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Placement Report:
The Embassy of Slovak Republic in
Ottawa / United Nations-New York City
Štefan Stanko Student number: 3161560
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Obsah
Introduction ... 3
The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Ottawa ... 4
Permanent Mission of the Slovak Republic to the United Nations ... 7
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Introduction
My internship started in late July 2017. I was trying to get to the United Nations since I came to Groningen. At the end of the day I have got an offer to represent my country at the Embassy of Slovak Republic in Ottawa.
This amazing offer came to me after months of seeking for a suitable placement, where I would be able to benefit from my studies and skills gained at the RUG. At that time, I did not know I will end up in New York city working for the UN.
After several applications and interviews, I have decided to contact my good friend from Bratislava, who was at that time member of the Slovak Parliament. I knew him from my last internship in Bratislava couple of years ago. I have approached him with simple question if he does not know about any possible or future internship for me. At the end of that week I was talking to his brother who is an ambassador in Ottawa. We agreed upon 3 months long internship in Ottawa. I was really glad, that I will be a part of the great team at the Slovak embassy in Canada for a next 6 months.
Working at the embassy was something I have always been interested about. Since it is directly linked to my study field, I could not have asked for more. I knew, that living and working in the bilateralism nature would help me to better understand how the relations, between two states are build and maintained.
Before I got to the embassy I had to go through the “preparation month” at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Bratislava. The first month at the ministry served as a guidance to real work and it was also a good opportunity to get to know people I will be in touch from Ottawa. I need to admit that afterwards it was much easier to communicate and coordinate things, once you know your colleagues at the ministry.
During this first month, I also got familiar with political and economic situation in Canada and I have learnt a lot about common bilateral cooperation between these two countries. What was crucial point for my further work in Ottawa.
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The first month wasn´t just about getting to know people, I was also honoured to help and organize the High-level Conference on the Role of Security Sector Reform (SSR) in Sustaining Peace, with the support of the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces.
The conference gathered over 100 participants, as well as representatives of multilateral organizations, including among others, the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the World Bank. This was also a great opportunity to establish contacts with several ambassadors from all around the world.
Working in Bratislava was more than convenient, since I am living 20 kilometres far away so living cost very almost zero. But it was a different story in Ottawa.
The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Ottawa
When I arrived in Ottawa, I was welcomed by ambassador Juraj Droba, who presented me to other diplomats and staff. Since the Slovakia is a small country the Slovak embassy in Ottawa is not a huge, it has 9 employees, including ambassador himself. All matters, including trade, consular work and all bilateral partnerships and agreements are dealt here. The embassy is located in the heart of Ottawa, among other embassies.
At the beginning of my internship, ambassador told me all duties and his expectations. I was really happy to hear, that I am going to be a valid member of their team. Among my main duties and responsibilities was to analyse the press every morning and to cover the Canadian media. In case something happened, the embassy is sending to the Ministry in Bratislava short message called “FLASH”, this message is to inform the headquarters about actual situation or possible emergency in country. Once we had to get to work on Sunday at 23:00 when terrorist attack was suspected in Montreal later in September.
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Among other daily routines, I need to mention, was analysing the current political and economic development in Canada. The embassy is also examining Canadian relations with other states. During my stay, the NAFTA had been a very hot topic, which required our attention. I was participating on several talks and dialogues on the EU level, where I had been representing our embassy.
Very important part of my internship in Canada was to participate at the co-ordination meetings of the EU in Ottawa and other active work on other political events. Co-ordination meetings of the EU are truly interesting, since 28-member states are trying to synchronise their interests and ideas on certain issues, so the EU can be represented in a one voice.
This fact allowed me to use my skills gained during my studies. Analysing documents and presenting our position requires to have confidentiality, good analytical, communication and organisational skills, the ability to work under pressure and as part of a team, resourcefulness and integrity are also essential.
I have primarily worked with Mr. Milan Vrbovský (Deputy Head of Mission), writing reports on various subjects. I have also supported him, making presentations and attending meetings and conferences on behalf of him. I have supported the whole section by attending Think Tank events writing resumes and summing up important developments which the section otherwise was not able to cover.
The most important part of my internship in Canada was organizing a Slovak Day in the framework of Ottawa Welcomes the World project. It was a huge project presenting Slovak culture and heritage. My position was a project manager. It means that I was responsible for a whole event and I had to plan the event from start to finish according to requirements, target audience and objectives. It was very important to come up with suggestions to enhance the event´s success.
Our goal was to attract about 6000 people, so it was not a small event. When you are organizing this type of event, money and whole budget is a vital element, therefore I had to keep a good communication with chief of our economic section, to make sure we are still within our budget possibility.
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Important part of this position was to source and negotiate with vendors and suppliers, in order to make sure everything is going to be ready on time. I was also helping with hiring personnel and making sure, that they are going to fit into our programme.
Leading the promotional activities for the event was also a vital part. Advertising the event on social media but also placing the orders for various leaflets and their further distribution as well as supervise all staff during and before the event. I have learnt that if you want to make sure that the event will go smoothly, you need to go step by step and be ready to resolve any problems that might occur.
This event was attended by major of Ottawa, Jim Watson and several members of Canadian parliament thanks to what I have gained amazing contacts in political field for further co-operation.
I need to say, that after 2 stressful months the event gained his popularity and we managed to attract more than 6000 visitors through the whole day.
After successful first 3 months in Ottawa it looked like I have impressed the ambassador and the whole team was really satisfied with my work. This fact let to the amazing offer by ambassador to prolong my internship until the end of January 2018. I was really pleased to hear that I will be able to stay for more months, in order to help them and improve my knowledge. As a part of this offer I have been working in New York City for the Permanent Mission of the Slovak Republic to the United Nations. This was something I have always dreamt about. Let me stress here, that it does not mean that it was a new internship I was just seconded to the Permanent Mission of the Slovak Republic to the United Nations, but my supervisor was the same person.
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Permanent Mission of the Slovak Republic to the United Nations
Since the headquarter is located in the United States the first thing I had to do was to attain a Visa for the United States. After receiving a diplomatic note from the ministry, I was able to get a diplomatic Visa (category G2) for unlimited entrance to the States till the end of 2021. Since the New York is one of the most expensive cities in the world, I was happy to know that my accommodation is covered by the Permanent Mission. My flat is located in the Upper East Side, next to the Central Park, what is one of the most beautiful part of the Manhattan. In the same building, where Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to the United Nations Amb. Dr. Michal Mlynár lives.
Moving to the hectic New York City from calm and peaceful Ottawa was a bit of shock. People are running all the time and the pavements are constantly overcrowded. The worst thing is, that after 2 weeks you are running with them. After couple of days in the new environment I got used to a new collective and team. Ambassador Dr. Michal Mlynár welcomed me beyond my expectations. He also ensured me that, as far as he heart, I will be a valid member of their team. Among other duties I have been covering Security Sector Reform (SSR). The SSR Unit, located within the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), serves as the focal point and technical resource capacity on SSR for the United Nations system, as well as national and international partners. Specifically, the SSR Unit supports the rapidly expanding range of field Missions involved in assisting national SSR efforts, primarily at the sector-wide level of SSR. In addition, the SSR Unit serves as a global centre of excellence by developing guidance and fostering an international normative basis for SSR.
Part of this, specific role includes the facilitation of discussion and debate between Member States, regional organizations and civil society representatives. The SSR Unit provides the secretariat for the United Nations Inter-agency SSR Task Force, which is co-chaired by DPKO
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and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This system-wide Task Force seeks to facilitate a comprehensive and coherent “One-UN” approach to SSR, with the goal of enhancing the United Nations capacity to deliver more efficient and effective support to national and regional SSR efforts.1
During my first week, I have met the Assistant Secretary General Mr. Zuev, whom I met in Bratislava during the High-level Conference on the Role of Security Sector Reform (SSR) in Sustaining Peace. Fortunately, he recognized me immediately. This only confirms that the first month in Bratislava was really vital in order to make new contacts, not only inside the ministry, but also outside of it.
Cooperation between our mission and the SSR unit was my main responsibility. By the end of the January I have organized 3 different meetings in UN HQ regarding Security Sector Reform. Organizing an event in the UN HQ requires a lot of time and patience. At first it is important to book a suitable room through meeting service. Afterwards, it is vital to contact Group of Friend of SSR and sent them Save the Date followed by official invitation. After all technical issues management, it is time to prepare a concept note and talking points for ambassador. Slovakia is one of the two co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Security Sector Reform2.
The concept note is prepared together with DCAF. The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) is an intergovernmental foundation and think tank that provides research and project support to states and international actors in improving security sector governance and reform (SSG and SSR). Cooperating with think tanks all around the world gave me an opportunity to improve my communication skills in French and Russian. I need to also stress that thanks to the University of Groningen and my studies I was able to contribute with my knowledge and skills to the different discussions.
1 Report of the Secretary-General: Securing peace and development: the role of the
United Nations in supporting security sector reform (A/62/659)
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Once the meeting is over it was necessary to write down a meaningful report from the meeting and send it out to all members of the group and all parties interested. I also felt, that my experience gained during my studies in Groningen, of screening through different documents and huge amount of information and its rewriting in a much shorter and more efficient text helped me to deal with time pressure and additional work.
I was also participating on the regular meetings3 of the Security Council of the UN, on behalf of the Slovak Mission. Security Council is one of the most interesting bodies of the UN. Writing reports from consultations, open debates of the Security Council is an amazing experience for everyone. This is a place where you can meet almost every politician. Just in January 2018, Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergey V. Lavrov, attended the Security Council debate about challenges in Afghanistan, where he raised grave concerns about illicit drug production and trafficking, which was spreading terrorist groups´ influence and triggering instability in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.
Among other things I have done an analysis of the “Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approached to Preventing Violent Conflict. This is a book published by UN and the World Bank. My analysis was also sent, under my name, to the ministry as a key document for further action. The most important thing, when you are working for the United Nations or you are in touch with them on daily basis, is to make some good contacts. It is very hard to penetrate their structures, so once you are there you need to take advantage of it. This is mostly just because of future possibility to find a job in there. It is always much better if you know people inside the institutions and when you are familiar with the nature and their work.
I do remember, that when I was applying for an internship at the UN in September 2016, I did not even get a response. The reason behind this is that they are receiving millions of applications every year and the process of choosing someone is kind of hard.
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Therefore, my advice to future candidates is: if you want to work for the United Nations try to reach them through your mission as I did. Once you are working for your mission it is slightly easier to get know people inside the United Nations as I have already mentioned, but if you do a good job they will reach to you.
Conclusion
I must admit that this internship was one of the best thing ever happened to me. During last 6 months I have met a lot of amazing and inspiring people who helped my carrier to grow. The fact that I had a chance to try bilateralism (at the Slovak Embassy in Ottawa) and multilateralism (in New York City) in International Relations is a huge plus. Some say, that these are two different field and I need to say that it is correct. While you work for an embassy you “drive the agenda” but once you work for a mission to the United Nations, you are “driven by the agenda”. I think that this is the best description of both experiences.
Throughout my internship, I could definitely understand more about international relations and policy making processes. The main message I am taking from my internship is that networking is the key element. You need to know right people to get what you want.
Diplomacy is also very tricky field, sometimes you have to read between the lines to get the point and you need to be really careful what you say or write, however, it is beautiful. Moreover, the internship helped me to discipline myself, work independently, be patient, self-trust, do not be afraid to take an initiative and last but not least improve my ability to solve problems. Apart from that, I had also developed my communication and organization skills that helped me to survive in very hectic and sometimes chaotic situations. Teamwork is also an essential, in terms of reaching your set goals. I was always trying to do my best for the team, since working together is going to be always the best way how to reach your goals. Therefore, I was always trying to motivate other members to do the same.
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I am also really happy, that I can say that my internship resulted into the real job opportunity. Right now, I am staying with the Slovak Mission to the United Nation. I have already signed the contract for one year with the Ministry and I am going to stay in New York till the end of the 2018. My main focus remains on SSR and issues related to this field.
At the end, I would like to take this opportunity and thank to the University of Groningen. I am pretty sure, that without the support of my alma mater as well as the support of the exchange coordinators and student desk, I would not be able to go through this amazing experience.
