From UN to NGOs: Pardee School Takes Manhattan
“I have yet to meet a Pardee alum without a great story to tell,” reflected Sonia Liang, Director of Career Services at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, during the school’s recent graduate student networking trip to New York City.
Liang elaborated on the impact of the school’s network: “Whether it’s what first sparked their interests, the decisions that shaped their path, or the unexpected ways their international relations degree connects to their career. Each conversation was a reminder of how uniquely our graduates see the world through the lens of IR, applying it in ways that make an impact across industries.”
The three-day program, led by Professor Vesko Garčević alongside Liang, Graduate Advisor Nick D’India, and Office Coordinator Claire-Solene Becka, took students through a series of diplomatic engagements across Manhattan.
At the Lithuanian Mission, Ambassador Rytis Paulauskas hosted the delegation in a space that showcased Lithuanian art diplomacy, sharing insights about small states in global affairs. For Matey Babkin, a Master of Global Policy student (’26) from Bulgaria, these meetings with EU representatives held special significance. “It was of great importance for me to meet other EU representatives in the face of the permanent missions of Lithuania and Slovenia in New York, in order to understand more about how the career development of diplomats in Europe is going, due to my aspirations to head in this direction after the end of my studies,” Babkin reflected. Students visited Bahrain’s mission, where they enjoyed Arabic coffee and dates while discussing the country’s upcoming role as a non-permanent Security Council member. The Slovenian mission’s Sabina Carli Sitar provided insights about their UNSC priorities and global peace and security work.
The group engaged with the United Nations Department of Global Communications, learning about UN communication priorities and strategies. At UNDP Africa, students met with Aissata De, Joyce Makuei, Eve Sabbagh, and Jacob Assa, discussing the Bureau’s grassroots work and efforts to reshape continental narratives. The International Peace Institute provided briefings about multilateralism and the institute’s focus on small states in global affairs. “After several visits at the UNHQ, the meeting with Adam Lupel was an insightful briefing about multilateralism today,” Garčević noted, highlighting that “good points [were made] about how multilateral contestation has replaced (or is replacing) multilateral cooperation.” Garčević particularly emphasized IPI’s focus on small states in global affairs, noting that Lupel, a Pardee alumnus, and the institute have become regular stops on the school’s NYC visits.
“Physicians for Human Rights are a real gem,” Garčević noted after meetings with Maram Haddad and Olivia Dupont, whose “work and words made a lasting impression on all of us and inspired our students.” This sentiment particularly resonated with Babkin, who shared, “They managed to overturn my traditional Balkan opinion that these organizations are not of significant importance in the international sphere. I even plan to apply for a summer internship in their organization.” Students also participated in a Council on Foreign Relations event featuring MSNBC’s Ali Velshi, The New York Times’ Edward Wong, and CFR Senior Fellow Carla Anne Robbins.
The delegation met with UN Secretary General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, who delivered what Garčević called “an eloquent, thought-provoking and engaging presentation” despite his “24/7 agenda.” As Babkin noted, “He graciously took the time to answer our questions, offering valuable first-hand insights into the challenges of his role and the UN’s work.” At the Mission of Mozambique, Tarcísio Baltazar Buanahagi discussed the country’s UNSC priorities and Africa-led solutions. The Colombian mission introduced students to their diplomatic team, including Ambassador Leonor Zalabata Torres, the country’s first indigenous woman Ambassador to the UN – making such an impression on Babkin that he “bought plane tickets to visit the country this spring break!” Paraguay’s Ambassador Marcelo Eliseo Scappini Ricciardi hosted the group with warm hospitality.
The trip concluded with an alumni reception that brought together current students and graduates now working across diverse sectors, demonstrating the broad reach of the school’s international relations network. For Babkin, this networking event, “organized extremely professionally in an impressive building next to Central Park,” demonstrated “what perspectives our program can give us if we give in to the opportunities that Boston University provides.”
Coming from Bulgaria, the trip’s focus on how smaller countries navigate the international environment particularly resonated with Babkin’s perspective as an international student. “Beyond the academic and professional goals of this trip, my first visit to New York will always remain an unforgettable memory for someone from a small country on the other side of the ocean,” he reflected.