Bonjour à nouveau, mes amis! And hello again, dear friends. As I prepare for repatriation, writing out those last-minute postcards, packing an unreasonable number of Swiss chocolates and Pâtes de fruits in my luggage, I realize I have much to catch you up on.
As illustrated previously, there is never a dull moment here at the Geneva Liaison Office (GLO). Much of November and December were spent hosting and planning future events with partners for the future annum. But of course, in a rapidly, ever-changing environment like that of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) the road is laid with a bevy of surprises.
With a strong tangential connection to my previous mission work with the GLO and growing interest in minority issues, I spent Thanksgiving at a slightly different table this year. On 28 November, the 17th session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues convened at the Palais des Nations in Geneva pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 6/15 of 28 September 2007 and resolution 19/23 of 23 March 2012. This year, the theme of the UN Forum was the representation and self-representation of minorities in public spaces and discourses.
By invitation of Dr. Levrat, the Special Rapporteur of Minority Issues and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), I had the rare opportunity to present a seven minute intervention. I am without words as to how grateful I feel to have collaborated with my UNESCO colleagues in preparation for this expert panel, bringing much needed visibility to minority issues and the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples as they relate to minority representation in education and spaces of learning; highlighting the mechanisms and best practices as shared in the UNESCO's 2023 report, The Right to Education of Minorities: overview of States' measures reported in the 10th Consultation on the 1960 Convention and Recommendation against Discrimination.
Likewise, sharing this panel with Madame Chairperson, the incomparable Anastasia Crickley, former Vice President of International Association for Community Development (IACD) and a Regional Trustee of Europe, will serve as a paramount memory, not only during my time here in Geneva, but my tenure in International Education. And as we were the only women serving on the panel, I must echo her sentiments -- let's get more women to the table, shall we? It’s something to work towards, undoubtedly.
Of course, as these posts are meant to incite reflection, this moment felt, and continues to feel full circle. On my first visit to The Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room, formerly known as Room XX, I was told by a mentor that this convening space is particularly special, and not just for its grand stature and the colors that captivate (which, I can affirm, they do).
Very intentionally designed by prominent contemporary Spanish artist Miquel Barceló, the ceiling tells a profound story and offers a conscious reminder to those sitting at the head table. From the back of the room the ceiling appears less colorful, featuring more somber blue tones, almost presenting as calm. But from the front of the room the colors are loud and unyielding, vivid with reds, yellows, greens and oranges splashed across a sea of stalactites and other contorted shapes. He, she, or they who are seated at the front of the room see the brokenness and chaos in the world from a view tied to a specific mission. It is said that to speak in the front of the room is to be deemed a delicate privilege, a responsibility in which you must incite vision, promote change, and lead action.
I cannot tell you how many times I have sat at the back of the room, staring at the backs of heads as member states and civil society fervently advocate for a multitude of global issues, with this exact sentiment in mind: “What would I get on my soapbox for?”
As I sat at the front table, electricity pumping in my veins and a bit of sweat on my palms, there was not a doubt in my mind that I was presenting invention work that I feel vehemently passionate about, and while I would not consider myself an expert per se, knew I had deepened and experiential knowledge to offer because of my experiences with the GLO. Staring out at the sea of human rights defenders, I felt it again. Hope. Change. Action.
The near-innate buzz continued in the weeks that followed. Just last week, the GLO co-hosted the event, “Our Rights, Our Future. Right Now,” through Human Rights Education for, With and By Youth.
To celebrate the launch of the fifth phase of the World Programme, for Human Rights Day 2024, with our partners from OHCHR and Amnesty International, the event had a particular focus on human rights education for children and youth, taking into account the three thematic areas decided by the Human Rights Council. In recognition of this, the United Nations Human Rights Council, through its resolution 57/10, launched the fifth phase (2025-2029) of the World Programme for Human Rights Education, dedicated to children and youth, with a focus on human rights education in digital technologies and human rights, gender equality, and environment and climate change.
As I listened to the testaments of the young human rights educators, whom we selected for our panel, present on their various platforms featuring efforts and programs dedicated to gender discrimination, recounting experiences of abhorrent violence against women, yet another full-circle-moment feeling captured me. The GLO’s partnership with the OHCHR’s Methodology, Education and Training Unit is a relationship I initiated and nurtured since my third day as a UNESCO fellow. Simply put, this event was a task labored over the span of three months.
Championing this type of UN-to-UN stewardship taught me so much regarding the intricacies of liaison work, and to speak more candidly, realizing the depths of my own professional abilities. These relationships are deeply crucial to the promotion of critical issues within the UN fora as well as public discourse, and through this context I was able to explore the tenacity required to navigate negotiations on behalf of a UN organization, as well as the resilience to see these missions to fruition. I found a nuanced space I thrived in which allowed me to tell the most honest story on behalf of one of the most vulnerable populations, youth, and maximize visibility for the respective cause. It was (and is) a truly empowering undertaking.
Of course, came my least favorite part, the farewells and partings (not to be confused with the permanence and finality of goodbyes). When I reflect on the projects, opportunities, travels, and learnings in all of these domains, it always comes down to the people (and in this case, evidently, two cats). The people that promote, collaborate, and even celebrate with me.
The team at the GLO is a rare, unique, once-in-a-lifetime find when it comes to a supportive, productive and cooperative work family. I am so grateful to my soeurs de bureau (my office sisters) and mentors for curating an experience that was a healthy balance of engaging and autonomous. Working for the GLO will serve not only as a formative experience, both professionally and personally, but one of the greatest joys of my career.
Equally special, I was able to show my sister and favorite travel companion, Larissa, my work post, l’historique Palais des Nations, the UNOG grounds, some of my favorite Geneva gems, and explore other provinces throughout Switzerland. In tandem, we braved pre-twilight train rides, careening us through the Swiss Alps, summited the Matterhorn, skied, and sampled the (too) many Gruyères, Glühweins, and Rostis along our route. And of course, when you think the views could not get any more breathtaking (literally and figuratively), they most certainly do. (Caution: Altitude training is real, folks!)
There is a beautiful quote by Islamic scholar and 13th century poet, Rumi, which captures the essence of this experience for me quite nicely. In it he states, “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today, I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
What comes next for me is truly unknown, but through this time I have gained insight, confidence and a stellar network. I have at times surprised myself, and could not feel more pride in what I have accomplished in one semester alone. So, for now, as I veer towards graduation, I’ll take the advice of Rumi - I’ll remain a little clever and aim to be more wise.
One last huge thank you to the GW UNESCO Chair faculty and facilitators - what you do for students, and this student in particular, does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. May we continue to tap glass ceilings together for years to come. Bien cordialement!
Jacqui is a M.A. candidate in the International Education Program at GSEHD focusing on Education in Emergencies (EiE) and persisting challenges in protracted crises. She is passionate about multilateral engagement and program development as it relates to displaced youth and marginalized populations.