Charity, Fraternity and Devotion: Wang Tingyue at ICRC

Editor's Note

Tsinghua University plays an active role in promoting the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by nurturing innovative talents, enhancing research, among many other important ways.

Meet Wang Tingyue, who obtained her bachelor's degree in International Politics (International Affairs and Global Governance) from the School of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University.

Tingyue worked as an intern in the International Committee of the Red Cross Regional Delegation for East Asia (ICRC) from September to December 2021, her role involve reports writing, analysis work and meeting organization.

Why ICRC

Tingyue's interest in the Red Cross came from her mother, who works for a Red Cross society in China and she spends her days promoting humanitarian knowledge and disaster relief.

"What struck me was when my mom was working on a body donation project, she would often go to the hospital in the middle of the night to contact the donor's family," Tingyue said.

During the summer of her junior year, Tingyue stumbled upon a job opening as an intern in the Policy Department of ICRC’s Regional Delegation for East Asia, and she submitted her resume considering her field of study.

In preparation for the interview, she learned about ICRC's core focus on its official website, as well as some regional humanitarian situations and China's diplomatic stance. She then passed the interview and began her three-day-a-week internship at ICRC.

The Policy Department, where Tingyue worked, was one of the key departments, as it dealt with political issues like humanitarianism that required policy research to propose solutions and courses of action.

"The Red Cross spirit is similar to that of a doctor saving lives, but in a variety of methods to assist people in need," she said.

With this conviction, she joined a team dedicated to making the world a better place.

Photo on the wall of the ICRC corridor

Work and life in the Regional Delegation

The Policy Department is a small team of three, and the specific task for Tingyue and two other humanitarian supervisors was to follow up on China-related diplomatic and international affairs issues through various channels. Later they would compile and write analytical reports on topics including but not limited to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference, Afghanistan, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China-Pakistan relations, and more.

Although some topics may seem to have little to do with ICRC's mandate, humanitarian affairs are inextricably linked to domestic and international politics, economics, diplomacy, and global governance, Tingyue explained.

Although the work schedule was flexible, Tingyue's job during her internship was not easy.

The Policy Department was one of the busiest departments of the Regional Delegation, and during the deteriorating period in Afghanistan, she needed to collect and organize various information and spend several days to complete a report. 

"It was the first time I was exposed to a formal and standardized report, which was very different from the academic papers I usually wrote and extremely challenging for me,” Tingyue said.

"I really feel the Red Cross spirit of humanity, fraternity and dedication, and the cohesion and centripetal force of this organization. Everyone is working towards the same goal and with the same sense of mission,” she said.

Working environment of ICRC East Asia Representative Office

Devoted to the International Humanitarian Causes

Majoring in international politics, Tingyue has always been bogged down in theoretical and historical studies, but the work experience at the ICRC allows her to concentrate on reality. 

By looking at humanitarian affairs from a political perspective, and then organizing related issues from a Chinese perspective, she realized that China is playing a crucial role in international relations.

"Whether it’s Afghanistan or Myanmar issue, China is actively participating in multilateral talks to promote peace."

Further, Tingyue also gradually realized the importance of her work. The information compiled by the Policy Department from a Chinese perspective can facilitate the Regional Delegation’s work in East Asia, establishing contacts with local governments, think tanks, etc., and thus making an impact.

In Wang Tingyue’s view, she hopes more young people will join ICRC to bring vitality and cutting-edge knowledge to it. Through this platform, individuals, countries and the international are connected to advance the international humanitarian cause together.

ICRC computer screensaver: Henri Dunand, father of the International Red Cross Movement

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TsinghuaRen | Charity, Fraternity and Devotion: Wang Tingyue at ICRC

Writer: Wei Xiaowen

Editors: Huang Fei, Maria Vula

Designer: Wei Xiaowen

Reviewers: Lin Yuan, Xu Liang