On May 13, 2026, Peking University held an interdisciplinary salon on “Career Planning and Development for Legal Professionals in International Organizations,” themed “Broadening Perspectives on Global Governance, Exploring Career Paths in International Organizations,” in Conference Room 307 of Koguan Building. The invited speakers were Mr. Gerard Sanders, former Senior Advisor to the President and former General Counsel of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and Mr. Xuan Gao, Principal Ethics Officer at AIIB. The event was moderated by Tenured A.P. Chen Yifeng of Peking University Law School. Participants included students in Peking University’s Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Program in Foreign-Related Rule of Law and Global Governance, students in the Foreign-Related Legal Talent Program, and graduate students specializing in international law.

A.P. Chen Yifeng warmly welcomed the two guests and thanked them for their support for Peking University Law School’s efforts to train legal professionals for foreign-related legal affairs and promote international academic exchanges. He noted that, amid profound changes in the global governance system and the continued expansion of exchanges and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, international organizations have become key platforms for shaping global rules, resolving cross-border legal disputes, and advancing practical international cooperation. Seizing career opportunities in international organizations, building a solid foundation in foreign-related legal affairs, and broadening global perspectives are important priorities for the development of legal professionals in the new era. Drawing on practical experience and insights into emerging developments, the salon offered students a valuable opportunity to understand the landscape of international organizations and clarify their career paths.

During the presentations, Mr. Gerard Sanders first drew on his more than four decades of experience in international organizations, multinational law firms, and international financial institutions to outline the diverse career paths available in international organizations. He emphasized that the rapid growth of emerging economies and cross-border commercial cooperation has created an urgent need for professionals with a global outlook, a strong legal foundation, and cross-cultural communication skills. He then explained the core competencies needed for careers in international organizations, including language proficiency, academic and professional backgrounds, and professional qualifications, encouraging students to broaden their knowledge and develop their overall capabilities. He also shared insights into the varied opportunities for career development within international organizations, encouraging students to remain true to their original professional aspirations, strengthen their overall capabilities, and seize career opportunities.

In his presentation entitled “Law and Legal Professionals in International Organizations,” Mr. Xuan Gao offered a detailed overview of the structure of the international organizational system, personnel policies, the range of positions available, remuneration and benefits, and promotion rules. He introduced the defining characteristics of intergovernmental organizations and outlined the functions and operating models of different types of institutions, including the United Nations system, international financial institutions, and regional organizations with specialized mandates. He noted that professionals with legal backgrounds need not be confined to legal departments: they can also pursue a wide range of roles in human resources, ethics and compliance, procurement and risk management, and project operations. He further explained international organizations’ remuneration systems, annual leave arrangements, and other staff benefits, and introduced career advancement paths across different organizations. He advised students to strike a realistic balance between personal development and job requirements, and to choose institutions and positions suited to their interests.

During the question-and-answer session, students actively raised questions about the day-to-day work of legal departments in international organizations, the suitability of different legal specializations, career paths for students majoring in less commonly taught languages, professional experiences and career planning, and future employment trends. The two guests responded to each question and offered a detailed analysis of the practical challenges facing international institutions in securing political support, developing legal frameworks, training personnel, and building credibility. They encouraged students to establish a solid grounding in legal theory, familiarize themselves with the rules and business cultures of different jurisdictions, remain humble, resilient, open-minded, and inclusive, and actively broaden their global perspectives and capacity to adapt across cultures, so that they can contribute as young professionals to global governance and foreign-related rule of law.

The Foreign-Related Rule of Law and Global Governance Lecture Series aims to guide students in the interdisciplinary undergraduate program in undertaking academic research and practical work, planning their careers, and developing the broad competencies needed for foreign-related affairs. Through this interdisciplinary salon on “Career Planning and Development for Legal Professionals in International Organizations,” students gained a more comprehensive and multifaceted understanding of careers in international organizations, the competencies required of professionals in global governance, and the landscape of foreign-related legal practice. The program will continue to organize a series of activities to cultivate interdisciplinary professionals with legal expertise, insight into international affairs, and cross-cultural communication skills.

Author: Huang Xinyi, Undergraduate Student, 2025 Cohort