I am fortunate enough to have been selected as an Intern for the NGO Edmund Rice International in Geneva this September. Whilst this will be an amazing opportunity, as a charity both Edmund Rice International and the United Nations cannot offer paid internships. In June I completed a climb of Ben Nevis in under 4.5 hours in order to raise funds for my stay. A significant proportion of the funds raised will also be donated to Asylum Link Merseyside later this month.

What is Edmund Rice International?

Edmund Rice International is a non-governmental organisation which focus' on the rights of the child, specifically education. Inspired by the legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice, the NGO was formed over 10 years ago and since then it has grown on an international scale. It's recent work on migrant welfare has helped to hold many countries to account in the UN subsequently shaping the lives of the most vulnerable.

What will I be doing at the UN?

As part of my internship I will be spending the majority of my time at the United Nations and I will be attending the 39th session of the Human Rights Council. Whilst my work will be predominately for Edmund Rice International I will also have the time to pursue any topics I am interested in. I stated in my application that I will be focusing on the rights that are neglected when it comes to women, specifically young girls. As a key focus for the NGO, education for both boys and girls in certain parts of the world continues to be absent. This means that the freedoms children experience are dependent on factors that are completely outside of their knowing.

Asylum Link Merseyside

I will also be donating a proportion of the funds made to Asylum Link, a charity that I have had the opportunity to visit and collaborate with in the past. Asylum Link is an organisation dedicated to assisting Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Liverpool and to raising public awareness around refugee issues. The countless life-changing opportunities that have taken place due to the legal advice given and the free English tuition offered is a credit to its list of achievements. As a small organisation it relies on public donation therefore any form of contribution helps (even checking up on the link provided will mean a great deal).

Climbing Ben Nevis on the 7th of June raised considerable support and a donation of these funds will be made to Asylum Link Merseyside.

What will donations go towards?

So many university students like myself get the opportunity to become an international volunteer for a whole spectrum of organisations; CAFOD, WWF, SAVE THE CHILDREN etc. The biggest hurdle for subscribing to one of these amazing schemes is fundraising. Like any other unpaid experience abroad I must raise funds for accommodation and living expenses for the month of September. As Geneva is one of the most expensive places to live I am working all of summer to raise fees for travel and accommodation, I do need some help however.

Any donations made, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated. Checking the links will also mean a lot.

Whilst you're here this is a snippet of what has gone on at the United Nations in recent months: