Fatoumata Touré
Former Intern January 2005
Student - The George Washington University (GWU)
Washington DC, USA

My internship with the Debt & Financial Management Programme at UNITAR has truly been an enriching experience, in both theoretical and practical aspects.

During my internship, my tasks were focused on two main categories: DFM'S e-learning courses and traditional workshops. During my four months at DFM, I was able to see the similarities and differences between these two forms of training and how both are conducive to the socioeconomic development of the countries and regions targeted.

Traditional Workshops:
I worked on the assessment reports for several workshops, including the "Joint UNITAR/WAIFEM Regional Workshop on Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution for Anglophone West Africa" (Ghana, 11-15 October 2004), and the "Joint MEFMI/UNITAR Retreat for Heads of Financial and Capital Markets in Eastern and Southern Africa" (Namibia, 28-30 October 2004). These reports included a synthesis of the materials covered during the workshops as well as the objectives and conclusions/outcomes. I also had the opportunity to take direct part in one of the workshops held in Geneva: the "UNITAR-Conducted Seminar on the Legal Aspects of Debt and Financial Management for Officials from the Nigerian Debt Management Office".

E-learning courses:
I acted as an Observer for two of DFM's online courses: Negotiations of Financial Transactions (NFT) and Arbitration & Dispute Resolution (ADR). My role was to keep up with the daily discussion forums and to form a synthesis of the participants' responses. I was also responsible for writing a report on the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning, compared to traditional workshops, and how e-learning has played a role in the socioeconomic development of developing countries.

Other tasks included translations, namely a translation of a document entitled "The Role of Lawyers in Developing Countries in the Identification and Negotiation of International Loan Syndications"; and the editing of a publication, "Document 20: A New Direction for African Capital Markets".

I would like to thank Mr. Babar Kamal and Mr. Michael Adalla for their wonderful direction and constant encouragement. I was privileged to work with such a knowledgeable, kind and lively team.