The first week of fall marked a flurry of activity at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs as faculty, students, and alumni participated in a host of events around the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and New York City Climate Week, which is timed concurrently to the high-level diplomatic meetings.

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, French President Emmanuel Macron met with students and leaders from several universities, including Princeton, at Villa Albertine, the French cultural institute in Manhattan. Princeton SPIA student Sokhna Fall MPA ’27 said Macron fielded questions about democracy, education, and emerging technology. He also announced the launch of the Lafayette Fellowship, which offers one year of funded graduate study at a French university to American college students with an interest in transatlantic relations.

“My takeaway was that while it's easy to focus on fighting what's wrong in the world, we equally need people dedicated to building and strengthening systems for the future—through scholarship, research, and solving real problems," Fall said. "That's central to what we aim to do at Princeton SPIA.”

Dean Amaney Jamal, who was also in attendance, said the meeting affirmed the value of public service.

“It was inspiring for our students to see a president engaging directly, not only on the importance of investing in the talent of our youth but also the important role they can potentially play in making sure that the world is more cohesive — and that cooperation ensues around our shared values,” Jamal said.

The following day, the Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment at Princeton SPIA co-sponsored a networking event for attendees of Climate Week alongside a handful of peer institutions. Attendees included practitioners, academics, alumni, and students who work in energy and environmental policy fields.

On Thursday, the School’s Julis-Rabinowitz Center for Public Policy and Finance (JRCPPF) hosted a full day of events, including a conversation with Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri ’01, an innovator who discussed emerging practices in sustainable investing, the role of creative collaboration, and the importance of aligning values with capital flows. Following that, the Center hosted a forum on climate solutions and a talk on financing climate goals in an uncertain policy economy.

“Princeton SPIA’s dynamic centers and programs led our efforts at UNGA this year, driving impactful conversations on global challenges,” said Steven Petric, assistant dean for Global Outreach, Admissions & Alumni Engagement.

Jamal was back in New York on Friday for a briefing at U.N. headquarters led by the Princeton SPIA Afghanistan Policy Lab. The UNGA side event focused on how to ensure that Afghans have a role to play in the U.N.’s peace, human rights, and governance efforts there.

Jamal spoke alongside several experts on Afghanistan, including journalists, researchers, and a human rights activist. She said that the discussion aligned with the Lab’s mission to help build an inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan as well as the School’s strategic pillar on expanding internationalization efforts.

“We are enhancing the School’s presence in the world by cultivating a globally diverse academic community, fostering international exchanges of ideas, and strengthening our partnerships with government, multilateral institutions, and international organizations,” she said.

Aside from the School’s official events, Princeton SPIA students and alumni were present throughout UNGA.

One such example was Nudhara Yusuf MPA ’27, co-chair of Coalition for the UN We Need, who spoke on multiple panels during the week, including one with former heads of state from Ireland and New Zealand.

“Doing the MPA course while engaging in these spaces has really made me think about going back to the basics: Why is coalition building and policy making so important? What is the new version of multilateralism that we’re building?” Yusuf said. “There’s urgency and a real sense that we’ve got to get it right this year.”

Some diplomats attending the U.N. meetings made a trip to Princeton’s campus during the week. Pallavi Jain Govil MPP ’04, secretary of youth affairs in the government of India, spoke on a panel co-sponsored by JRCPPF and the M.S. Chadha Center for Global India. 

"The event was a great opportunity to go back to Princeton SPIA," Govil said. 

The Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination also organized a conversation with Oana Țoiu, minister of foreign affairs of Romania, at Robertson Hall.

“These convenings exemplify the power of Princeton SPIA,” Petric said. “They reflect our ability to bring together thoughtful voices for meaningful dialogue.”

Header Photo Credit: Idrees Ghairat