STUDENTS on the University of Chester’s International Development Studies (IDS) degree programme can look forward to questioning diplomats during study visits to the Geneva headquarters of the United Nations.
A three-day trip to the Palais de Nations in November proved so successful that visits to the organisation are now an integral part of the course for third year IDS undergraduates.
The University of Chester is believed to be one of the first higher education institutions in the country to make trips to the Swiss base a formal part of a programme. On their return to Chester, those attending will use their experience to write a reflective evaluation of the work of two UN agencies.
IDS programme leader Gill Miller said: “The UN can seem to be a very distant and complex environment but these visits can provide an illuminating and quite unique insight for the students regarding world politics in action.
“When we were there the Palais was buzzing with activities, meetings and conferences.
“Many students experience ‘hands-on’ development through global perspective and gap year experiences in the developing world. The UN visit helps students to understand the process of development at the other end of the scale: how donors and the international community try to tackle issues surrounding world poverty.
“The opportunity to question leading diplomats about their field is something very rare and educationally valuable. It is also a time for students to network and make contacts regarding employment and internships at the UN.”
The current group spent three days at the Palais de Nations attending presentations and seminars with experts and delegates from several agencies, including the UN Peacekeeping Corps, the World Health Organisation and the World Trade Organisation.
The idea came about when Gill Miller visited the UN in Geneva in her role as chief examiner for the World Development A-level.
