On the 9th
of August, I embarked on the start of my internship adventure. The United
Nations Association of Australia held the 2013 National Conference at ANU in
Canberra and invited the most amazing speakers and leaders from all over the
world with only one aim, to engage, inform and inspire.
I had initially applied
for a Scholarship to attend the conference a few months before and to my
surprise, I had a received one of only five spots. I was also the first student
from WA or from Curtin University to receive a UNAA Scholarship, and so I was incredibly
pleased to represent WA and Curtin University.
I anxiously arrived in
Canberra and I immediately attended day one of the roundtable meetings. The
topic of discussion revolved around Australia’s role on the Security Council
and how Australia could strengthen its relationship with the UN. I was joined
by one other scholarship winner from Bond University, who like me, didn’t come
from a international development background but rather, she was consumed with
the programs, the issues, the passionate people and organisations who are
affiliated with the UN and just wanted to be a part of it.
We both realized that we
were staying at the Rydges Hotel together and from that day, we walked home
together and excitedly had breakfast with each other every morning. There
wasn’t anything terribly amazing about the buffet breakfast (despite the fact
it was a buffet) – I think it was more about the fact that we felt so grown up.
We woke up early, had our morning coffee and proceeded to meetings and that
freedom or independence in itself was as thrilling as it was addictive.
On day two, we proceeded
to the conference room and we were given the program booklets. I was so amazed
by the speakers and potential people I could meet and this included, Ian
Martin, Richard Towle and Peter Baxter - but at the same time I couldn’t help
but feel conflicted. Here I was in a room full of academics, leaders and
world-renowned humanitarians and I was just a student (actually only two
students there) who were still completing their undergraduate degree.
Often I would have people asking me where I was studying my masters or PHD or
which organization I worked for. I was so out of my element and I found
myself questioning why I was even there or whether my opinions were even valid.
During the last two days
of the conference, they would often open up questions on the floor. My academic
supervisor Mark, told me that many people just ask questions for the sake of
asking or to get their organization some attention and this definitely was the
case for some – but even though I felt like I had good questions and I has even
written them all down on my napkin, I couldn’t physically raise my hand - and
this ladies and gentleman, was the start of a bad case of Conference-Fright.
At first I felt
disappointed in myself but as the conference went on, I grew particularly
engaged by certain topics such as the Post 2012 Development Agenda or
Australia’s Refugee debate, and soon I couldn’t stop myself from talking about
it and really, do what PR Professionals do best – Networking. I met some
amazing people, from the head of UNHCR, the Director of Aus Aid and the
Director of the Red Cross. It was incredible to hear the insights of those who
have dedicated their lives to humanitarian work and how rewarding their
experiences have been.
Before I knew it, it was
already the end of day three and I was saying goodbye to all the wonderful
people I had met. I was especially close with a group of girls I met from
ANU (as we had previously bonded over our love for Koko Black chocolate the
night before).
Luckily for me, the
conference wasn’t quite finished yet. The UNAA Young Professional Network had
organized drinks at Kremlin Bar for the conference attendees and members of
Young Professionals Network. I didn’t know anyone from the network and only one
of my friends from the conference was attending. I was a little nervous to go
alone but as soon as I stepped into the bar, I quickly met some incredible
people and continued to network for hours.
It was the strangest feeling
and in a completely normal setting, I don’t think it would have been this easy.
It was as if there was an unspoken connection between us and despite being
strangers, we all bonded through our interests and goals for the world.
The next day, I flew straight
to Melbourne for the start of my placement at the United Nations Association.
My placement wasn’t going to start for another few weeks but I needed time to
organize a place to live and obviously, there would be various trips to Ikea.
It was a hectic few weeks and even despite the many apartment inspections and
being completely lost most of the time, I haven’t been able to stop thinking
about the conference and the people I met.
This was the most amazing
start to this internship and I think it’s given me so much more than I could’ve
imagined. I remember the moment I stood next to that beautiful cardboard cut
out of UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon at the conference – and I thought to
myself, I ‘m a lot closer to my dream than I ever thought possible. It was like
something had ignited inside me – and I knew, this is
where I was meant to be.
