FAO’s internship: a plunge into food systems!
Given the time of the pandemic, I was apprehensive to apply when I initially saw the announcement of an internship position with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). But I chose to apply nonetheless and about two weeks later, I got an email saying that I was shortlisted for an interview. Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, the interview took place online. As an undergraduate, I felt that earning an internship at FAO is a fantastic opportunity to gain practical professional experience that will serve as a bridge to my future career.
On 8th June 2021 I started my first full-time job as an intern in the FAO Global Internship, Volunteers and Fellows Programme at the FAO Representation in Cambodia. The start of the internship was quite challenging due to the restrictions of COVID-19. The mixture of both working from home and going to the workplace was a difficult transition for someone, like myself, who is inexperienced in a working environment. Getting into the FAO systems was a difficult procedure, and the mandatory training was extensive. However, I learned a lot about the ethical working environment, how to be safe, the code of conduct, and many more things that were covered by the courses on the FAO learning webpage.
Before joining FAO, my expectations were to gain hands-on experience and learn as much as possible about international organizations.I believed that working in a multicultural atmosphere at FAO would improve my communication skills. Two months into my internship journey, not only do I get to fulfill all my expectations, but I also get to put what I've learned in school into practice, such as my analytical skills. I even get to be in the WE CAN video, where commitments for food systems transformation are made to the international stage. The WE CAN was a pre-recording of short messages of Cambodian youths and was submitted to the UN Food Systems Pre-Summit conducted in July.
I work in the FAO-EU FIRST Programme as an intern for Food Security and Nutrition policy. The work that I am doing right now is an analysis of youth inputs to the food systems dialogues and the global Pre-Summit. I get to attend meetings and dialogues using online platforms and involving people who play significant roles in reforming the food system. I was also able to witness the process of developing the National Roadmap and strategies and policies for future food systems for Cambodia.
I work under the guidance of my supervisor, Dr. Iean Russell, a Senior Policy Officer with the FIRST Programme. He guided me through the process of my assignment. With his expertise and experience, I have clear instructions for the analysis of youth interests in food systems that will benefit me in my lifetime professional endeavors.
This internship would be one of the most significant steps in preparing me for my future and identifying my strengths and weaknesses in the workplace. I am inspired to do my job better because I get to work in a diverse environment, where everyone works toward a greater good. I am driven by the belief that what I do will have a positive influence on food system transformation for a sustainable future.
This Thursday, 12th August 2021, is the International Youth Day with the theme “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”. It highlights that the success of such a global effort to transform the food system will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people.
I think there are so many roles that youth can play in food systems in Cambodia such as: first, it should start from eating healthy, learning about sustainability such as composting, utilizing recyclable items, and decreasing the use of plastic. Youth can also find opportunities themselves to become food producers and young entrepreneurs in the food system. Youth can act as role models and mentor other youth in the community to spread knowledge in school, in the community and on social media. Youth can also act as organizers in events that encourage healthy diets and the consumption of safe products. There are real job and business start-up opportunities out there and youth who are tech-smart can really make use of their education and awareness to lead innovation in food systems.
As a young Cambodian myself, young people should give more thought to the kind of world that we want to live in and start making contribution to it - if we don’t do and keep waiting, who will do it for us?
Written by LORN Sokleng