Intern Series: Sanjana Bhambhani — Women's Federation For World Peace International

Interning at the Women’s Federation for World Peace, International (WFWPI) has been a truly enriching experience. I had the opportunity to represent WFWPI at various events and conduct my own research on a subject of my interest.

At the ECOSOC High-Level Political Forum held in July 2019 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, I was able to observe world leaders in action, take notes and speak during panels and discussions, and interact with individuals working in the field of human rights - something I am extremely passionate about.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to understand how the United Nations and its affiliated organizations work, to see what they do and how they do it at the headquarters where it all happens.

Through the hands-on approach WFWPI allowed me to take, I was also able to design my own research project on the subject of Early Childhood Development (ECD) as it stands in the United States (where I currently study) and in India (my home country), and how the United Nations and other organizations are working to improve ECD around the world. With access to events where speakers are personally working in the area of Early Childhood Development at the national level and/or at organizations such as UNICEF and WHO, I was able to give my research a depth it would have lacked if left solely to secondary sources.

Ms. Ward and Ms. Kellett were extremely generous with their time and resources and truly ensured that I was able to make the most of my internship experience with their organization. I hope to be able to continue working with WFWPI on their future projects which, I am certain, are making the world a better place!

Sanjana Bhambhani is an undergraduate student at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, developing a concentration around Global Politics and Performing Arts. Ms. Bhambhani was inspired to get involved as an intern for the summer of 2019 after speaking with the Director of the WFWPI Office for UN Relations in NY, Alexa Ward, at a mentoring fair hosted by the Women’s Foreign Policy Group at NYU in Spring 2019.