What's it like to work at an international org?

Published: 17 May 2011 Modified: 02 September 2011

Staff members at the international organisations describe how they are working to promote peace, justice and security in the world.

‘This place has something magical’

Zosia Jongeneel, facilities manager at the Peace Palace

Zosia Jongeneel is the hostess at the Peace Palace. She entertains all kinds of guests, whether they be prominent lawyers, international judges, foreign heads of state or members of the Dutch Royal family. ‘This is a place that matters’, she says. ‘What happens here has worldwide repercussions and makes the headlines. It’s fun to work here!’

‘We get to do the dirty work’

Thashan Pillay, weapons inspector at the OPCW

South African Thashen Pillay is on the road an average of 120 days a year conducting verification inspections of industrial facilities for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). ‘This organisation doesn’t normally seek publicity , so its work is not really well known. Very few people know how important it is. To my mind, it is truly remarkable what the OPCW stands for and contributes.’

‘Leaders can no longer escape unpunished’

Christian Chartier, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)

Christian Chartier has worked for the ICTY for 16 years. In three months’ time he will return to his home country of France to set up a centre for the study of international tribunals at the University of Limoges. ‘One thing is for sure’, he says. ‘The day Mladic is caught, there is only one place in the world where I want to be - here.’

‘Hope that justice will finally be served’

Maria Mabinty Kamara, ICC Outreach Programme

Maria Mabinty Kamara worked for the Special Court of Sierra Leone before she came to Uganda three years ago. Her work as Outreach Coordinator for the International Criminal Court (ICC) fulfils a long-time aspiration. ‘Outreach brings the Ugandan people, who have suffered so much during the war, closer to the court. I see a new confidence and resilience among them, there is a hope that justice will finally be served no matter how long it might take.

‘It’s healthy to broaden your horizon’

Ove Fallenius, Eurojust

Ove Fallenius from Finland works in general services at Eurojust. Together with the Corporate Service Unit Team he is responsible for transport, security, events and building maintenance. ‘If we stop, Eurojust stops’, he smiles. ‘And that would be too bad, because Eurojust does important work.’