News Article

Stephenville youth working with United Nations


11/7/2002 4:27:34 PM


Mishaud stands before the UN Flag which flies in front of Carstanjen Castle. The Marshall Plan, the American plan to rebuild Germany after WWII, was signed inside the castle. Some UN offices are now located there.


Edward Mishaud spent three and a half months in the West African country of Bénin in 2000, as a participant in a Canada World Youth exchange program. Edward (far right) is photographed with his Canada World Youth counterpart Nöel Sagui (left) and Pierre Ogoutehibo (centre), the host father to both participants.

By Tanya Alexander

Edward Mishaud spends his evenings studying German.

He hasn’t traveled from Stephenville, Newfoundland to Germany just to learn their native language, but he finds it necessary to help him function in his capacity as Junior Professional Consultant (JPC) with the United Nations.

On October 3, Mishaud put aside his reservations about traveling to a foreign country at this unsettling time, and departed for Germany on a six month internship with the United Nations Volunteer Organization global headquarters in Bonn. Mishaud’s assignment is to provide logistical support in the Africa section with a focus on HIV/AIDS.

His work, Mishaud says, is mostly about research, but the organization as a whole is quite interesting.

“We’re under the UN umbrella, but we handle only one aspect of it. We send out volunteers to countries that have need,” he says.

“We recruit people – professionals in their fields, such as nurses, engineers, teachers, who want to help countries in need. We provide them with travel to the country, a living allowance, and support in so many other areas.”

That division alone is a huge operation. They receive hundreds of emails a week for volunteer applications.

Mishaud has been there for nearly a month. The first few weeks were for basic orientation, which he says he desperately needed.

“It’s a hub of activity here! It’s easy to get lost, as there are more than 10 organizations based at the premises,” he says.

“And I’ve discovered that you need to take the initiative. I’ve made some contacts here at the organization and they are very eager to help me out,” he says.

Apparently, says Mishaud, a native English speaker is in high demand at the UN, and that makes him a desirable staff member to have around.

“Now that my colleagues know I am a native speaker of English I am getting their reports to proofread,” he says.

“It’s fun and definitely keeps my editing skills sharp, but sometimes it’s overwhelming, given that only a small percentage of the employees speak English as a first language.”

This is not Mishaud’s first international experience. In 2000, he enrolled in the Canada World Youth youth exchange program, which took him at first to Quebec for three and a half months, then to Bénin, Africa for the same period. The experience set him on a course of study and work that would lead him to this rare opportunity.

“My time in West Africa provided me with a different perspective on the issues affecting developing countries. It made me realize how fortunate we are to live in Canada,” he says.

“When I returned from Bénin everyone in Bay St. George seemed to be complaining about our health care system. All I could do was laugh. We don’t realize the quality services we have at our fingertips. At least we have a hospital and well-trained nurses and doctors, not many countries in the developing world have that luxury.”

After graduating high school in 1996, Mishaud spent some time trying to figure out what direction he wanted to take with his career. By September 1997, he decided to enroll in College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Journalism program at the Bay St. George campus, and graduated in May of 1999 with the Atlantic Community Newspapers Association scholarship, and having held a 4.0 GPA for three of the program’s four semesters.

He worked with the Georgian newspaper in Stephenville for his Journalism work placement during his last semester, and for the summer and fall after graduation until departing for his Canada World Youth placement. Upon his return, Mishaud decided that he wanted to further his education, and enrolled in the University College of Cape Breton’s (UCCB) Bachelor of Community Studies program. UCCB accepted his CNA diploma and volunteer work through Prior Learning Assessment, and applied his education and experience towards a degree, allowing him to complete his Undergraduate Degree in Political Science and English in one year.

He was on a roll. Once graduating in one year with his first degree, he enrolled at the University of King’s College School of Journalism in Halifax, and completed a one-year Post Baccalaureate of Journalism.

With his studies completed – for the time being – his thoughts returned to his international interests. He decided to apply for internship opportunities with several organizations such as the UN in Barbados and the Commonwealth of Learning (an organization based in Vancouver and focused on increasing development in Africa, the Caribbean and many Asian countries). They were very keen to have Mishaud, as was the UN, but he was having trouble deciding on which to choose.

“The interview for Nigeria went very well. This one was for a Media Liaison Officer position for nine months,” says Mishaud.

“They contacted me right away to tell me I was accepted, but I really wanted the UN position, so I didn’t say yes right away.”

Mishaud says he struggled with the decision, because he knew that if he took advantage of the funding available through the Youth International Internship Program (funded by Canada’s federal government) to do the Commonwealth of Learning placement, he wouldn’t get funding again to do the UN placement, even at a later date.

“I really wanted the UN opportunity, but at the same time, if I waited too long to hear back, I might end up with neither,” says Mishaud.

His conscience got the better of him, and he replied to the Commonwealth of Learning, which had been patiently waiting for his response, and turned down the placement in Nigeria. When he was contacted by the UN to inform him that he wasn’t accepted for their placement in Barbados, he still felt he had made the right decision. He would reapply to the UN again at a later date.

In the meantime, Mishaud secured a contract with College of the North Atlantic’s Headquarters in Stephenville, to research material for the organization’s 2001-2002 Annual Report. While in the midst of his two month contract, the UN called. They had a placement for him after all – in Germany.

“I was ecstatic. However, I was so busy with work at CNA, that I didn’t really have time to think about it,” he says.

Now that he’s had some time to adjust to Germany, he is enjoying it immensely. He now has time to take in and enjoy his surroundings.

“The office I work in is nice. It’s an old building with lots of character, overlooking the Rhine. There’s even a castle on the premises! In fact, the Marshall Plan (a U.S. program of economic aid for the reconstruction of Europe after World War II) was signed inside the castle.”

He says he is especially enjoying the culture and all that comes with it.

“Beethoven is huge here. Everything is ‘Beethoven ate here…’ and ‘Beethoven drank here…’ - apparently he was born just a few blocks from where I work.”

The markets are spectacular, says Mishaud, with bakeries displaying croissants stuffed with fresh fruit, stores with the freshest of vegetables, delicious chocolates and much more.

“The food is amazing, but also the market is beautiful. It is located in the centre of Bonn, and is lined with cobblestone streets with no cars allowed through,” says Mishaud.

“But everything closes by 7 p.m. on weekdays, so it’s a mad dash to the grocery stores. It’s like a marathon,” he laughs.

People aren’t particularly friendly in Germany, he says, which presents a challenge in making friends. Work is where most of the interaction takes place, and where friendships are forged.

“I hang out with other JPCs and Interns after work,” says Mishaud.

“We go for cheap beer, or to eat. Last week a couple of us went to see Carmen at one of Bonn’s many Opera houses. It was amazing!”

He’s formed friendships with people from Ireland, Germany, Tanzania, Lebanon, Japan and other fascinating countries throughout the world. This is a bonus, he says.

“That is one of the neat things – you don’t know who you’re going to meet next! The UN definitely embodies working and living in a global village.”

Now that he has settled into his workplace, he will be pretty busy helping to develop a strategy paper on UNV’s role in HIV/AIDS, not just in Africa, but globally. He says it’s a large area to cover, but he is also keeping his ears and eyes open for more work to add to his growing portfolio.

“I hope to do some work with the External Relations Group (public relations office), writing up a few stories and articles for its monthly newsletter, which is distributed throughout the UN system,” says Mishaud.

“Also, Deutsche Wella, Germany’s equivalent to the CBC just moved its national headquarter to Bonn. I may drop by to see about a job – you never know!”

When asked if he had any advice to youth who might be interested in doing something like this, he says that all educational and work experience, even volunteer, is important.

“You may not think that it is all connected, but any initiative you show will get you somewhere. There are so many of these programs that can be accessed, but you won’t get them if you don’t apply,” he says.

“For me, it all began with my educational experience with College of the North Atlantic. It was the post-secondary beginning which equipped me with the skills and confidence I needed to pursue my career aspirations.”

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Stephen Lee
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(709) 643-7929

or

Tanya Alexander
Public Information Officer
(709) 643-7928