United Nations Experience

 

Experience the work of the United Nations at their European Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland

We are now able to offer a truly unique opportunity for school / college students who have an interest in world affairs and an inquisitive mind to see the United Nations at work.

Students will learn through guided tours, presentations and observing working sessions in action. The range of subject areas that can be covered include – politics, ethics, human rights, languages, science, art, geography, citizenship.
They will have the opportunity to ask questions of diplomats, ambassadors, advisors, specialists etc. As well as factual knowledge, the students will acquire resources from the various agencies. They will be given special access passes, which will enable them to carry out research in the libraries and publications departments.
Students describe this experience as ‘life changing’. The combination of knowledge and personal development gained from this project helps to improve self-esteem and confidence and has proved useful in clarifying university choice and courses and is of course a most valuable entry on UCAS forms.

Case Study – Student helps to drive UN debate
On one trip Vicky Cooke of Archway School Stroud, was concerned that a country was not represented at a session while being accused of condoning honour killings. She interviewed the speaker and then prepared a newsletter on the subject as her project. The next day she distributed the newsletter amongst the delegates. To her amazement the Ambassador from the country turned up and tried to justify the government’s actions and dismiss the newsletter. The UN diplomat chairing the session held up the newsletter as an accurate account that needed to be answered and called on the particular government to acknowledge the problem of honour killing.

The itinerary for each visit is of necessity different depending on ‘who is in town’ but recent visits have included:

• Guided Tour of the United Nations Palais de Nations
• The activities of the International Labour Organisation
• The work of the United Nations World Food Programme
• The work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
• The activities of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
• The activities of UNICEF
• The United Nations Secretariat for the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction

Study Visits take place up to four times a year and are open to 6th form students. The cost of a 5 night study visit to Geneva is £340 per student, which includes bed and breakfast accommodation at the International Youth Hostel, all transport within Geneva, payment of UN fees, security clearance and the services of our expert facilitator.
In addition, students will have to pay flight costs, lunch and dinner. (The cost of meals is likely to be around £10-£15 per day, although by buying at local supermarkets, this can be reduced).
There are also opportunities for teachers / lecturers to take part in visits to further their own professional development.

18 sixth formers from three Doncaster schools flew from Manchester to Geneva to spend 5 days seeing the work of the United Nations. They stayed in a hostel, had a tour of the Palais des Nations, took part in a number of seminars and saw something of the beautiful city of Geneva.
Music credits: Title: Serenade for Strings Opus 22 Composer: Dvorak, Publisher: Lynne Publishing, Courtesy of www.Shockwave-Sound.com

Student Study Visits to the United Nations in Geneva in 2013 will take place on the following dates:

• February 10th to February 15th
• August 25th to August 30th
• October 27th to November 1st

If you are a student wanting to take part in a Study Visit - contact us now for an application pack.
If you are a teacher / lecturer who would like to accompany a group of students from your school or college on a Study Visit please contact us for further information.