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Kahane UN Program

The William and Elizabeth Kahane United Nations Program at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ 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, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµat 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.

 

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµat the UN

Through Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµat 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.

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.â€

Mia Thiagarajan ’24
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµat the UN Program participant
Renn Stearns headshot

“The side events I planned and coordinated with ILGA World for the 79th session of the UN General Assembly were a highlight of my internship. I enjoyed working with Member States and partnering NGOs to convene in the UN and discuss LGBTI persons’ cultural right to participate in sports!â€

Renn Stearns ’25
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµat the UN Program participant

Program Leadership

Director, Kahane UN Program

Dr. Azza Karam worked as a practitioner of international development, human rights and peace and security, since 1990. She worked within the UN for two decades, including as Coordinator of the Arab Human Development Reports for the UN Development Program (UNDP) and founder and chair of the UN Inter...

Assistant Director, Kahane UN Program

Ms. Krasnor graduated from Emory University and has an Master of International Affairs, with a focus on human rights, from the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University. She worked for more than twenty years at the UN, including the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN...

Associate Director of Programs and Administration, Kahane UN Program & John Parke Young Initiative on the Global Political Economy

Priscilla Falter is the Associate Director of Programs and Administration for the Kahane United Nations Program and the John Parke Young Initiative on the Global Political Economy at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ. With nearly two decades of leadership in higher education and the nonprofit sector, she brings...

Contact Diplomacy & World Affairs
Johnson Hall 210

The McKinnon Center for Global Affairs