2018 Internship Report - Chiu Chun Ting Charles
Name: Chiu Chun Ting (Charles)
Postgraduate Certificate in Laws
The University of Hong Kong
Position: UN Coordination Assistant at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in China
Duration: May 2018 – August 2018 (3 months)
Sponsorship: United Nations Peace Development Foundation
Supervisor: Elin Bergman
Assignment:
One highlight of my time in the UN is the planning and arrangement of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth’s visit to Beijing. I had the opportunity to work with and coordinate among UN agencies in designing and organizing the overall programme for the Youth Envoy. During the Youth Envoy’s visit, I accompanied her in attending bilateral meetings with Chinese youth federations and youth media. I was also responsible for organizing a Townhall session, where all staff members from UN in China were invited to interact with the Youth Envoy on different youth issues. I also arranged cultural visits for the Youth Envoy, which we visited the Great Wall and Jingshan Park. The visit of the Youth Envoy allowed me to better understand youth development and participation in China and across the Asia-Pacific region. The Youth Envoy and her delegation were very friendly which made the programme more enjoyable.
I also drafted remarks, key messages and talking points for the Resident Coordinator for various meetings and events. For example, I drafted talking points for the UN Country Team Meeting with the President of the United Nations General Assembly and key messages for the Resident Coordinator’s attendance to a television program broadcast globally. I also prepared and drafted minutes of bilateral meetings with Chinese government counterparts and UN Country Team meetings. Besides, I was involved in preparing and editing the UN Country Team’s annual report, which I learnt more about the UN agencies’ joint work in China.
I supported in organizing various UN activities, including activities in connection to the World Environment Day and a large-scale workshop on women, peace and security. In particular, I accompanied the Resident Coordinator in attending the World Environment Day event and acted his oral interpreter. I also attended other UN activities including a movie screening in connection to the World Refugee Day organized by the UNHCR. All these activities fostered my understanding of the diverse work done by the UN agencies in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals.
I also had the chance to conduct an on-site monitoring exercise of a project on migrant workers funded by UN agencies. During the exercise, there were interactive sessions which participating lawyers exchanged their views on different labour law issues related to Chinese migrant workers. With a legal background, I found the case studies and discussion meaningful, which enabled me to learn more about the Chinese law.
Overall, I am grateful to have joined the Resident Coordinator’s Office in China and worked with my team and other colleagues, who have been friendly and supportive. The time with the UN in China during the summer has definitely been a fruitful and rewarding experience.
