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School of Diplomacy and International Relations
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Links to the UN Community

Our unique UNA-USA alliance serves as a bridge to the world of international diplomacy.

The School of Diplomacy and International Relations was established in exclusive alliance with the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), a key division of the United Nations Foundation (UNF) dedicated to policy research, education and advocacy on the United Nations and global issues. UNA-USA and UNF work closely with the School to provide students with opportunities to foster their professional development. Benefits for students, the School and the University, include but are not limited to:

 Partners in Uniting Nations

The United Nations Association of the USA and Seton Hall's School of Diplomacy maintain a dynamic partnership that fosters thought leadership, joint programs and more, for the benefit of not just students, but the wider global community.

UN Intensive Summer Study Program

The School of Diplomacy and the United Nations Association of the USA co-organize an annual United Nations Intensive Summer Study Program for students from across the United States and around the world. Designed for advanced undergraduate, graduate students and working professionals, this week-long program immerses participants in the political dynamics of the United Nations. Students attend official sessions at United Nations headquarters and briefings and seminars at the UNA-USA. Directed by Dr. Courtney Smith, Associate Dean at the School, the course is designed to familiarize students with the inner workings of the United Nations by bringing them together with distinguished practitioners working in the field of multilateral diplomacy.

Semester in Washington, D.C., Program

All qualifying graduate and undergraduate students at Seton Hall can elect to take classes in the heart of Washington, D.C., at UNF's Pennsylvania Avenue location. This coursework is completed in conjunction with semester-long internships at organizations and government agencies such as The White House, the CIA, U.S. Department of State, Commerce, Homeland Security and Justice; at businesses such as McClatchy Newsgroup and World Bank Group; and at nongovernmental organizations and embassies as part of the School's Semester in Washington, D.C. This program allows current students to spend a fall or spring semester in the nation's capital while maintaining their degree program and financial assistance at Seton Hall University. Learn more »

Internships

Through internships at UNA-USA, the United Nations, and its related agencies and neighboring diplomatic missions, students contribute to research and analysis of key issues before the international community. Learn more about the School's internship program »

Hosting a Sergio Vieira de Mello Endowed Visiting Chair

In collaboration with the United Nations' Deputy Secretary-General and the Department of Political Affairs, the School is pleased to honor the memory of a fallen diplomat by hosting Sergio Vieira de Mello Endowed Visiting Chairs in the Practice of Post-Conflict Diplomacy from within the UN system. The Endowed Chairs provide both graduate and undergraduate students with course instruction, workshops, presentations and advising, sharing critical skills and essential field knowledge needed to make a difference, as Sergio Vieira de Mello did so skillfully, in a world of risk and opportunity.

Student Youth Representatives to the UN Department of Public Information

The School of Diplomacy is recognized as a non-governmental organization affiliated with the UN Department of Public Information. This designation empowers the School to name two students as youth representatives to the Department of Public Information at the United Nations. Catch one of our representatives, Gabriela Taveras, representing the School in a panel discussion at the UN on Partnerships for Success: NGOs, Youth and the UN

Hosting special events featuring high-profile UN officials

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at Seton Hall

The School of Diplomacy welcomed United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to Seton Hall as part of its World Leaders Forum speaker series. Learn more »

Through a variety of on-campus events, students have the opportunity to hear from and directly engage with members of the UN community. The School's alliance with UNA-USA played a key role in the School hosting UN Secretaries-General Kofi Annan and Ban-Ki Moon, among other guests. This exposure builds upon the knowledge students develop in the classroom and expands their professional networks. Read more »

Free UNA-USA student membership

Graduate and undergraduate Diplomacy students can sign up for free UNA-USA membership which unlocks a behind-the-scenes look at the United Nations through monthly conference calls with UN officials, topical reporting through UNA-USA's online magazine The Interdependent, and the opportunity to participate in official UN events and conferences. Current students can register for their free account at UNA-USA's website »

Hosting research projects for the UN community/Access to research resources

Another dimension of the School's relationships with the UN community is the constant flow of information and resources between our campus and New York City. Seton Hall serves as an official UN depository library, and houses the archives for UNA-USA in its campus library. A UN Research Guide from University Libraries providing links to the latest UN resources can be accessed here. As a result of UNA-USA's support, the School of Diplomacy was selected to serve as the coordinating Secretariat for the UN Dialogue Among Civilizations and published the resulting report, Crossing the Divide.

The School also served as the host institution for the UNA History project. The UNA History project produced a book publication on the history of UNA-USA from its founding through its merger with UNF in 2010. The project was led by Ed Elmendorf, a former President of UNA. Diplomacy student interns supported the research and writing of this project.