Week 9
As my internship at the United States Institute of Peace approaches its final two weeks, I’ve taken time to reflect on the incredible learning experience it’s been so far. This past week was mostly spent refining the work I’ve done, cleaning up my previous research to ensure it's cohesive and ready for my supervisor. My main focus has been on the United Nations Police (UNPOL) activities within peacekeeping missions, particularly in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Central African Republic (CAR).
Throughout my research, I’ve analyzed reports from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, detailing the security situation in each country. The insights gained have been valuable, but I’ve encountered a common challenge: specific information on UNPOL activities is often difficult to retrieve. This might be due to security reasons or simply a lack of accessible data, but it highlights a gap in the existing research on peacekeeping operations. Expanding my focus, I dove into research journals on the Protection of Civilian (PoC) mandates and how these mandates intersect with the broader goals of UN peacekeeping. My running research document has gotten unbearably long, and I'm trying my best to cut it down before I leave (a daunting task).
Outside of research, the Atrocity Prevention team sat down for lunch to say goodbye to me and another intern. We had cupcakes and were given handwritten notes, and I’m grateful to have had such an amazing experience so far. The team has been kind, and I’m glad that I got to spend my ten weeks with them. I’m incredibly grateful for the experience so far, and I’m excited to make the most of this last upcoming week. The insights I’ve gained, the support I’ve received, and the challenges I’ve encountered have all contributed to a fulfilling and enriching internship.