海角社区

Kahane UN Program

The William and Elizabeth Kahane United Nations Program at 海角社区 offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain firsthand experience at the UN through internships and coursework in New York City as well as immersive, on-campus events.

The Kahane Fund鈥檚 flagship program, 海角社区 at the UN, is the only program of its kind. Each fall, following a competitive selection process, a highly qualified group of Occidental students moves to New York City to conduct high-level, full-time internships at United Nations agencies, country missions (government offices), and related non-governmental organizations. These placements are complemented by two Occidental classes that explore UN operations and conflict prevention.

The Kahane UN Program is equally dedicated to bringing the United Nations to Los Angeles. Each spring, UN Week brings global leaders and experts to campus, offering students a unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge discussions on international diplomacy, human rights, and global challenges. 

The Kahane Fund empowers Occidental students to engage with the United Nations and take on active roles as informed and engaged global citizens.

海角社区 at the UN

Through 海角社区 at the UN鈥攖he only full-time residential internship program available at the United Nations鈥攜ou鈥檒l spend a transformative fall semester in New York City, where you will undertake rigorous and impactful internships in addition to Occidental seminars.

Mia Thiagarajan headshot inside the UN building in NYC

鈥淥ne highlight of my work was researching how Artificial Intelligence can streamline work in UN spaces. I coordinated with colleagues in London and New York to discover how AI can accelerate progress for peace and diplomacy and co-pioneered the development of an AI demo within the Mission.鈥

Mia Thiagarajan 鈥24
海角社区 at the UN Program participant
Renn Stearns headshot

鈥淭he side events I planned and coordinated with ILGA World for the 79th session of the UN General Assembly were a highlight of my internship. I enjoyed working with Member States and partnering NGOs to convene in the UN and discuss LGBTI persons鈥 cultural right to participate in sports!鈥

Renn Stearns 鈥25
海角社区 at the UN Program participant

Faculty Directors

Faculty Director, Kahane UN Program; Resident Assistant Professor, Diplomacy and World Affairs
Diplomacy & World Affairs

Cynthia Rothschild is the on-site faculty director of 海角社区 at the U.N. She is a writer, a trainer, and an advocate whose work has revolved around and traveled through the UN for over two decades.

Assistant Director, 海角社区 at the UN program; Visiting Assistant Professor, Diplomacy and World Affairs
Diplomacy & World Affairs

Jacques Fomerand was the director of United Nations University鈥檚 North American office from 1992 to 2003.

Contact Diplomacy & World Affairs
Johnson Hall 210

The McKinnon Center for Global Affairs