Hosting 35 international organizations and more than 250 NGOs, the city of Geneva offers a variety of formative experiences to enhance visitors' understanding of diplomacy and world affairs. UNITAR hosts the field visit in the historic Palace of Nations and provides a nuanced balance between the following different components:
Expert Lectures:
UNITAR’s professional network across Geneva allows it to organize a series of 1-2-hour expert lectures, in which participants can directly learn from UN personnel or other high-level officials. Previous UOC-UNITAR field visits have included lectures from the following organizations:
- United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- The Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN in Geneva
Training Workshops:
As its core activity and raison d’être, UNITAR provides several face-to-face workshops for the participants. Delivered by experts such as former ambassadors, previous programmes have included the following workshops:
- Leadership and Negotiation Skills
- United Nations Resolution Writing
- Diplomatic Communication Skills
Multilateral Conferences:
With its more than 10,000 conferences a year, the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) is one of the most active international conference centres in the world. UNITAR offers participants the chance to attend, for example, the following meetings and thereby experience multilateral negotiations first-hand:
- Human Rights Council
- United Nations Committee against Torture (UNCAT)
- United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Guided Tours:
Geneva is rich in historic buildings important to international affairs. Thanks to its access across the city, UNITAR can provide a series of private guided tours. Previous programmes have included tours through the following places:
- The United Nations’ Palace of Nations (3-hours extensive private guided tour)
- The headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- The headquarters of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Career Development Sessions:
UNITAR also provides several 1-2-hour sessions on how to advance your professional career and find a solid footing in the world of international organizations. These sessions can include the following components:
- Information sessions on internships and other entry positions in the UN system
- Review of application material, including CV, motivation letter, PHP Form, LinkedIn profile
- Counselling on proposed entrepreneurial projects related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Cultural Activities:
Students will have the chance to participate in cultural events, such as a dinner cruise in Lake Léman.