This summer, I had the opportunity to complete a legal placement at UNHCR. The thematic focus of my LIA Project was statelessness, referring to the condition where a person is “not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law”, per Art 1(1) of the 1954 Statelessness Convention. I worked primarily with the Iraq Legal Team and MENA Protection Service to advance the #IBelong Campaign to end statelessness by 2024. Throughout my time at UNHCR, I undertook a number of tasks that I greatly enjoyed and found meaning in.

Firstly, I conducted a legal analysis of key gaps in Iraqi nationality laws and evaluated potential areas of reform in line with international standards. I prepared a 6-page précis for Senior Management and 2-page summary of my research for a meeting with the Iraqi Ministry of Interior (MoI). It was rewarding to contribute in building momentum for enhanced collaboration with MoI in eradicating legal barriers that prevent access to a nationality, a step toward the eventual goal of actual legal reform. My work also involved drafting a background note and legal analysis for a meeting with the Kurdistan Regional Government, thus drawing greater governmental attention to affected stateless populations who may require additional support. Additionally, I prepared a Seed Funding Proposal for joint initiatives across UN Agencies in addressing childhood statelessness, which created the impetus for more targeted collaboration across the UN and partner organisations. Lastly, I co-reviewed a report on statelessness, supporting my team in producing accurate and comprehensive data on stateless demographics.

A key takeaway I had is to always be open to new learning opportunities. I sought permission to be involved in additional tasks that interested me, and was very fortunate to have accommodating mentors who were equally responsive to my eagerness to learn. As such, I had the chance to contribute to other projects such as summary notes for a meeting with the Director of International Protection, a Brief for the Multi-Annual Country Plan 2024-2027, and research for a meeting with a UNHCR consultant. These were all rewarding experiences that helped me gain deeper insight into UNHCR's work and mission. Moreover, I visited the UNHCR Jordan Country Office and attended various briefings with my Protection Unit colleagues, which helped me understand different thematic areas beyond statelessness. In this regard, I learnt to balance between having an initial plan for projects I undertake, and being open to novel opportunities along the way.

Additionally, I learnt the importance of seeking meaning in my work. As the right to a nationality is the right that precedes all other fundamental rights (such as the right to an education, healthcare or housing), many stateless individuals live in the cavities of society. Being able to support in pursuing legal reform and greater government assistance for these individuals was a great source of meaning for me. I was also very lucky to have worked with colleagues who were highly dedicated to championing for change in the lives of affected individuals, and who inspired me with their motivation and drive.

As Count Rostov opined in A Gentleman in Moscow, ‘a man must master his circumstances or otherwise be mastered by them’. Initially, I was apprehensive as I had never travelled to another country for work before or worked in an intergovernmental organisation. However, instead of focusing on feelings of trepidation, I learnt to shift my perspective to welcome the plethora of uncertainties because it meant that I had various avenues to explore and learn. I was very lucky to also have been exposed to an amazing culture with welcoming, kind and hospitable people who were always ready to help. 

Additionally, this experience taught me that there is beauty in every experience and circumstance. Jordan is a country where the theme of light features heavily – the sunlight spreads a warm golden hue across the sandstone buildings and the sunset turns the sky a beautiful gradient of purple which recedes into dusk dotted with numerous city lights. This visual reminder of the temporal cycle urged me to make the most of my time and be fully present in my LIA Project, instead of always thinking of the next opportunity or experience. It is an ethos that I hope to carry forward into my future career and life journey.

Overall, I am extremely thankful for the support and guidance of the Laidlaw Team, UNHCR, my colleagues and mentors, my peers and everyone else whom I've met along the way.