Meg Fitzgerald interned with the RSO Transnational Crime and Technology Programme from July 2023 to April 2024 supported by her 2022 New Colombo Plan Scholarship, an Australian Government initiative that supports scholars for 19 months to study, intern, and learn a language in the Indo-Pacific.

Meg is currently in the final weeks of her Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Government and International Relations studies at Griffith University, Australia, and is authoring her thesis on the applicability of the non-punishment principle to victims of trafficking into scam centres.

Before joining the RSO, and also as part of the scholarship, she completed a six-month internship with the Trafficking in Persons/Smuggling of Migrants Programme at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

What motivated you to pursue an internship opportunity with the RSO?

Actually, I decided to pursue a degree in laws and political science because I knew I wanted to work in preventing crime and promoting criminal justice. After undertaking a few research and volunteering opportunities during my undergraduate degree, this translated into a passion to work in the field of countering transnational crime, particularly trafficking in persons.
The RSO’s mandate and capacity to bring together governments, law enforcement, private companies, and civil society organisations, and to engage them at the operational, policy, and capacity-building levels, provides the RSO with the potential to coordinate holistic responses to irregular migration and related transnational crime. Interning with the RSO was a positive step in my journey to further learn and grow in the space of countering transnational crime. Specifically, I was keen to learn more about how the RSO coordinates responses to transnational crime at the policy level.

Is there a particular project or task that stands out as a significant achievement for you during your time at the RSO?

At the RSO, I interned with the Transnational Crime and Technology Programme. During my nine-month internship, I supported the team and the wider RSO on a number of events, publications, and office processes. There are so many projects and tasks that I’m proud to have supported. I am particularly proud of being named a writing contributor in an upcoming publication that researched and analysed how social media platforms facilitate transnational criminal activities. Another significant achievement was being given the opportunity to co-lead on logistics for a roundtable on combatting maritime people smuggling, which saw the attendance of some 40 government officials from across the Asia-Pacific and which received positive media coverage.

What new skills or knowledge have you gained during your internship?

In terms of knowledge, working on a technology-focused programme has taught me a lot about the intersection of technology and transnational crime. The Transnational Crime and Technology team carried out a lot of research on the dual role of (emerging) technology—how technology might be misused by criminals to facilitate criminal activities, as well as how it might be used by law enforcement to combat transnational crime. If criminals can use technology, so can we. I also got to expand my knowledge on the intersection of transnational crime, corruption, and money laundering.

In terms of skills, my time at the RSO has definitely honed my project management skills. For example, I was involved in most stages of organising an event, including procurement requests, coordinating with delegates and hotel staff, supporting on the day, and writing a news story for the event afterwards. The RSO is a very multicultural place to work, with over 15 nationalities represented in the office. So, I’d also say working at the RSO was an opportunity to work on cross-cultural communication skills, which are so important in a multicultural environment to ensure people can understand each other and work effectively together.

Reflecting on your internship, what has been the most rewarding aspect for you?

One of the most rewarding aspects of this internship is the kindness and trust colleagues at the RSO have shown me. My team demonstrated passion and high work ethics and standards, motivating me to match these and do my best every day. My supervisor also gave me many opportunities to test my knowledge and skills by letting me take on various responsibilities, which may not necessarily have been possible in another office. Their trust and kindness have led me to learn and grow a lot, both professionally and personally.

Were there any significant challenges you faced during your internship, and how did you navigate them?

The work of international organisations will only ever be effective if they respond to the needs and demands of their Member States. The RSO is no different. It must be responsive to Bali Process Member States and Working Groups. Therefore, there are areas that moved slower than others, but there are also things that moved really fast and required immediate attention. It was a very dynamic environment and at times, navigating changing priorities was definitely a little challenging. However, I enjoyed the challenge because this meant that every day was a different day. 

Based on your experience, what advice would you offer to others considering an internship with the RSO?

An internship at the RSO is what you make of it. If you’re new to the field, it’s a great place to learn. Everyone at the RSO is very supportive and willing to share their knowledge. If this field is an area you’re passionate about, then it’s a great place to expand your knowledge and continue growing. There will be many opportunities to take on more responsibilities and while challenging at times, these were the most rewarding experiences during my internship. Do not be afraid to ask questions and put your hand up when the time comes.

What are your plans and goals now that your internship is coming to an end? How has this internship influenced your career aspirations or future plans?

This internship has definitely confirmed my career aspirations to work in countering transnational crime. Currently, I am considering taking a break from my studies. I would like to work for a few years in the field to gain more experience. Eventually, I would like to pursue a master’s degree in law (LLM) specialising in criminal law and criminal justice. There are many universities out there offering courses addressing topics on transnational crime, including trafficking in persons, corruption, and money laundering.

Lastly, do you have any final thoughts or reflections you’d like to share about your overall experience?

I just would like to thank everyone at the RSO for being so kind and supportive of my internship and for always being willing to share their time and knowledge to teach me. I’m very thankful for the mentorship I’ve received from many colleagues in the office, who have truly shaped me as a person and a professional. Wherever I end up next, I hope I can find people who embody similar kindness, values, and work ethics as those at the RSO.