The Temple of Understanding has had an intern program since 2004 with 15 - 25 high school and college age students, selected to work with our representative to the UN, spending 6 weeks in June and July at the United Nations. The interns are educated in the various workings of the United Nations. Focusing on the humanitarian issues of concern at the UN, the interns attend open meetings in the General Assembly, Security Council and various UN Committees.

This is an intensive immersion program that includes a research project on a topic of global concern. Most often they study in depth issues related to the Millennium Development Goals and the Human Rights agenda. The students present their findings to the other interns and Temple staff at the end of the program.



   
 

Interns frequently continue to work on their topic after the program has ended. For example, they have raised money for the creation of a well in the village of Andra Prahdesh, India and financially supported an orphanage and school for children whose caretakers have died of AIDS in Africa.

The Millennium Development Goals are:

  • Eradication of Extreme Poverty and Hunger
  • Achieve Universal Primary Education
  • Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
  • Reduce Child Mortality
  • Improve Maternal Health
  • Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Disease
  • Ensure Environmental Sustainability
  • Develop a Global Partnership for Development

In 2009, 24 interns looked at a number of important and timely issues.

1. Health

  • Global Health
  • Maternal Health - both topics are of extreme importance this year.

2. Global Poverty and Human Trafficking

3. The Financial Crisis

  • Reform of the Bretton Woods Institutions
  • Financial crisis in Sub Saharan Africa
  • Alternative energy and the financial crisis
  • Religion and money
4. Disarmament

It is clear that these research topics chosen by the students are of contemporary importance and were on the summer agenda for the United Nations. See presentations below.

What the Interns said about the 2009 experience!

Thank you for allowing me to be part of something so extraordinary. I can confidently say that during these past weeks I learned more than I ever thought possible. Not only did I learn about the issues the world is facing, I also awoke to my deepest passions for life. ~ Besa

It was an experience that broadened my horizons and one I will surely never forget. ~ Bobby

I take with me a long and rich experience..... I realize, as you no doubt do, that we hold differing ideologies and viewpoints, but I have learned that such differences bring about discussion and dialogue – whether interfaith or international or simply interesting. ~ Brian

Through the meetings at the UN, our smaller meetings at the Temple and each other’s final presentations, I was able to gain insight and perspective that I know will be useful in my academic work, but more importantly, in becoming a responsible global citizen. ~ Kelsey

The lessons I learned and new viewpoints to which I was exposed by the Temple staff and at the UN are truly innumerable. I hope to incorporate what I have learned into my life with the intention of becoming even more of a global citizen. The program you have created for students my age is remarkable and unparalleled. ~ Kristen

 

 

Internship Presentations 2008 Internship Presentations 2009
Global Warming Alternative Energy & the Economic Crises Human Rights - Maternal Health
Fair Trade Health & Human Rights SSA Financia Crisis
Other Alternative Energies Global Poverty Disarmament
UN Millenium Goals Money in Religion Reform of Bretton Woods