Jan Peng, a double major in international relations and French, is spending her summer as an intern with the United Nations Department of Peace Operations. Peng describes the internship as “one-of-a-kind experience in the world,” highlighting her work supporting peacebuilding initiatives across various countries by conducting research, drafting reports, and assisting with policy development.
In her role at the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, Peng’s responsibilities include preparing memos, presentations, and briefing materials on political, peace, and security affairs. She also supports policy development for senior UN officials and researches artificial intelligence applications in UN peacekeeping, focusing on conflict prevention and early warning systems. Additionally, she helps plan high-level meetings and events while advancing agendas related to Youth, Peace and Security, as well as Women, Peace and Security within rule of law sectors.
Peng notes that organizing high-level meetings has improved her communication skills and intercultural competence. “For example, I assisted in organizing the Thematic Consultation on Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration and Security Sector Reform for the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review. I worked with colleagues from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, including those based in field missions around the world and in different regional offices. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively across cultures was crucial in coordinating the contributions of all stakeholders, ensuring that the different perspectives and needs of field missions were taken into account,” she said.
As part of her work on the Policy and Operational Support Team, Peng drafted a memo titled “Multi-actor Security Networks in the Asia-Pacific Region.” She explained that this involved drawing parallels between justice management strategies in Asia-Pacific with those used in West and Central Africa to synthesize complex regional dynamics for both experts and senior officials. This experience has helped her communicate technical information more effectively within multilateral settings.
Networking opportunities have also been a key part of Peng’s internship. She shared: “At the UN, you meet some of the coolest, most driven and ambitious people who also strive to make a positive impact in our local and global communities. The opportunities are everywhere: from formal receptions and events to impromptu conversations in the Delegates Lounge or even the elevators.” She noted that female ambassadors have had a particular impact on her perspective regarding leadership roles for women in diplomacy. “One ambassador…talked to me about the challenges of navigating a male-dominated field and stressed the importance of mentorship. She encouraged me to take ownership of and amplify my own voice, ideas, and values.”
For lunch breaks during busy days at headquarters in New York City, Peng prefers locations such as Riverview Cafeteria or Lobby Café but enjoys spending time outdoors when possible.
Reflecting on how popular media aligns with her current experiences at the UN, Peng mentioned: “The Netflix series The Diplomat resonates with my current work at the UN in how it explores the human side of diplomacy. Both the show and my internship provide a window into the complexities of multilateral negotiations, conflict resolution, and how international crises can quickly escalate. No one is perfect and people make mistakes. It’s a challenging and often high-pressure domain to work in, requiring frequent travel as well as critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.”
