Collaboration & Coordination among Colleges & Universities at the United Nations
Purpose: Model developed for student interns over summer to serve as rapporteurs for the Midday workshops as part of 60 th
annual DPI/NGO conference, to learn about
MDG’s & the UN & attending briefings. Collaboration between Felician College and
Fordham University.
Selection/Criteria : Fordham University developed the application & selected the participants. Students submitted cover letter/ resume telling us why want he/she wants to participate in the conference related to Climate Change. The following “ad” was distributed to colleagues in NYC/New Jersey network of colleges & universities:
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Mid-Day Workshop Committee Student Assistant Positions (30 positions open)
Skills: Familiar with computer technology, Microsoft Excel, Word, organized, ability to write well, able to complete tasks with minimal supervision
Desired (not required) interest in these fields : Media, Communication, Computer
Science, Global Science
Duties: Sorting, reading, cataloging and reviewing workshop proposals submitted for consideration for the 60 th
Annual DPI/NGO conference, data entry of proposals received, helping get materials organized, notifying presenters, organizing logistics regarding available space/ attendees
Time Requirements/location: Typically 1-2 days week at the UN. 2 full days/wk in the beginning of the project. Option to receive credit for internship
Mandatory First meeting : (date) to discuss roles & responsibilities
Deadline to respond : No later than (date), Contact: Kelly Roberts, Fordham University
* * *
Applicants: Undergrads, Grads & Doctorates studying Science, Psychology, Business etc.. Over 100 applicants, top 30 selected based on quality of essay & experience.
Access to UN: Felician College (NGO) provided ground passes for students to attend UN briefings/meetings

Outcomes:
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All participants became one seamless group representing CUNY, Montclair
Univ., Felician College, Fordham University, Fairleigh Dickinson, John Jay,
Nassau Community College, Queens College, Columbia Univ., Berkeley College- model of cooperation and collaboration.
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Provided a voice for young professionals through poster presentations at NGO conference. New students from Harvard & Princeton also became involved through these presentations.
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This collaboration has lead to a broad based linkage of colleges & universities that has continued after the conference. NAFSA: Association of International
Educators (NGO) has created a United Nations special member interest group. A session proposal entitled “Universities and the United Nations” (based on students experiences in this project) has been submitted and accepted at NAFSA’s national conference in May 2008. Invited panelists: Juan Carlos Brandt, UN; Dr. Mary
Norton, Felician College; Kelly Roberts, Fordham Univ., Bill Hunter, Lehigh
University.
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Student participants got future United Nations opportunities as a result including one student who is a volunteer at the UN Resource Center.
Kelly Roberts, Fordham University
Dr. Mary Norton, Felician College
December 2007