IDHA Alumna Spotlight: Patricia Cole, ECPAT-USA UN Representative
March 15, New York — Patricia Cole always had a calling for humanitarian work. She recalls fundraising as a kid — walking around with the popular penny boxes to raise funds for missionaries working abroad — and winning an award for an international humanitarian poster competition. Born in a small New England town, Patricia was raised in a community-oriented, Christian environment. Humanitarian values were part of her childhood, and as she worked her way through school, she became increasingly interested in global affairs, humanitarian causes, and social justice advocacy. Her passion fueled her travels and studies to Western Europe, Russia, and the Caribbean, and she spent time in Greece working on a farm for community agricultural work.
Patricia continued her professional advocacy work with the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, an NGO affiliated with the UN, RSHM at the UN, and the UN NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons. After an advoacy work trip to Haiti in 2012, Patricia returned to the U.S., where she decided to pursue the International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance. She said, “It was a perfect and timely opportunity for me to build upon my expanding advocacy and humanitarian contributions to supplement my learning with solid academic knowledge whilst benefitting from the practical experience of some of the greatest humanitarian professionals.”
Although Patricia said it was intimidating to work with such an exceptional group, she described the program as exhilarating and her classmates as “outstanding humanitarians.” She said of the program, “It was an in-depth immersion and orientation to the stark and challenging humanitarian-in-field reality.” Patricia can recall fond memories of creating group presentations within her cohort and working closely together through debates and field exercises.
Patricia highly recommends the program to other mid-career humanitarians, saying, “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn and be mentored by some of the best of humanity.” It is so unique, she said, because it combines academic theory with practical experience to give students a fresh perspective on humanitarian work.
Patricia graduated from the IDHA 37 program in 2012 and now serves as a UN representative for ECPAT-USA, an anti-trafficking policy organization. Her work consists of advocating and promoting ECPAT’s mission to member states and various various UN specialized agencies such as UNICEF, UNODC and UN Women. Patricia is currently prepping for the 65th session of the NGO Commission on the Status of Women, where ECPAT-USA will present an expert panel entitled “No Child Left Behind: Ending Social Discrimination that Makes Children Vulnerable to Trafficking.”
When asked what advice she has for people entering the humanitarian sector, Patricia said it is possible to pursue humanitarian work within the lens of one’s expertise. Within the UN, for example, it is possible to pursue a job in finance, development, policy coordination, advocacy, and more. She also pointed out that many NGOs and other civil society partners, such as ECPAT-USA, are critical players working within the UN system, enaged in the international humanitarian sphere.
“One can build a career in your field of expertise while also contributing to peace and security, human rights, and sustainable human development agendas and goals.”
Patricia also said the ability to “think global but act local” is an important part of humanitarianism. “It all makes a difference no matter how minor or insignificant it may seem in the big picture,” she said. “All words and acts count.”
As a seasoned professional in the humanitarian field, Patricia has developed many of the skills and competencies necessary to carry out advocacy-centric work. And yet, she is always moved by the commitment she sees in so many humanitarian professionals, IDHA classmates, and coworkers alike. It is this passion for a greater cause that moves Patricia to continue striving towards ECPAT-USA’s vision A world in which no child is bought, sold, or used for sex, with their mission to protect every child’s human right to grow up free from the threat of sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Learn more about ECPAT-USA and their influential work here.
Written by Allison Lecce, IIHA Marketing and Communications Intern
About the IIHA
The Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA) prepares current and future aid workers with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively in times of humanitarian crisis and disaster. Our courses are borne of an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines academic theory with the practical experience of seasoned humanitarian professionals. The IIHA also publishes on a wide range of humanitarian topics and regularly hosts a number of events in the New York area, including the annual Humanitarian Design for Humanity Summit.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact: Camille Giacovas, Communications & Research Officer, cgiacovas@fordham.edu
