Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe University
From April to July 2023, I had the unique privilege of undertaking an internship at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC). UNIC functions under the United Nations Department of Global Communications, disseminating information about the activities of the United Nations. During the internship, I gained valuable insights that will shape my future research and career trajectory. These insights predominantly focused on grasping global development trends, effectively communicating information, and listening to the life perspectives of the staff members.
Throughout my internship, I participated in the curation of daily news clippings focused on the United Nations activities, climate change, and a range of domestic and international development issues. Additionally, I was engaged in comprehensive monitoring of media reports and activities related to the G7 Summit, which was held during my internship period. I also had the opportunity to attend seminars on the “1.5°C Pledge” climate campaign, which was jointly promoted by the United Nations and the Japanese media. Tracking global developments, understanding the current situation, and observing how various media outlets report on them allowed me to refine my perspective. I found that by continuously forming opinions based on these experiences, I became more attuned to societal issues, connecting them to the broader context and contemplating their impact on everyday events.
In the process of creating social networking service (SNS) posts, the staff provided me with insightful guidance. Their guidance allowed me to cover a wide range of aspects such as understanding materials, selecting information, consideration when disseminating, and background knowledge. One particularly interesting observation was that, even when using identical materials from the UN headquarters to post on the exact particular topic, there were variations in interest and reactions across different countries. This highlighted the influence of diverse factors such as each country’s historical context, educational landscape, and media coverage. I learned about the importance of communication strategies, which must be tailored to each country’s unique context.
Through briefings with staff members, I had the opportunity to learn about the diverse experiences and professional backgrounds of individuals, who possess flexible and resilient values and life perspectives. The messages I received during these interactions were filled with encouragement, providing the push I needed during the past few years when I felt somewhat stagnant. I continue to cherish the words of wisdom I received during my internship and aspire to prioritize a way of life that values learning and growth through independent thought and action.
Despite the divergence between the tasks at UNIC and my academic expertise, stepping out of my comfort zone and applying for this internship opened the door to numerous learning opportunities and stimulating experiences. I express my sincere gratitude to Professor Keiichi Ogawa, who supported me from the internship application to participation, as well as to all the staff members and everyone else involved in this internship who contributed to making this experience so enriching.
Authored by Mai Hirose (Doctoral Student)
