School of Diplomacy Students Engage at 70th Commission on the Status of Women at the UN

Every March, the United Nations Headquarters in New York becomes the center of global dialogue on gender equality, as thousands of delegates, civil society representatives, and policymakers converge for the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). For Seton Hall’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations students, this landmark gathering is not a distant event to follow from afar, but an experience they can walk into firsthand.

This year, a group of School of Diplomacy students attended the 70th Session of the CSW, which was held under the priority theme “Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and addressing structural barriers." Their participation reflects one of the most distinctive advantages of studying at Seton Hall University: the proximity to New York City and, consequently, to the United Nations Headquarters, in addition to the institutional support from student organizations like the United Nations Association at Seton Hall (UNA-SHU) to engaged faculty, which turns that proximity into opportunity.

The sessions students attended spanned a wide range of critical topics, from digital inclusion and women’s entrepreneurship to gender-based violence and humanitarian response. Zuleyha Cite, M.A. student '26, participated in panels organized by several NGOs, including KAGIDER, the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Türkiye, where discussions centered on empowering women in business and driving social transformation. During that session, she had the opportunity to meet Türkiye's Minister of Family and Social Services, H.E. Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş. "Participating in CSW70 enhanced my optimism and understanding of the growing role that women leaders play in today's challenging world," Cite reflected. "It was great to meet many women leaders from all around the world and remember how strong we are."

For Natalie Malatino, M.A. student '27, a highlight was attending a session hosted by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, where she heard directly from Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN. "Hearing directly from Ambassador Ahmad made the experience especially impactful," she said. "I am always excited to continue building on experiences like this as I explore opportunities in international policy and diplomacy, with the support of opportunities provided by Seton Hall University."

Neve Walker, an undergraduate student and Vice President of UNA-SHU, was moved by the energy of the gathering itself, by the concentration of changemakers in a single space, and by the tangible evidence of the UN's on-the-ground work. She attended a session on a program addressing the screening of sexual abuse incidents against children in internally displaced persons camps in Sudan and Ethiopia. "Most think that the United Nations does not do anything," Walker said. "This is because of the lack of coverage of on-the-ground development work. The work of the UN is not done alone, and I am happy to be part of the community that focuses on peace-building and sustainable development work."

Monique Tiezzi, Executive M.Sc. student '27, attended CSW70 as a Brazilian delegate, participating in official discussions alongside Brazil's Ministry of Women. She was struck by the power of civil society engagement and the urgency of the moment. "More than ever, it's time to engage in dialogue, share accurate information, and foster critical thinking about human rights and the rights of women and girls exactly where we are," she said. While acknowledging the structural limitations of the CSW as a state-dependent process, Tiezzi emphasized the transformative potential of collective action: "Every single effort from women, girls and communities all around the world can transform lives, avoid violence and build a better future for everyone."

Across their different sessions and perspectives, what united these students was a shared sense of purpose and gratitude for an institution that places them at the heart of global diplomacy. The School of Diplomacy's location, its active student organizations, and its faculty's encouragement ensure that events like CSW70 are not simply items on a calendar, but formative experiences that shape future leaders in international affairs.

As the international order faces mounting pressures on gender equality and multilateral cooperation, the presence of Seton Hall students at the UN is a reminder that the next generation of diplomats is already in the room.

Categories: Nation and World