lao attire. These moments strengthened my competencies and allowed me to forge deeper connections with colleagues and immerse myself in the local culture. I’ve gained not only technical knowledge but also the confidence to communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels.

Being on the ground in one of the least developed countries, I have witnessed firsthand impacts of climate change—severe flooding, extreme events, record-high temperatures, and air pollution. Despite these challenges, local communities have shown remarkable resilience, supported by emergency response efforts from the government and international organizations. Facing unstable funding this year, my team has effectively adapted by seeking alternative resources and demonstrating resilience as well. Thus, the UN’s vital role in climate mitigation and adaptation has deepened my desire to work with the UN or its partners, especially in climate action and child protection.

●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
Throughout my internship, I encountered several challenges that significantly contributed to my technical and professional growth. Fortunately, my work has been greatly enriched by the knowledge and skills acquired through the UNFA course, which provided me with strong academic and practical foundations. The biggest challenge for me is climate financing development. Coordinating climate concept notes and funding proposals were technically demanding, involving policy alignment, data analysis, cross-sectoral coordination, and climate financing mechanisms. In 2024, we simultaneously worked on proposals for China AID, KOICA, and the Government of Japan. The Research Projects in United Nations class offered practical exercises in project proposal writing, which I directly applied to drafting climate funding proposals for UNICEF Laos.
Mainstreaming child-sensitive climate policies requires engaging with the key government stakeholders, each with different policy priorities and technical language barriers. The Seminar in Global Environmental Policy class deepened my understanding of climate governance and policy frameworks, e.g. Paris Agreement, NDCs, COPs etc., which has been instrumental in my work on mainstreaming child-sensitive climate policies. Additionally, applying strategic communication skills from the Seminar in Global Communication class guides me to tailor messages effectively. For example, I teamed up with an experienced national colleague to not only advocate for UNICEF’s policy briefs in UN and governmental meetings but also build connections through informal interactions, such as coffee breaks and external events, to ensure effective communication with the right persons.
Despite these challenges, each experience enriched my learning and strengthened my ability to navigate complex organizational and policy environments.
 

 

●Future career plan / 将来の目標、キャリアプラン
During my time at UNICEF, I had the privilege of engaging with senior supervisors, colleagues, JPOs, and consultants, who generously shared their career paths and provided invaluable guidance. Therefore, I can see more clearly on my professional direction within the UN system and inspired me to pursue a career within UN system.

In the short term, I aspire to take on a consultancy role within an NGO or international organization, where I can deep dive in filed level programme, gain hands-on experience, and develop the key skills and competencies required by UN. In the mid-term, I aim to leverage my field experience to secure a position as a Junior Professional Officer (JPO), potentially in a role of emergency response at UNHCR through China’s JPO system, which may mark an official start of my journey within UN and allow me to build further professional expertise. In the long run, I’m keen to establishing a career within the UN system as a specialist in related areas.

The path to the UN is always competitive and challenging, but UNFA’s courses and the ongoing cross-sectoral climate works have strengthened my resilience, which is an essential quality for involving in resilient related works. Working for the UN or other international organizations is not the ultimate goal; rather, my aspiration is to serve as an international civil servant and make meaningful contribution to global development is.

 

◆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