Reflections from the 2026 UNA-NCA Graduate Fellows Program
By Truth T. Jackson, UNA-NCA Graduate Fellow Alumnus
Last week, I completed the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area’s (UNA-NCA) Graduate Fellows Program as part of the 2026 cohort—an experience that challenged, stretched, and ultimately reshaped my understanding of global systems and my role within them. What began as an opportunity to deepen my interest in international affairs became a transformative journey in learning how the world’s most complex challenges are addressed through multilateral cooperation.
The Graduate Fellows Program brings together graduate students from across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region, creating a diverse cohort of individuals studying international affairs, public policy, development, and related fields. This intercollegiate structure is one of the program’s greatest strengths. It creates a space where students from different academic institutions and professional backgrounds can engage in meaningful dialogue, challenge one another’s perspectives, and build a shared understanding of global issues. From the beginning, the program emphasized not just individual learning, but collective growth—forming a learning community grounded in collaboration and exchange.
I applied to the program seeking a clearer understanding of how the United Nations operates beyond the headlines. I wanted to move past surface-level knowledge and develop a more practical, grounded perspective on global governance. What I gained was what the program describes as a “UN lens”—the ability to view global issues not in isolation, but as interconnected challenges shaped by political, economic, and institutional realities.
Throughout the fellowship, the curriculum was intentionally designed to build this perspective. Weekly sessions covered the UN system, peace and security, humanitarian operations, human rights, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the most important takeaways for me was understanding that the United Nations is not a single, unified entity, but a complex network of agencies and actors, each navigating its own constraints while contributing to a broader global mission. This helped me better appreciate why progress can be slow yet remain essential.
Our visit to the World Bank added another important layer to this understanding. It became clear that the UN operates within a broader ecosystem of global institutions. Learning how the World Bank supports development through financing and policy frameworks helped connect economic strategy to broader goals such as poverty reduction, stability, and sustainability. It reinforced the idea that development, governance, and security are deeply interconnected.
The defining moment of the fellowship came with our visit to the United Nations Headquarters on April 9. Walking into the General Assembly Hall was a powerful experience—one that grounded everything we had studied. Sitting in that space, where global leaders convene to debate and negotiate the most pressing issues of our time, brought a deeper appreciation for both the ambition and the limitations of international cooperation.
During the Global Engagement Summit, I had the opportunity to engage in conversations and workshops that expanded my understanding of how these systems operate in practice. One session that stood out to me was “Beyond the Blue Beret: Community Peace Circles & Women’s Leadership in Peacekeeping.” This workshop challenged traditional perceptions of peacekeeping by emphasizing the importance of community engagement and inclusive leadership. What resonated most was the practical impact—how trust-building, local relationships, and diverse leadership perspectives contribute to more effective and sustainable peacekeeping efforts.
More broadly, the UN visit helped me understand that peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and development are not separate efforts but part of a continuous, interconnected process. Stability requires more than intervention—it requires long-term investment, collaboration, and a commitment to addressing root causes.
Equally important were the relationships built throughout the program. Being part of a cohort drawn from across the DMV created a unique environment where ideas were constantly exchanged and challenged. These relationships extended beyond the classroom, forming a network of peers committed to global engagement and professional growth. The cohort dynamic itself became a critical part of the learning process, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in addressing complex global issues.
As I reflect on the experience, I leave the program with renewed confidence and direction. I now have a clearer understanding of how the United Nations functions—not just structurally, but politically and operationally. More importantly, I feel prepared to engage with global challenges in a more informed and intentional way. This fellowship did more than expand my knowledge—it reshaped how I see the world and how I plan to contribute to it.
I applied to the program seeking a clearer understanding of how the United Nations operates beyond the headlines. I wanted to move past surface-level knowledge and develop a more practical, grounded perspective on global governance. What I gained was what the program describes as a “UN lens”—the ability to view global issues not in isolation, but as interconnected challenges shaped by political, economic, and institutional realities.
Throughout the fellowship, the curriculum was intentionally designed to build this perspective. Weekly sessions covered the UN system, peace and security, humanitarian operations, human rights, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the most important takeaways for me was understanding that the United Nations is not a single, unified entity, but a complex network of agencies and actors, each navigating its own constraints while contributing to a broader global mission. This helped me better appreciate why progress can be slow yet remain essential.
Our visit to the World Bank added another important layer to this understanding. It became clear that the UN operates within a broader ecosystem of global institutions. Learning how the World Bank supports development through financing and policy frameworks helped connect economic strategy to broader goals such as poverty reduction, stability, and sustainability. It reinforced the idea that development, governance, and security are deeply interconnected.
The defining moment of the fellowship came with our visit to the United Nations Headquarters on April 9. Walking into the General Assembly Hall was a powerful experience—one that grounded everything we had studied. Sitting in that space, where global leaders convene to debate and negotiate the most pressing issues of our time, brought a deeper appreciation for both the ambition and the limitations of international cooperation.
During the Global Engagement Summit, I had the opportunity to engage in conversations and workshops that expanded my understanding of how these systems operate in practice. One session that stood out to me was “Beyond the Blue Beret: Community Peace Circles & Women’s Leadership in Peacekeeping.” This workshop challenged traditional perceptions of peacekeeping by emphasizing the importance of community engagement and inclusive leadership. What resonated most was the practical impact—how trust-building, local relationships, and diverse leadership perspectives contribute to more effective and sustainable peacekeeping efforts.
More broadly, the UN visit helped me understand that peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and development are not separate efforts but part of a continuous, interconnected process. Stability requires more than intervention—it requires long-term investment, collaboration, and a commitment to addressing root causes.
Equally important were the relationships built throughout the program. Being part of a cohort drawn from across the DMV created a unique environment where ideas were constantly exchanged and challenged. These relationships extended beyond the classroom, forming a network of peers committed to global engagement and professional growth. The cohort dynamic itself became a critical part of the learning process, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in addressing complex global issues.
As I reflect on the experience, I leave the program with renewed confidence and direction. I now have a clearer understanding of how the United Nations functions—not just structurally, but politically and operationally. More importantly, I feel prepared to engage with global challenges in a more informed and intentional way. This fellowship did more than expand my knowledge—it reshaped how I see the world and how I plan to contribute to it.
