Participants listening attentively to the lecture
On November 25, at Izumi Campus, the Organization for International Collaboration invited Ms. SAKURAI Asako, Partnership Building Specialist at Tokyo Liaison Office of United Nations Volunteers (UNV), to give a lecture entitled “What’s it like to work at the United Nations?”
This event was held for students who are interested in working for an international organization and was designed to answer questions such as “What exactly does a UN staff do?” and “How can I become a UN staff?” On the day of the event, Campus Mate, an international exchange organization, supported the operation of the event.
The lecture covered a wide range of topics, such as the work of UN Volunteers, Ms. SAKURAI’s career path, interesting aspects of working for an international organization, the qualities required of staff members, and how to gain work experience and acquire language skills. After the lecture, the participating students gathered around Ms. SAKURAI and asked questions one after another, and many of them said they were motivated and inspired.
Content of Ms. SAKURAI’s lecture (excerpts)
In January 2023, the United Nations General Assembly decided to designate 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. The importance of volunteers in achieving sustainable development is becoming widely recognized. Last year, 12,840 people were dispatched as UN volunteers in 169 countries and regions around the world, and the number of volunteers is on the rise.
In addition, an increasing number of positions have become available online in recent years. Last year, 14,050 positions were offered. A variety of ways to get involved as a volunteer are becoming possible.
Ms. SAKURAI also used to work as a UN volunteer herself. Many of those who are active in international organizations have experience as UN volunteers.
Ms. SAKURAI vividly describes the appeal of international organizations