É«ÇéÊÓƵ

Kahane UN Program

The William and Elizabeth Kahane United Nations Program at É«ÇéÊÓƵ offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain firsthand experience at the UN through internships and coursework in New York City as well as immersive, on-campus events.

The Kahane Fund’s flagship program, É«ÇéÊÓƵ at the UN, is the only program of its kind. Each fall, following a competitive selection process, a highly qualified group of Occidental students moves to New York City to conduct high-level, full-time internships at United Nations agencies, country missions (government offices), and related non-governmental organizations. These placements are complemented by two Occidental classes that explore UN operations and conflict prevention.

The Kahane UN Program is equally dedicated to bringing the United Nations to Los Angeles. Each spring, UN Week brings global leaders and experts to campus, offering students a unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge discussions on international diplomacy, human rights, and global challenges. 

The Kahane Fund empowers Occidental students to engage with the United Nations and take on active roles as informed and engaged global citizens.

Mia Thiagarajan headshot inside the UN building in NYC

One highlight of my work was researching how Artificial Intelligence can streamline work in UN spaces. I coordinated with colleagues in London and New York to discover how AI can accelerate progress for peace and diplomacy and co-pioneered the development of an AI demo within the Mission.

Mia Thiagarajan ’24
É«ÇéÊÓƵ at the UN Program participant

É«ÇéÊÓƵ at the UN

Through É«ÇéÊÓƵ at the UN—the only full-time residential internship program available at the United Nations—you’ll spend a transformative fall semester in New York City, where you will undertake rigorous and impactful internships in addition to Occidental seminars.

Faculty Directors

Faculty Director, Kahane UN Program; Resident Assistant Professor, Diplomacy and World Affairs
Diplomacy & World Affairs

Cynthia Rothschild is the on-site faculty director of É«ÇéÊÓƵ at the U.N. She is a writer, a trainer, and an advocate whose work has revolved around and traveled through the UN for over two decades.

Assistant Director, É«ÇéÊÓƵ at the UN program; Visiting Assistant Professor, Diplomacy and World Affairs
Diplomacy & World Affairs

Jacques Fomerand was the director of United Nations University’s North American office from 1992 to 2003.

Contact Diplomacy & World Affairs
Johnson Hall 210

The McKinnon Center for Global Affairs