In the bustling heart of Panama City, nestled within the calm neighbourhood of Ciudad del Saber, I embarked on a transformative journey that would shape my understanding of humanitarian efforts, regional security, and the power of communication. Before recounting the enriching experience I was fortunate to partake in, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the McGill Arts Internship Office, as well as to Martine Vanasse and Randall Edwin Wilbert II, for my nomination to the Vanasse Wilbert International Experience Internship Award, which made this life-changing journey possible.
My name is Adele, a final-year student at McGill University, pursuing a degree in Political Science, International Development Studies, and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Motivated by my appeal for diplomacy, international security, and conflict resolution, which I delved into during my classes at McGill, I eagerly seized the opportunity to intern at WFP’s regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean throughout the summer of 2023. I decided to apply for this internship as I had the desire to immerse myself in the realm of international organizations and to comprehend the inner workings of the United Nations and its numerous agencies. The opportunity to contribute to the largest humanitarian organization (WFP), mandated by 193 countries, was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. Furthermore, my wish to achieve fluency in Spanish intersected perfectly with this prospect, making the internship in Panama City a perfect combination of personal and professional growth.
I had the privilege of working with WFP's Communications and Security Units. The communications team is tasked with the organization of impactful regional campaigns, oversees Spanish social media, and curates informative newsletters, all aimed at amplifying the organization's mission and impact. Simultaneously, the Security Unit is in charge of safeguarding WFP’s staff and operations in the midst of dynamic and ever-changing security landscapes across the region.
Throughout my internship, I managed the regional outlook and weekly newsletter, created Canva-designed social media campaigns that were published on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, translated webpages for WFP's Spanish site, and coordinated a journalist list for the region. Further, thanks to the team's support and trust, I was able to lead my own projects within the Communications Unit. We filmed a video thanking Canada as a key contributor to WFP in the region (English version here, French version here). We also launched WFP’s first podcast called “Cambiando vidas, La voz de WFP para America Latina y el Caribe”, with the first episode on YouTube (Link), followed by bi-weekly releases on the same channel. Within WFP's security Unit, I immersed myself in dissecting the security intricacies of the region. I contributed to crafting the yearly security profiles for Latin American and Caribbean countries, outlining the unique security threats of each country. Additionally, I aided in writing the mid-year security forecast (upcoming months from June to December 2023) and authored a comprehensive report on security risks stemming from the climate crisis. This aforementioned analysis explored climate-related disasters and their associated security threats and gathered UN and government best practices, highlighting the interplay between climate and regional security.
Amidst these achievements, a cascade of highlights stands out. The daily immersion within Panamanian life, the interactions with dedicated colleagues, or the witnessing of WFP’s positive impact on vulnerable communities could be mentioned. Further, participating and interviewing attendees of several workshops organized by different WFP units in Panama City offered me valuable insights into the practical aspects of humanitarian operations and the mechanisms of WFP’s internal organization. Consequently, leaving Panama, the WFP office, the supportive team, and the projects left unfinished was the unique challenge of my internship period.
Undoubtedly, this internship has marked my university experience. The combination of academic learning with practical application within the UN ecosystem enriched my understanding of international dynamics. The experience reinforced my determination to pursue a master's program in international relations, fueling my aspirations for a future career with international agencies. To Martine Vanasse and Randall Edwin Wilbert II, whose generous support made this experience feasible, I extend my deepest gratitude.
