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For Vitalii Martyniak, an internship with the Ban Ki-moon Foundation became especially meaningful when his independent research turned to how climate change and armed conflict are driving food insecurity in Ukraine, his home country.

Martyniak, a senior studying international relations and political science at Lehigh University, spent the summer in New York interning with the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, an organization founded by the former United Nations Secretary-General. The foundation focuses on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a set of 17 global objectives for issues such as climate action, gender equality, and education.

Though the U.N.’s work is global and far-reaching, Martyniak said he found a deep personal connection in his work with the Ban Ki-moon Foundation.

“I found meaning through my interests and commitments to climate action, as well as building strong, democratic, and just institutions,” Martyniak said.

Building Global Policy Connections

Martyniak’s work built on his long involvement with the Lehigh University/United Nations (LU/UN) Partnership Office, which connects students to global policy opportunities. He first engaged with the office as a first-year student, later interning there, and became a youth representative.

Bill Hunter, Lehigh’s Director of Fellowship Advising and UN Programs, played a key role in helping Martyniak secure the Ban Ki-moon Foundation position. Hunter said what distinguished him most was his “global curiosity.”

“He's a big-picture thinker and someone destined for an international policy career,” Hunter said.

“As you participate in different opportunities at Lehigh, such as the Lehigh University United Nations partnership, you develop a network of people, who you build relationships with, and learn about different opportunities through them,” Martyniak said. “Because of my commitment and substantial work that I've done for the partnership, I learned about the opportunity to intern for the Ban Ki-moon Foundation.”

Hunter said internships like Martyniak’s highlight the opportunities the LU/UN Partnership creates for students. The program seeks help students meet and engage directly with UN decision-makers, preparing them for future roles. 

“Lehigh students are future leaders,” Hunter said. “The UN is an incredibly competitive place to get an internship. We've had 61 students apply, and everyone has been accepted. That stat speaks to the caliber of students Lehigh is producing, and to their global mindedness.”

Research with Real-World Impact

At the foundation’s New York office, Martyniak was one of three interns. His supervisor, Sakshi Shrivastava, the Programs and Communications Officer, said he made an immediate impact on the team.

"I think Vitalii has a very strong work ethic, and he's very dependable," she said. "Our schedules were all over the place and he was very happy to come over the weekend and adapt to our schedule. He was very accommodating and understanding."

Martyniak spent part of his internship developing communication materials, supporting advocacy programs, and conducting independent research on food insecurity in Ukraine and Kenya. That project connected multiple SDGs: Climate Action (SDG 13), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16), and Zero Hunger (SDG 2). 

Beyond his research, he also learned how a smaller foundation operates.

“Usually when you think of well-known foundations, we think of huge institutions, but the foundation was quite small,” he said. “How it created partnerships and networks with other NGOs was quite interesting and new for me.”

Lessons in Global Leadership

That experience gave him a new understanding of how nongovernmental organizations operate and how influence can be built through networks and collaboration rather than size.

By the end of his internship, Shrivastava said, "he became an incredible advocate for the Ban Ki-moon Foundation."

Martyniak said for the future he hopes to work within Ukrainian governments working on sustainable development for the sake of the people and planet.

For other Lehigh students, Martyniak strongly recommends the Ban Ki-moon Foundation as a placement and added a piece of advice for students seeking opportunities.

“Just do something that aligns with your values and interests—your internship or major doesn’t have to be a perfect match,” he said. “People can learn from positive and negative experiences.”

Martyniak was the first Lehigh student placed at the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, and his positive experience has strengthened the organization’s relationship with Lehigh. When asked if Shrivastava would work with Lehigh students again, she responded: "Absolutely."