| Name: Charles (Chas) J. Hamilton III |
| School: Harvard University |
| Year: Sophomore |
| Concentration: Government |
I began working with the Permanent Mission of Palau to the United Nations in late June with the intention to focus on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a series of meetings that lasted [three weeks] and had a general two-pronged focus: 1) The discussion of those parts of sea that are the territory of sovereign nations and 2) the protection of the sea, especially the High Seas, which are determined to be the collective property of all of humankind. Following UNCLOS, I continued my work with the mission in the capacity of observer of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Attendance here was essential to the mission’s operations [because the Economic and Social Council is the only UN meeting body where General Assembly decisions may be discussed and amended.] The ECOSOC meetings lasted the duration of the month of July, and I found this to be my primary task at the mission during this time. Other tasks that I undertook working with the mission from June to August included attending 1) the 29 th Emergency General Assembly Meeting regarding the illegal Israeli actions in East Jerusalem, 2) Palau’s induction into the UN Asia Group and 3) the Pacific Island Forum meetings where matters essential to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) were discussed.
When I began working for the Permanent Mission of Palau to the United Nations, I had no idea that it could be such a rewarding experience. I became interested in international law and affairs in my last two years of highschool and since then, the UN has been a place that I have wanted to become more involved. I had no idea, however, that working as an adviser with the Palauan Mission would give me the exposure that I obtained this past summer as I was able to be directly involved with both the proceedings of the UN and helping to shape the foreign policy initiative of Palau. Working with the Palauan mission provided such a unique opportunity because not only is it one of the newest missions to the UN, but additionally, it is a small mission, which meant that I was immediately thrust into the action; and for that reason, the work I was doing was essential to the mission’s development. I look forward to continuing my work with the Mission both in the coming months from Cambridge as well in the upcoming summer from New York. |
