Alexa Latini, Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations
Alexa is a DWA Major currently interning at the United Kingdom Permanent Mission to the United Nations. She will assist the Communications, Visits, and Events team focusing on multimedia production and press events. She is most excited to aid in the reception of dignitaries, and be of service during side events throughout UNGA. Prior to working at the UK Mission to the UN, Alexa has done meaningful work at Greece-based NGO, METAdrasi, where she ran the social media accounts, handled press releases, and coordinated efforts with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Transitioning from the NGO sector to the UN sector is exciting for Alexa, and she is hopeful to gain meaningful insight to the inner workings of the mission. Outside of work, she is excited to explore the food and music scene in NYC.
Amaan Kanji, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Amaan Kanji is an Economics and DWA double major from Oakland, California. This semester he will be interning at the United Nations Development Programme. At UNDP, he will support research and analysis on multidimensional poverty, inequality and inclusive economic development, with a focus on expanding economic opportunity for groups facing structural barriers. His work will include data analysis, literature reviews, and contributions to policy briefs and strategic publications that inform UNDP鈥檚 development initiatives. Amaan is also excited to see the implementation aspect of UNDP鈥檚 work, and how they utilize data and research to create tangible impact. Outside of work, Amaan is very excited to explore New York and play pickleball.
Amelia Allen-Seeley, Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations
Amelia is a DWA major and a Biology minor working with the UK Permanent Mission to the UN on the Humanitarian, Peacebuilding, and Development (HPD) team. She is excited to get first hand experiences working in an international space and to learn as much as possible during her time working with the UN. A Fun fact about Amelia is that she has sailed from Tahiti to Hawaii!
Arabella Estes, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Arabella is a Diplomacy and World Affairs Major and Religious Studies minor from San Francisco who is interning with the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) this semester. UNHCR works to provide aid to and protect the rights of refugees, displaced individuals, and stateless people around the world. Arabella is excited to learn how policy translates to on-the-ground work at the UN. Outside of work, they are excited to explore NYC鈥檚 parks and everything else it has to offer!
Calla Brown, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Calla is a double major in DWA and CSLC interning at the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Prosperity and Wellbeing Hub. Her work will include conducting research on the health, social, and economic impacts of climate change. She will also support UNDP to prepare for events like NYC Climate Week, Climate COP31, UN General Assembly, and the UNDP-led Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response event. Calla is excited to deepen her understanding of climate advocacy on the international stage at UNDP. In her free time, Calla will be rooting for the Yankees and searching for the best egg and cheese breakfast sandwich in Manhattan.
Conner Gruezo, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Conner is a DWA major from Vernon Hills, Illinois. This semester, he is interning at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations鈥 sexual and reproductive health agency. The UNFPA works to safeguard access to sexual and reproductive health in over 150 countries, cooperating with local organizations and spreading awareness to tackle a broad spectrum of issues including maternal mortality, infant mortality, genital mutilation and gender based violence. Conner is looking forward to contributing to the UNFPA鈥檚 mandate to empower and protect the youth worldwide through research, analysis and advocacy. Conner enjoys exploring new places and learning about new cultures, and he is excited to traverse New York City this autumn!
Dhruv Verma, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Dhruv is a Diplomacy and World Affairs major from New Delhi, India, interning with the UK Mission to the UN on the General Assembly, Cyber, Human Rights and Management (GCHM) team. Most of his work falls within the Third Committee, which covers social, humanitarian, and human rights issues, and the Fifth Committee, which negotiates the UN鈥檚 regular budget and administrative questions. Dhruv is looking forward to tracking resolutions and negotiating text, and learning firsthand how member states hash out the budget resolutions that fund everything from peacekeeping operations to the Secretariat鈥檚 own administration. A fun fact about Dhruv is that he鈥檚 played tennis since he was four and still plays for 海角社区鈥檚 Men鈥檚 Tennis team, but these days you can also find him on the pickleball courts by the Hudson with the rest of the cohort.
Elijah Kurian, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Elijah Kurian is a Diplomacy and World Affairs student from Menlo Park, California. As a fellow at the Prosperity and Well-being Hub at UNDP, Elijah鈥檚 work will focus on UNDP鈥檚 鈥淎I for Health in Africa鈥 initiative, research on AI鈥檚 impact on health, and broader research on health governance. In addition to his research, he will support UNDP more broadly during General Assembly Week and other events. Elijah is deeply interested in global health governance, the future of AI, and the role international institutions like the UN play in shaping both. He is excited to work on a topic of such relevance to the world this semester. Outside of the U.N., Elijah can be found with a tennis racket or a sweet treat in his hand!
Esmee Paulsen, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Esmee is a DWA major and currently interning with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), an agency dedicated to reproductive rights and eliminating gender-based inequality and violence. Esmee鈥檚 role within the UNFPA will involve projects regarding family planning needs, reproductive and sexual health services, and the eradication of gender-based violence and harmful practices. She will also be supporting the agency through youth empowerment initiatives, data collection and policy analysis, and advocacy. Esmee is looking forward to supporting the UNFPA throughout the Fall while also getting to explore and experience NYC.
Julian Casta帽on Villa, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Julian is a student of Diplomacy & World Affairs and an intern with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). In the agency鈥檚 New York office, he supports the Intergovernmental Affairs, Outreach, and Communications Section (ICOS) in tracking and researching human rights in multilateral fora 鈥 with a focus on the General Assembly Third Committee. Through his campus coursework and research abroad, Julian has developed a particular interest in economic rights and is excited to learn about OHCHR鈥檚 work advancing a human rights economy. He has previously interned with NGOs across legal, policy, and advocacy spaces and looks forward to bringing that experience to the level of global governance. Outside of the office, Julian enjoys exploring parks to play chess and train calisthenics.
Karis Yim, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Karis is a Diplomacy and World Affairs major from Bangkok, Thailand. As a Fellow in the Prosperity and Well-being Hub at UNDP, Karis supports technical research and policy analysis focused on just energy transitions across the Global South. Her work centers on analyzing how green, digital, and AI transitions impact job creation, skills, and social inclusion, which includes developing country case studies and comparative policy matrices for national renewable energy instruments. Karis also assists with knowledge management and high-level event coordination for major engagements, including the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This fellowship has deepened her interest in the intersection of inclusive economic policy, sustainable development, and energy transitions. Outside of the office, Karis can be found exploring unique food spots and playing pickleball along the Hudson River.
Luca Lennon, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Luca is a Diplomacy and World Affairs Major and a Critical Theory and Social Justice Minor. He will work at the Prosperity and Well Being Hub within the United Nations Development Program. He is tasked with researching drug policy from a human rights lens, and supporting UNGA drug policy events. Luca is also tasked with supporting UNDP communications and knowledge management. He is excited to learn about the implementation of development programs, and how the UNDP works with other UN organizations. This summer Luca worked for the Fund for the Public Interest, canvassing Illinois residents on pressing environmental campaigns. Luca likes to draw, and hopes to draw the United Nations campus by the end of his semester in New York.
Mitchell Swan, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Mitchell is a DWA major interning with the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UNDPPA). UNDPPA is a UN agency dedicated to supporting the Secretary-General鈥檚 peacebuilding initiatives through mediation and conflict prevention. Mitchell works alongside the Middle East division, helping monitor political, socio-economic, and humanitarian developments. As well as providing research analysis on policy issues related to the nexus of peace and security within the region. Through his research and 海角社区 courses, Mitchell has become particularly fascinated by global governance, international security, and preventative diplomacy; he is honored and eager for the opportunity to serve the UN Secretariat.
Villathina (Thina) Ly, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Thina is a Diplomacy and World Affairs (DWA) major and an Economics minor from Cambodia. She will be interning with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Refugee Agency Liaison Office in New York City. As a UNHCR intern, Thina will support the New York team frequently interfacing with various UN bodies such as the Security Council, Member States, NGOs, and civil society organizations, to ultimately represent the UNHCR鈥檚 interests at the UN headquarters. Thina will be responsible for providing regular analysis of developments within the UN and assessing their impact on the global operations of the UNHCR. Additionally, she will assist with high-level briefings, provide strategic policy inputs, and prepare reports on humanitarian and security developments. Through this internship, Thina is eager to contribute to the UNHCR鈥檚 mission of supporting populations displaced by war, violence, and climate crisis.
