Interns, Insights & the Baha’i International Community’s United Nations Office

Krissy Moore

My supervisor had an idea: start a blog that would showcase the perspectives and experiences of the interns working at the Baha’i International Community’s (BIC) United Nations Office. They asked me, Krisy Moore, to test it out. So here I go. My intention with this blog is to provide humble insights into the day-to-day work of the BIC from my perspective as an intern—the NGOs we collaborate with, the UN events we host, the UN Commissions we participate in, the causes we dedicate ourselves to, the principles we strive to uphold and foster in UN processes. I want to share examples and stories about the ways in which Baha’i principles and processes are manifesting into action at the UN. I also endeavor to shed light on some of the burning questions I had at the onset of my internship: How does the United Nations really work? What is the BIC actually doing at the UN? What is the BIC’s reputation at the United Nations? How do other NGOs view the BIC? What does an intern at the BIC really do and is it as glamorous as it sounds?

So, let’s start by getting to know each other better—by which I mean you getting to know me better. First of all, my internship came about after I visited Haifa. I went on my first pilgrimage with a mission to decide whether to start law school in September—at a school I didn’t really want to go to—or to decline my acceptance and hope to find something better. I was seeking an opportunity that would enable me to use and deepen my specific strengths and capacities, while being of service. What my specific strengths and capacities were—at that point—were not completely clear, but I knew they revolved around research, writing, advocacy and social justice. I returned home to Montreal with a restored sense of purpose, and like any member of my generation who is in search of employment, volunteer and any other general life opportunities, I started googling. My key search terms included: “Baha’i service opportunities”; “Baha’i year of service”; and “Baha’i human rights”. It was the last search phrase which lead me to the website of the Baha’i International Community’s (BIC) United Nations Office. “That’s interesting” I thought, “the Baha’is have an Office at the UN?” Even more interesting, they accept interns. And so began the application process. A few weeks later, my husband and I packed a rental car full of stuff and moved to New York to begin my internship with the BIC’s Office for the Advancement of Women.

This blog isn’t intended to be a heart-warming coming-of-age story involving a 5,2”, 24-year-old, small town Canadian girl, but undoubtedly those personal elements may surface—as that continues to be the reality of my internship at the Baha’i International Community’s United Nations Office in New York City. Instead, I will primarily be blogging about UN Commissions (the Commission on Sustainable Development is fast approaching) and other important UN events. I hope to bring you interviews, photos, stories and other posts that are informative, entertaining and insightful—things that will not only help you to understand the work of the BIC, but also may even help you to feel a part of the Baha’i International Community itself.

stay tuned people.

Peace.