Student visit to the UN office and UNIDO in Vienna

For the fourth consecutive year the IMC Export students have paid a visit to the UN Office Vienna (30th October), under the auspices of the Chair for International, Legal and Global Political Studies. The first part of visit was composed of introductory lecture on the UN in general and followed by the documentary movie and two standing UN exhibitions. The second, more substantive part of visit was on mandate role and activities of UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The UNIDO hosts, Mr. Kerry Timmis, Ms. Manuela Bösenhofer (the EXP graduate of 2004) and Ms. Alexandra Wogritsch (EXP 7th sem student), warmly welcomed the students and their Chair Mr. Anis H. Bajrektarevic and gave an excellent overview of UNIDO’s global activities.

Senior UNIDO official Mr. Timmis presented the 8 Millenium Development Goals, UNIDO’s Business Plan, its budget and the Organization’s focus on micro, small and medium sized agro-industries in the least developed countries. Ms. Bösenhofer, herself an IMC alumna and now committing herself full time for Corporate Social Responsibility at the UNIDO, emphasized the difference in CSR and Philanthropy and the importance of CSR in today’s small and medium-sized enterprises. Ms. Wogritsch, an IMC student doing her second internship at the UNIDO, excellently presented UNIDO’s current project with Microsoft and was the students’ distinguished source for information on internships at the UN. Throughout the presentations, Export students questioned and reflected on issues like UNIDO’s historical development, fundraising modalities, CSR and the importance of the UNIDO in today’s world.

Mr. Timmis stated he was very impressed by the student’s interest and knowledge as demonstrated throughout vivid discussions and complimented the students commitment as well as the long-lasting cooperation between the UNIDO and the IMC Export Department. Mr. Timmis looks forward to future cooperation with the IMC and more highly committed Export trainees.

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic