U.N. video conference to discuss internships

The United Nations is co-sponsoring a video conference with  OCCC Student Life, the Multicultural Student Business Association and the Dominican Republic.

Goodwill ambassador Akash Patel will be hosting the video conference from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, in the Bruce Owen Theater.

Patel said all students are encouraged to join the conference.

According to their website the U.N. is the foremost leader on human rights, development of countries and peace. The men and women serving in the U.N. dedicate their lives to the betterment of mankind, and try their best to make the world a better place the website says.

Patel said the conference will be a discussion with actual leaders of the U.N., Office of the First Lady and Global Foundation for Democracy and Development with the purpose of sharing information with students and the community regarding volunteer and internship opportunities with international government and non-profit agencies, specifically  in the Dominican Republic.

The conference will discuss leadership, human trafficking, and doctors and nurses without borders, Patel said.

He also said they will discuss volunteering and internship possibilities that students can take part in as well as learning about the function of the U.N.

Patel, who completed an internship with the U.N in January, said he spent three weeks in the Dominican Republic as a Goodwill Ambassador and motivational speaker.

Patel said the entire trip was paid for by the Office of the First Lady and was set up through social networking, using Facebook as his source.

Patel said during the trip he worked with prisoners, juvenile delinquents and human and sex trafficking victims, most of whom were children.

Patel said the children gave him gifts in honor of his work while there, which touched him deeply.

“They performed a dance for me on my last day, just in my honor,” he said.

Patel said the work he did was educational.

“I worked with thousands of people and leaders,” Patel said.

“I was on several TV shows, so I reached out to hundreds and thousands of Dominicans.”

Patel said people of any age can volunteer to work with the U.N.

However, to have a paid internship a person must have a bachelors degree and be 24 years of age or older.

“You are never too young to make a difference,” he said.

 

To contact Robert Bolton, email communitywriter@occc.edu.

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