Testimonials

Interns have found their experience with the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre to be enriching and opportunity-building. Here is what some of them have said about their internship.

My internship with the PPC has greatly contributed to my research work and the advancement of my career goals. Currently I work as Assistant to the UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia. The knowledge and experience I got at the PPC helps me a lot in my everyday work and makes me proud of being a former PPC intern.

David Mushkudiani
Former Intern at the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre

The PPC internship programme has been an incredible experience in many ways.

First of all, the work I had to accomplish allowed me to develop my professional capacities, my sense of responsibility, my relationship with the other members of the staff, and my vision of the current international situation. As I worked in two departments (Programmes and Advancement), I had the chance to work on a course that was delivered in Costa Rica. There I met interesting people and expanded my knowledge of Latin America. I had the opportunity to work on several subjects and developed briefings on Colombia and the International Criminal Court.

At the same time, I got to know wonderful people, interns who are today friends, and staff members.

Maria-Cristina Diaz Malnero
Former PPC Intern
February - July 2002

My internship at the PPC afforded me many opportunities to gain exposure to the dynamics of peacekeeping in today's complex world. From researching issues for PPC staff, to interacting with course participants from all over the world, to actually traveling with a PPC course to an active UN peacekeeping mission, my internship was an eye-opening experience that has helped me focus my career goals and personal objectives.

On any given night of a PPC course, a visit to the Lounge will give you the chance to meet and discuss issues with senior military officials, people working with NGOs all over the world, government officials and concerned civilians. Aside from that, the PPC interns themselves represent a virtual United Nations all on
their own. I lived and worked with other interns from Canada, England, Hungary, Kosovo, Ukraine, Chile, the U.S., France, Bulgaria, Serbia, Japan and Spain. This experience alone made me realize (and appreciate) just how many different points of view there are in this world and how fervent discussion and healthy debate are in and of themselves the best way to begin developing a common understanding of what this world
could, and should, be.

This is a realization and appreciation that I owe to my 7-month internship at the PPC. Finally, having the chance to work with the PPC's staff was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had in my life. From my own experience, I would highly recommend an internship at the PPC to anyone who is interested in learning more about the field of peacekeeping.

Andrew Starr
Former PPC Intern
October 2000 - April 2001

My first career-related experience was a four-month internship at the Pearson Centre, which set the foundation on which future opportunities have been made available to me, and continues to open professional doors. It was not only a chance to work with and meet people from different countries from around the world but also, to make contacts and friendships that I to this day, carry with me. I found the work both interesting and challenging, and continue to draw on the experiences I gathered while there. In fact, the internship changed my career path, as the contacts I made opened up what were until then, unknown possibilities. My internship at the Pearson Centre was an invaluable experience that continues to significantly impact on both my career decisions and opportunities I make and are presented with today.

Natalie Wagner
Former PPC Intern
May-September 2000

I was an intern at the PPC in 1999 after I completed my MA in Human Rights in the Central European University in Budapest.

I benefited in two ways from my stay in the PPC. First I learned how to develop and run training courses. Second I learned how to work in a professional and multicultural environment with professional people.

At the moment I work in Kosovo. I am a human rights trainer at the Kosovo Police Service School where we train local police officers. In January I was tasked to develop and implement a "Human Rights for Law Enforcement Trainers" course. My experience at the PPC helped me a great deal and made it much easier to complete a professional product. The course is successful and I know that without my experience at the PPC I could not do such a good job.

Istvan Lipniczki, Former PPC Intern
August - November 1999

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