Maurice Brooks

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The one thing that attracted me to LIU was customer service and their ability to answer my questions. I called and talked to Dr. Wilson. He was very accommodating. He explained what paperwork was required and invited me in for an interview. We sat and talked about my goals and why I was interested in the UN program. It was not just my experience with Dr. Wilson; it was the ambiance of the entire school. The customer service reps, Dr. McSherry, Dr. Ehrenburg, and all others I contacted had a positive attitude and took the time to make me feel welcomed. So, with that I pursued the program at LIU. As with any institution of learning, it is what you make of it. I could have went to LIU and only passed the program or I could have went there with the goal of contributing to a body of knowledge and being a practitioner of what I have learned. I hope my contributions as a student and efforts after graduation has set me on that path. You see, the UN program was more than just a program. It was a way for me to learn more about an organization that I truly love. The high ideals of the United Nations are noble and require people who are committed to its success. Success to me is when countries see interests as interrelated and has a citizenry who understand how important this understanding is to achieving peace. Imagine a day when human relations are founded upon friendship and community and the world lives in peace and harmony. Very idealistic, but ideals passionately pursued can materialize. History has showed both positive and negative ways this has happened.

I am a proud graduate of LIU’s United Nations program and have passionately pursued the ideals enshrined in the UN charter. In fact, I carry a copy wherever I go. Since graduating in 2006, I have worked closely with the United Nations Association (UNA) to raise awareness in my community on United Nations issues. In 2007, I was elected first Chair of UNA’s Young Professionals for International Cooperation (YPIC) division in Kansas City, Missouri. Indeed, this was challenging but a rewarding opportunity. We had a very ambitious program for 2007-2008. We hosted United Nations Refugee Day Celebration, United Nations 37th Annual Mayors Dinner, which brought members of Congress, and hosted a Darfur Week from April 14-20. The week of events brought Michel Gabaudan, Regional Representative for the U.S. and the Caribbean, Laura Turner of the World Food Program, Kathleen Schneider of Save the Children, Moussa Diop – former AU Peacekeeper, and Akok Madut of the Sudanese People Liberation Movement. Indeed, it was an honor to serve on the panel with these distinguished individuals and to hear their thoughts on the situation in Sudan and the region. Additionally, we hosted a very successful United Nations Peacekeeping Day which brought Mr. Anis Bajwa (Pakistan) and Sunaina Lowe of the Policy, Evaluation and training Division of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. It was a very special occasion because it was celebrated at the United Nations Peace Plaza located in Independence, Missouri. This plaza is the only plaza in the United States, outside of UN headquarters, dedicated to UN Peacekeeping. Also, this was held at the same location Harry Truman announced the U.S. had become a signatory to the United Nations.

I retired from the Air Force on June 30, 2008. I am now working as a U.S. contractor at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. There are approximately 130 Fire and Emergency Services personnel there to support NATO missions in the region. There are five American and the rest are Turkish nationals. There is one Fire Chief, three Assistant Chiefs, and a logistics person. I will fill the role as Assistant Chief of Operations. I will be one of three Chiefs who will command Turkish national firefighters on emergencies ranging from structural and aircraft firefighting to Hazardous Materials and other special emergencies. This is a very rewarding experience because I will have the opportunity to work closely with the Turkish people while also learning about a culture which is rich in history. The UNA has a chapter in Ankara. I will make every effort to work with them to spread the UNA message in Adana. It will be a good opportunity to start another YPIC chapter as I did in Kansas City, Missouri.

As of June 11, 2008 I have been added to the United Nations professional roster for DPKO. For the next year my fingers will be crossed anticipating the call to serve. I have served my country for over 20 years to keep my nation safe, now it is time for the next chapter of my life where I hope to be able to serve humanity under the United Nations. Indeed, to serve at the United Nations is more than a job. It is a commitment to service that calls for sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the high ideals of the UN charter.

If I can offer one piece of advice for future graduates of LIU’s UN program, I would say, do not hesitate to use what you have learned at LIU. Use your knowledge to educate, motivate, and inspire others to take greater interest in international issues and become practitioners for change that will influence minds. We have an obligation as alumni to place peace at the forefront of how we interact in the world; not only in our professional lives, but in our personal lives as well. This is the message and personal commitment I have taken away from my experience at LIU. What will be yours?