On October 19, 2020, the second UN Job Fair cum the World Health Organization & UNAIDS Special Exchange Event was held at Renmin University of China. The event was hosted by the China Scholarship Council of the Ministry of Education and organized by the School of Global Governance, RUC. The event took place in the form of “online presentation and collective participation”. Professor Du Peng, Vice President of RUC and Dean of the School of Global Governance, was invited to deliver a video message for the event.

Message from Professor Du Peng, Vice President of RUC and Dean of the School of Global Governance

On the occasion of the second UN Job Fair organized by the China Scholarship Council, I would like to express my warm congratulations to the event on behalf of RUC! At the same time, I am also proud that RUC could jointly held the special exchange event with WHO & UNAIDS.

Since the establishment of the United Nations 75 years ago, it has made important contributions to world peace and development. Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the UN system, especially the WHO, has played a leading role in uniting the strength of all countries to control the virus.

Not long ago, President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at a meeting commemorating the 75th anniversary of the UN, reasserting China’s determination to be a staunch supporter of multilateralism by actively participating in the reform and construction of the global governance system, and firmly upholding the central role of the United Nations in international affairs.

The School of Global Governancewill continue to strengthen its cooperation with international organizations, cultivate more excellent talents for the promotion of international cooperation and world development, and promote the building of a community of shared future for mankind.

WHO Online Exchange Event

During the communication with WHO, Hans Bernhard Willmann, a team leader responsible for organizational design, position-management, classificationand related topicsfromthe Human Resources Department of WHO, introduced the organizational structure and functions of WHO, the work of WHO to unite all countries to fight against major diseases faced by mankind such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the internships and employment opportunities in WHO and its future development prospects. He also shared his own growth experience and career development before giving a detailed explanation of the recruitment processand job requirements of WHO. During the Q&A session, in response to students’ question concerning age limit for application, development planning during the in-school stage, specific application requirements and interview preparation, and etc,Hans Bernhard Willmann offered detailed explanations and advices to the students. The students were encouraged to keep exploring, enriching their life experience so as to realize their life value.

The WHO Online Exchange Event was moderated by Mr. Hu Qifan, Program Director of the School of Global Governance. Eighty-four students from the School ofGlobal Governance and other 11 schools of the university participated in the exchange and interaction.

UNAIDS Online Exchange Event

During the UNAIDS online exchange event, Tim Martineau, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Acting Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS, delivered a video message. “Such exchange event”, said him, “could help young students better understand the United Nations organizationand get closer to it. It is also expected to widen their career planning and career choice.”“The establishment of UNAIDS in 1996 has made possible concerted response to AIDS across the global. Over the years, UNAIDS has made significant contributions to the world’s response to AIDS, encouraging and respecting diversity, and aiming to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and usher in a better world in 2030.

Following his speech, Cristina Milano, Policy and Human Resources Advisor of UNAIDS, Zhou Kai, Policy and Strategy Advisor of UNAIDS China Office, and Sophie Bastien, official from the Internship Officer of UNAIDS, shared their views respectively. Cristina Milano analyzed the pathway for young talents to enter UNAIDS with the case study of the “Junior Professional Officer (JPO)”Programme; Zhou Kai introduced the specific work of UNAIDS in achieving the SDGs, as well as the main departments of UNAIDS China Office and their corresponding functions; Sophie Bastien introduced the selection and recruitment of interns and employmentin UNAIDS. Sophie Bastien introduced the requirements of the UNAIDS internship, its selection process and the potential benefits of the internship experience respectively. She also taught the participants how to apply for the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program and the requirements for taking up the position.

During the Q&A session, students asked questions about the requirements for UNAIDS internships and employment, and the measures and efforts of UNAIDS in popularizing the knowledge of AIDS prevention and treatment, etc. The three officials, proceeding from their own experience, gave detailed answers to each of these questions, and at the same time, encouraged the young students present and all those who aspire to work in international organizations to be committed to their ideals and beliefs, and to remainpassionate about their work and work diligently to pursue them.

The event was moderated by Han Fei, Office Director of the School of Global Governance, andLiu Xiaoyin, Program Director. Fifty-one students from the School of Global Governance and other nine schools of the university attended the event.

Students Reflections

1. Qiqi,Undergraduate Student,Class of 2017, School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development.

I am very honored to be able to talk with the World Health Organization. This event greatly helped me gain a clearer picture of my future planning. In the future, I am going to work hard to improve my language skills, strive to be a fast learner, and expand my global vision. I hope I can join the UN in the future!

2. Tang Linxiang, Undergraduate Student,Class of 2020, School of Foreign Languages.

Thanks to the careful arrangements of the School of Global Governance, I was fortunate to participate in the lecture of the World Health Organization and gain a valuable opportunity to communicate with UN officials. Through the lecture, I learned about the basic framework of international organizations and had access to lots of internship information. To meet the requirements of international organizations, I should further increase my language skills, master more knowledge of international organizations, international relations, international journalism, international law and other disciplines. I sincerely hope that I will have the opportunity to join the UN in the future.

3. Mu Ruotong, Undergraduate Student,Class of 2020, School of Philosophy.

It has always been my dream to have an internship experience at UN, and this conversation with WHO certainly provides me with a very good opportunity to learn more about UN. I am very grateful to the School of Global Governance, RUC for providing such a platform for us. In the future, I will redouble my efforts to improve my English language skills and my comprehensive ability.I hope that I can become a member of the United Nationsone day and make contributions to the world’s development.

4.Wang Di, Master's Student, Class of 2020,College of Foreign Languages.

This event has greatly enriched my knowledge of international organizations. Through the patient introductions and explanations by the three guests of UNAIDS in response to our questions, I feel that international organizations are no longer something unattainable. Instead, we do have the opportunity to join them if we work hard. Next, I want to improve my ability in all aspects, and I hope I can join UNAIDS or other international organizations after graduation, so as to contribute to human health and world peace.

5. Zheng XuanYue, Undergraduate Student, Class of 2017, School of Foreign Languages

I am very happy to have such an opportunity to have a close contact with the United Nations organization. Through the introduction by the head of UNAIDS, I have gained a better understanding of the functions of international organizations, and obtained lots of tips for my personal career planning and choices. In particular, the introduction of the UNAIDS internship program gave me a better understanding of the requirements of international organizations. This was certainly a very rewarding event.