Bonjour à tous! My name is Emma Bussan and I am a fourth year student in the Elliott School of International Affairs, majoring in International Affairs with a concentration in Security Policy. I am currently studying at IAU Aix-en-Provence.
As the fall semester is coming to a close, I wanted to reflect on a special opportunity I had to visit Geneva with my Israel-Palestine Conflict course for a field study exploring international diplomacy and humanitarian work.
The first stop on our visit was to the United Nations Palais des Nations, the headquarters to the United Nations in Geneva. Here, we toured the iconic building, learned about the history of the UN and its different missions, and observed a live meeting of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. We were even greeted by one of the UN’s resident peacocks, which have roamed the grounds since the space was donated to the city of Geneva, as they originally belonged to the estate’s former owner.
Our next stop was my personal favorite. At the United States Mission to Geneva, we met with three mission staff who shared their diverse experiences in the foreign service and the UN. From working in the Political Section, to Peace and Security, and finally Public Diplomacy, each has had a rewarding, ambitious, and yet sometimes challenging post at the UN, trying to balance the objectives of the United States with the UN’s. Their advice on navigating careers in diplomacy and international organizations was invaluable, particularly for starting as a young professional.
On our second day in Geneva, we began with a discussion and visit at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The OHCHR is located in the Palais Wilson, the old headquarters of the League of Nations. The team outlined their work for advocating for human rights while highlighting the challenges they face. I was able to ask questions directly relating to my Israel-Palestine course and the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as other courses I have taken at GW.
Our final stop was to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, where we discovered the organization's history and humanitarian efforts. The exhibits were not only interactive, but extremely moving. I listened to personal accounts of survivors from the Somalian Civil War, learned about current efforts of the Red Cross to ameliorate the aftermath of natural disasters, and saw how AI is changing how humanitarian aid is administered.
This trip offered a rare chance to engage directly with the institutions shaping global policies and human rights and apply what I have been studying in reality. Through this field study, I learned the importance of collaboration and saw first-hand the interconnectedness of diplomacy, security, conflict resolution, and humanitarian work. Geneva truly felt like the epicenter of international cooperation and has left me inspired to contribute these efforts in my own career.
Emma Bussan
Fall 2024
IAU - Aix-en-Provence, France
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs Major