{"id":6296,"date":"2017-04-06T09:05:46","date_gmt":"2017-04-06T07:05:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uchceu.es\/derecho\/?p=6296"},"modified":"2021-04-29T08:52:57","modified_gmt":"2021-04-29T06:52:57","slug":"day-to-day-life-for-a-lawyer-at-the-un","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uchceu.es\/derecho\/en\/day-to-day-life-for-a-lawyer-at-the-un\/","title":{"rendered":"Day-to-day life for a lawyer at the UN"},"content":{"rendered":"

Roc\u00edo Alamar Guijarro, a graduate in Law and Political Science<\/strong> and a lawyer with a great vocation for participation in international affairs, has spoken to us about her day-to-day life at the United Nations Human Rights Council<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Roc\u00edo
Roc\u00edo Alamar, a CEU UCH graduate at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Palais des Nations<\/em> (Geneva).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

– What did you study at CEU Valencia?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I began studying a double degree\u00a0in Law and Political Science<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0at the CEU Valencia\u00a0in 2011-2012 and I graduated last June (2016). In my final year, I also decided to undertake the Master\u2019s Degree in the Practice of Law<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0at CEU, due to the nature of the programme, content and also the approach the University takes. It places a great focus on practical aspects<\/strong>, on the application of all knowledge acquired during the degree to real situations, by means of mock hearings<\/strong>, trials, and dealings with clients and other solicitors.<\/p>\n

This\u00a0practical approach<\/strong>\u00a0also helps the students to understand the reality and day-to-day work<\/strong> of this profession: many of the subjects are taught by professionals from large firms, or prosecutors, magistrates, notaries, and so on. This provides the students with excellent preparation\u00a0<\/strong>for the job market and the bar examination.<\/p>\n

– What\u2019s your current job?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Right now, I\u2019m an intern at the Palais des Nations\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>(Geneva) while the United Nations Human Rights Council<\/strong><\/a> is in session, working for a Spanish NGO which is taking part.<\/p>\n

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I HAVE ALWAYS FELT A\u00a0SPECIAL VOCATION FOR SERVICE AND HELPING OTHERS<\/strong>, SO IN MY STUDIES IN BOTH LAW AND POLITICS, I AVE SOUGHT TO FOCUS ON THE INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE.<\/span><\/em><\/h1>\n<\/blockquote>\n

As well this internship at the Palais des Nations<\/em>, I also undertook a placement as part of my Master\u2019s Degree\u00a0at the head office of Save the Children<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>(Madrid), in the\u00a0Legal Department<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Roc\u00edo
Roc\u00edo Alamar during her internship at Save the Children, Madrid.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

– How would you describe the journey to your current position?<\/strong><\/p>\n

To get this internship, I had to work hard over the course of my studies. \u00a0I also think it\u2019s really important to do something you enjoy and then to apply yourself to it as much as possible, as organizations greatly value those who are committed and passionate about what they do<\/strong>. Another thing that has helped me to get here is that I took part in different volunteering projects<\/strong>\u00a0with people in hospitals and workshops with children.<\/p>\n

This is my\u00a0first international experience on a professional level<\/strong>, but I have been abroad before for academic reasons. I\u2019ve spent time in England<\/strong>, Ireland<\/strong> and France<\/strong> during the summer holiday periods in order to learn languages. But I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll stop at this point: I enjoy new experiences and I think this is the time to have them. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve taken advantage of the opportunities CEU has offered me and next month I\u2019m going to Manchester<\/strong>\u00a0for an internship at a solicitor\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

– Did you always want to work for a NGO or an international organization?<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I said earlier, I was always pretty determined that, during my studies, I would focus on international relations, humanitarian aid<\/strong>, and so on. Since I was a child I\u2019ve been very much aware of all the problems and inequalities that exist in society and across the world, and I don\u2019t think there\u2019s any better way to contribute to changing these problems by participating in this area. In the end, law and politics affects every aspect of our daily lives.<\/p>\n

– What is your day-to-day life like at the Human Rights Council<\/a>?<\/strong><\/p>\n

This might be the biggest change in comparison with being at university, as when you\u2019re working you have to take on greater responsibility<\/strong> and deal with real problems swiftly.<\/p>\n

Working at the Human Rights Council<\/strong> is not monotonous at all, as different issues concerning the states and international organizations are discussed every day, and it\u2019s really interesting<\/strong> to be at the meetings and hear the states\u2019 different positions regarding fundamental issues such as the rights of the child, terrorism, and human rights.<\/p>\n

I also attend a range of side-events<\/strong>\u00a0held in the Palais des Nations<\/em>, and very interesting issues are debated there, such as women\u2019s roles in the different states<\/strong>, child soldiers, the human right to peace, etc.<\/p>\n

All of these day-to-day activities help me to gain and consolidate new knowledge, as well giving me the opportunity to meet some really interesting people, and also to discover the important role many NGOs play across the world.<\/p>\n