A total of about 160 students participated in a major event under the BAFUNCS Career Paths Programme held in October 2023, organized with the United Nations Association of Oxford University (OUUNA) and the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR). The latter provided its main lecture theatre as the principal venue, and the Department opened a second room as an overflow with the session videocast onto a screen. The Oxford University careers service was involved in the planning and preparation, which ensured that the announcement reached the entire student body, so that the audience comprised a wide range of degree subjects. Introductory statements were given by Professor Richard Caplan from the DPIR and by a member of the OUUNA committee. The panel included Stephen Rudgard (OXF), Melanie Hutchinson (OXF) and Sam Daws as a guest panellist from the staff of the DPIR. The first half of the event comprised a discussion amongst the panellists about their UN careers which was facilitated by a moderator from OUUNA, leading into a question-and-answer session. Participants were able to contribute questions in person or online, and there was a lively interaction with questions that ranged right across the topic of seeking and obtaining employment in the UN. A small reception was held after the event to allow the participants to raise further points with the panellists.
