Changing the world

Representing your country on the world stage is an achievement few can say they have accomplished. What if you can represent China by working for the United Nations (UN)?
在世界舞台上代表祖国，这是一项没有多少人能够做到的成就。如果你能代表中国，在联合国工作，会是什么样呢？

Both at home and abroad, hundreds of nationals represent China as part of the UN in various roles. So if working at the UN someday appeals to you, you may need to get prepared by learning UN workers’ experiences.
国内外共有数百名同胞代表中国，作为联合国的一份子发挥着各种各样的作用。因此，如果你想有朝一日在联合国工作，你或许需要了解联合国工作人员的经验，以做好准备。

Currently, 15 UN agencies are operating in China, including UNWomen, the United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO). While these agencies don’t offer internships to non-graduates, Meng Jun, a senior communications assistant at the UN Refugee Agency in Beijing, shared her tips for aspiring international humanitarian workers. “Proficiency in English is a must, so seize all opportunities to improve your language skills. And if you are interested in a certain area, for instance, gender equality, try to get a better understanding of the issue by following the latest research.”
目前，有15个联合国机构在华设有代表处，包括联合国妇女署、联合国儿童基金会以及世界卫生组织等。尽管这些机构不会向非毕业生提供实习机会，但联合国难民署高级传播助理孟珺还是与有志成为国际人道主义工作者的学子们分享了自己的诀窍，“精通英语是必备条件，所以要抓住一切机会提高语言水平。如果你对某一领域感兴趣，比如性别平等，那就试着关注最新研究，从而更好地理解该议题。”

To develop a deeper knowledge of current affairs, high school students can take part in UN youth initiatives, such as Model UN (MUN). It requires students to act as delegates from different countries. Like the real UN General Assembly, students must represent their country’s interests through debates, speeches and writing proposals.
为培养对时事更深的认识，高中生可以加入联合国的青年倡议，如模拟联合国（模联）等。学生们会扮演不同国家的代表。和真正的联合国大会一样，学生们需要通过辩论、演讲以及撰写提案来代表各自国家的利益。

“Through this conference, I have learned more about [the UN’s] authority and now have a great desire to learn more about international affairs,” said Zhao Chenyan, a participant in the 2020 China Daily 21st Century MUN Conference.
“通过这次大会，我更多地了解了（联合国的）权威性，现在十分想要了解更多国际时事，”2020年中国日报社·21世纪全国学生模拟联合国大会的参会者赵晨焱如此说道。

“MUN’s requirements can exercise students’ research ability and make them develop the habit of paying attention to the world,” said Qiao Qi, the 21st Century MUN’s principal organizer.
“模联的要求能够锻炼学生们的研究能力，并让他们养成关注世界的习惯，”21世纪全国学生模拟联合国大会的主要组织者乔琦如此说道。

“In recent years, MUN activities have become an important part of China’s public diplomacy. After graduation, many outstanding MUNers have directly participated in real international politics to propose Chinese ideas,” she added.
“近年来，模联活动成为了我国公共外交的重要一环。毕业后，许多优秀的模联人都直接参与到了真实的国际政治中去，提出中国的想法，”她补充道。

Even as a first-class college graduate, UN internships, some of which are unpaid, can be highly competitive, so do your best to take every learning opportunity. And remember Meng’s advice: Even aspiring UN workers should be “determined to make a difference”.
联合国的实习机会有些是无薪的，但哪怕是对于一位优秀的大学毕业生而言，竞争也相当激烈，所以，要努力把握好每个学习机会。并且记住孟珺的建议：甚至是有志加入联合国的人也应“决心做出改变”。

以上文章内容选自《21世纪学生英文报高中版》，详情请见《21世纪学生英文报高中版》高二804期