Emmanuel Small serves the Education and Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery in New York, NY. Emmanuel is supported by a grant from the UNA-USA Fellowship Initiative.

My name is Emanuel Small, a Senior International Affairs Major at Howard University (Class of 2025). I was fortunate enough to be a UNA-USA fellow, which allowed me to complete a four-month internship at the United Nations in New York City. Privileged is an understatement when accounting for my experience at the United Nations, and I am extremely blessed to be able to share my insight.

As my internship ends and I begin writing this exit blog, it is difficult to express my emotions in totality. I will try my best to encapsulate my experience during my four-month internship with the Education and Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery.

But first, a quick summary about where my passion for international affairs and humanitarianism stems from.

Growing up in a multicultural household (with an African American father and a Colombian mother), I have always been observant of the similarities and differences across cultures. Additionally, moving around a lot when I was younger and a brief 3-year stint in Colombia helped develop my inquiry about intercultural learning. Living overseas allowed me to take notice of certain inequalities around the country, and I learned about the relationship of such disparities on an international scale. It seemed to me that wherever I looked, no matter the country or state, there was a universal suffrage that seemed to only affect people that looked like me. Ever since I was young, this concept of interconnectedness has engulfed my thought process and, as a result, my actions. These experiences, paired with volunteer work, truly shaped me into the man I am today. My humanitarian passion intensified after the summer of 2023. As a part of the Patricia Robert Harris Cohort of 2023 (Howard University Fellowship), I was blessed to intern/study abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. During my time in South Africa, I was able to continue theorizing on the global systematic oppression the African diaspora faces. The conundrum of universal suffrage, or the “global south,” has plagued me for years, and I continue to try and rectify institutional exploitation while helping others along the way with humanitarian efforts. This, in essence, is why I am passionate about international affairs and humanitarianism.

I say all this in order to provide some insight on who I am and highlight the underlying significance of this internship for me. There is no other entity that embodies unity, morality, peace, and justice like the United Nations. Being able to participate in the United Nations commitment to global peace and stability was truly remarkable. Working with people from every walk of life was an amazing experience. At the UN, everyone is treated with the same level of respect and integrity, regardless of where they’re from, and that is admirable. Internally speaking, the people who work at the UN have phenomenal character and work ethic. These characteristics are contagious and even energize my own work. Coming into work every morning was a grounding experience, and seeing the member states flags being raised was surreal. It is difficult to express the emotions I felt walking into the United Nations, but gratitude is the overall theme of my internship. There is so much history tied to this international organization, and to contribute to its nobility is a privilege. Nothing is perfect, but the goals and motivations of this institution are just. The people behind the scenes are working very hard to maintain, establish, and preserve peace and order in the world.

The opportunity I have to be in this position is not taken for granted. Being able to represent my school, my community, my family, and my culture to my highest capability is a blessing. Participating in high-level discussions and vocalizing issues is my way to pay homage to those who cannot voice their frustrations.

Now, I must take time to credit my soon-to-be alma mater, Howard University. Without the opportunities provided to me through the university, I would not be able to secure this internship. I hope to bridge the gap between the United Nations and Howard University and establish a mutual relationship between students, faculty, and institutions. A special thanks to Ralph J. Bunche Center and faculty who have helped me along the way. Also, thank you to the UNA-USA team, who truly made this internship possible. The UNA-USA fellowship helped me tremendously during this internship, and without their financial support, I could never fulfill such an amazing opportunity. Of course, a major appreciation for my family, who continue to encourage me to become the best human being I can be.