Peking University, Nov. 16, 2019: On November 8, a group from the PKU Student Career Center visited the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Beijing Office. The group comprised 25 students and teachers who had interests in working for international organizations and learning international public policies, and they were received by Frederick Russell-Rivoallan, an expert in Social and Human Science from UNESCO.
The group photo
Frederick Russell-Rivoallan extended a warm welcome to PKU students and teachers. He gave a thorough and detailed introduction to the history, mission, and organization of UNESCO as well as its efforts in promoting sustainable development. He also shared his personal experience working with Chairman of the 37th UNESCO General Assembly (2013-2015) and PKU President Hao Ping.
Frederick Russell-Rivoallan introducing UNESCO to students
Robert Parua, expert in Education from UNESCO, Ja Ryeung Kim, intern from the Division of Natural Science, Frederick Russell-Rivoallan, expert in Social and Human Science, Himalchuli Gurung, expert from the Culture Division and Wang Jingxiao, project assistant from the Division of Communication and Information respectively elaborated on the goals UNESCO pursued in those areas and the achievements that had been made by the Office so far. The experts’ words won over the students’ undivided attention and evoked questions on a wide range of topics including moral dilemmas caused by the advance of science, the protection of cultural relics, innovations in the network of city landscapes and the career prospect at international organizations.
Students were all ears
In order to educate and adapt students to the increasingly globalized social climate and to better provide capable youth for international organizations, PKU has launched a series of programs including the Future Leader Program, IO Career Program, etc. IO Visit is part of the regular activities in the program. IO Visit provides PKU students with a chance to see how exactly works are done in international organizations and gives them a clearer picture of the role they play in the global society. So far, the PKU Student Career Center has organized about 40 visits to international organizations including the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations, UNICEF China, and AIIB Headquarter.
According to the PKU Student Career Center, an increasing number of graduates from PKU choose to work for international organizations as interns, with a number of 42 for 2017 and 84 for 2018.
Background Information
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, Sciences and Culture. UNESCO's programs contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
UNESCO Beijing Office was established in 1984. It is responsible for UNESCO’s projects and work in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea. Altogether, these countries encompass about 1/5 of the world’s population, around 25% of global economic output, and over 5,000 years of rich history and culture.
Together with other UNESCO units and the entire UN family, UNESCO Beijing Office works to find and implement innovative solutions in social, cultural, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainable development, helping countries to achieve their national development priorities and commitments on Sustainable Development Goals and the Education Agenda 2030. It does so through five major programs – education, social sciences, natural sciences, culture, and communication & information.
In the five countries it serves, UNESCO Beijing Office has helped to establish 22 UNESCO Category 2 Centers, 60 Biosphere Reserves, and 95 World Heritage Sites; has built capacities of key decision-making institutions; helped strengthen policies, standards, and practices in UNESCO’s areas of work; promoted cooperation between countries within and outside the region; and made a lasting impact on people’s lives.
Written by: Qiu Kanghua
Edited by: Wei Yunqi
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
