Where are they now?
Regional Information Centre (UNRIC) started in October 2007 and for the following 8 months worked for the Italian Desk.
During this period I acquired a solid understanding of the substantive issues related to the UN System and I have contributed to the organization of a number of press briefings held at UNRIC, featuring UN high-ranking officials.
Furthermore I had the chance to assist the Secretary-General's Spokesperson during the recent FAO Food Crisis Summit.
At UNRIC I had the chance to take on difficult tasks for the first time with limited supervision, learning how to work under pressure and time constraints.
After studying Political Science, UNRIC has provided me with important resources that I use, and will further develop, in the future.
Last summer I won an open competition and I am now a fellow-researcher for an Italian University. My field of research is related to the EU project "Linguistic and cultural rights and citizenship: EU action" and I have been seconded to the European Commission from April 2009.
UNRIC was not only an important experience in understanding how international organizations work but also gave me the opportunity to make some special friends.
Gabriele Corso
Former Intern for the Italian Desk
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It was with great sadness that we learnt of the untimely death of a young international team of journalists in a car accident near Hosanna in southern Ethiopia on 4 May. Portuguese national Carina Barroca and Italian colleague, Stephanie Acri, passed away, Stanislas de Cabrol, who is French national, suffered severe injuries.
In 2007, Carina participated in an internship programme at UNRIC 's Portuguese desk. During her internship, Carina proved to be an intelligent young woman, who was responsible and hardworking. She was discreet but had the ability to get along with her colleagues and gain their esteem. Along the six months she stayed with UNRIC she let us see her idealism, generosity, wiliness to live and to contribute to a better world. Carina had a lot to offer and was willing to do it discreetly.
The tragic news of her death was a shock to all those who knew her here at UNRIC. We would like to pass our sincere condolences to her family.
F.U.N was born when a friend asked how he can help the United Nations? "What does the UN need most" he asked? Friends are what the UN needs most, was our answer, and it just happens to spell F.U.N. 
