Investing in the Future: The First Professional Internship Program for Young People at the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO Concludes
The closing ceremony of the first Professional Internship Program for Young People at the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO was held on Tuesday, 23 December 2025, with the participation of managers, experts, and interns at the Commission’s conference hall. The program was designed and implemented to empower young people, transfer professional experience, and bridge academic knowledge with practical experience in UNESCO’s priority areas. |
This internship program provided a valuable opportunity for individuals interested in education, natural sciences, social sciences, culture, communication and information, public relations, external relations, and UNESCO networks to gain practical familiarity with the missions, programs, and initiatives of UNESCO and its National Commission in Iran. Throughout the program, interns worked closely with experienced experts and acquired the professional and intercultural skills needed to successfully embark on their career paths.
The interns actively participated in various departments and areas of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, including education, natural and social sciences, culture, communication and information, external relations and strategic partnerships, UNESCO Clubs and networks, publications, the Office of the Secretary-General, public relations, content production, photography, and video editing. They also contributed to operational, research, and communication processes.
Their main activities included assisting in the organization of specialized workshops and events; contributing to the collection and analysis of case studies related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); participating in programs related to UNESCO Creative Cities and Learning Cities; producing and publishing news and media content; conducting background research; and assisting in the preparation of educational and cultural reports and projects.
During the closing ceremony, Dr. Hassan Fartousi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, emphasized the role of learning-oriented and experiential programs in developing human capital. He described the internship program as an effective step towards empowering young people, transferring institutional knowledge, and strengthening connections between the younger generation and the Commission’s professional staff.
During the ceremony, Dr. Fartousi also engaged in an open and friendly discussion with the interns. The conversation addressed the importance of needs assessment in education and the extent to which training programs take learners’ needs into account. The discussion then turned to the experience of working under difficult circumstances, focusing on the positive aspects of such situations and the lessons that can be learned from them. The interns were also asked about “value creation,” providing an opportunity for reflection, learning, and the exchange of experiences.
Referring to the importance of how individuals interpret their experiences in their personal and professional development, Dr. Fartousi noted that if people can reframe pressures and challenges as opportunities for growth, those experiences can become lasting lessons.
The interns subsequently shared their perspectives and experiences, discussing improvements in their interpersonal skills, their practical familiarity with workplace environments and administrative procedures, and how they could apply what they had learned to their future careers. Some emphasized the importance of placing greater trust in young people by involving them in meetings and collaborative activities, and expressed their appreciation to the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO for providing them with this opportunity. They also identified the combination of young people’s energy and perspectives with the experience of professional staff as an effective way to improve the quality of decision-making. In the fields of culture and heritage, participants also noted that the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO could provide an effective platform for strengthening engagement between non-governmental organizations and government institutions.
Managers of the departments that had hosted the interns also shared their views, emphasizing the positive impact of young people’s enthusiasm and energy, the fresh and creative perspectives of the new generation, and the opportunities for mutual learning. They described the program as a two-way learning experience that benefited not only the interns but also managers and experts, creating valuable professional and personal moments. In their view, the experience demonstrated the true meaning of cooperation and mutual learning.
At the end of this session, Dr. Fartousi referred to the selection process and announced that more than 115 interviews had been conducted to select the interns, with the final candidates chosen following specialized interviews. He emphasized: “Our intention has been to serve and nurture the younger generation, while also breathing new life into the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, appreciation was expressed for the valuable efforts and contributions of the interns and the managers of the various departments. The importance of continuing professional internship programs and their key role in developing skilled professionals committed to UNESCO’s values—including peace, sustainable development, intercultural dialogue, and educational equity—was underscored. Certificates of completion were then awarded to the interns.
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