As an aspiring professional in the field of international relations with a keen interest in diplomacy, the opportunity to pursue an internship opportunity with Peru’s Representation at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montréal, Canada has been a unique and beyond enriching experience. With a growing interest in the United Nations since I was a child, I have always had a special interest in the dynamics that shape interactions between nations and international organizations, which ultimately led me to specialize in Political Science as one of my undergraduate majors. As such, throughout my undergraduate studies, I have learned about the various aspects involved in global governance, diplomatic negotiations, and international law, laying a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of international cooperation. This internship aligned with my commitment to understand and address social issues and represented a remarkable opportunity to merge my academic knowledge with practical experience in the realm of aviation diplomacy. My academic background, career aspirations, and passion for contributing to world safety is what ultimately led me to apply for this internship. I wanted to learn from the experiences of diplomats and aviation professionals, and to gain insights into the complexities of international diplomacy and the practical realities of advancing policy change within bureaucratic institutions.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that serves as the primary platform for international cooperation in the aviation sector, responsible for setting international standards and regulations necessary for the safe, efficient, and sustainable development of civil aviation. As such, Peru’s representation at the ICAO serves as a diplomatic and administrative hub for the nation’s involvement in global aviation governance. Established to facilitate Peru’s engagement with the international aviation community, this representation plays a vital role in shaping policies, regulations, and initiatives that affect the aviation sector globally. Peru’s representation at ICAO acts as the official liaison between the Peruvian government and the organization, facilitating communication, collaboration, and participation in ICAO activities. As an intern for the Peruvian delegation, my responsibilities included, but were not limited to, conducting extensive research on civil aviation policies, assisting in the drafting and evaluation of policies and regulations, planning and executing projects related to aviation safety, security, and sustainability, and supporting the organization of diplomatic events, handling logistics and scheduling.
The highlight of my internship was by far the 39th Session of the Legal Committee, which was held in Montréal from the 24th to the 28th of June 2024 that I attended as part of Peru’s delegation. Although I was only an advisor, this was a thrilling experience for me. For the entirety of the Legal Committee sessions, I was able to observe firsthand a range of activities and discussions, such as the review of international conventions and protocols, working group activities, debates, voting, resolution drafts and more. These meetings are typically detailed and technical, requiring participants to have a deep understanding of international aviation law and related regulations. Although I could not grasp everything, I was incredibly thankful for having studied the legal procedures and vocabulary beforehand. The whole event was a great experience, and afterwards, I was given the responsibility of writing a report on the sessions, including the legal procedures that took place. With the help of my notes, I was able to submit an 8-page report which, after my supervisor’s approval, was sent to the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Relations for their review. This was the most important task I was assigned during my time as an inter, and I can proudly say I accomplished it successfully.
This internship has been a unique opportunity and made a great impact on my university experience. It provided me with an opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge and skills I gained from my studies at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, such as policy development and research. Additionally, working alongside professionals at the ICAO allowed me to develop essential work skills, such as a strong work ethic, project management, and communication. I can now say with confidence that I am ready to enter the workforce upon graduation.
To conclude, I’d like to thank the Arts Internship Office. Considering this was an unpaid internship, I can surely say that without their generous funding, I would not have been able to accept this offer. The funds allowed me to fully commit to this position while being able to afford rent, groceries, transportation, and utilities. Thank you.
