Giving back
Humanitarian horizons: How the Fiona Watson Memorial Fund supports young talent to make a difference in the world
2023 marks 20 years since Heriot-Watt graduate Fiona Watson – an inspirational woman who dedicated her life to helping others – lost her life.
A languages graduate and political analyst, Fiona was just 35 and four years into a blossoming career with the United Nations (UN) when she was among the 22 peacekeepers killed in the 2003 terrorist attack on the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq.
A year after her tragic death, her family and Heriot-Watt established a Memorial Fund, which facilitates opportunities for talented young Scots to take part in humanitarian related projects. Each year, a final year languages student receives the Fiona Watson Memorial Fund award to undertake a fully funded, three-month internship at the UN headquarters in New York City, or similar organisation.
Opportunity of a lifetime
The internship experience is often a life-changing one. “Without it, I would not be where I am today, and for that I will be eternally grateful,” comments Jack Holmes, the 2019 recipient of the award.
“It presented me opportunities I could have never previously imagined. I would not have considered entering the field of international peace and security, nor would have I been afforded an experience to develop it into a professional career,” explained Hana Smith, the 2018 recipient.
Both Jack and Hana have forged careers dedicated to serving others: Jack is currently an Operations Officer at the HALO Trust, and Hana works as an Advocacy Policy Advisor at Soroptimist International.
Jack: “The HALO Trust is an international humanitarian charity working to lead the effort to save lives and restore livelihoods for people affected by conflict. Following my initial training in Cambodia in mine clearance, hazardous area survey, and explosive ordnance disposal, I moved to HALO’s Kosovo programme. Working with a fantastic team of some 140 local clearance operators and supervisors, I support all aspects of the programme’s minefield and battle area clearance operations.”
Hana: “Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement that advocates for human rights and gender equality, ensuring that the voices of all women and girls are heard. My main role is to serve as a link between our representatives at the UN and our grassroots projects around the world. This approach to advocacy helps ordinary people in their communities around the world to be heard at the international level.”
It presented me opportunities I could have never previously imagined.”
Jack Holmes
Jack Holmes in the field for the HALO Trust
Hana Smith presenting ‘Our Voice at the United Nations’ at Soroptomist International’s 2023 Convention
Inspirational internship
The opportunity to work alongside various teams at the United Nations Department of Peace Operations (UN DPO) is a unique experience and award recipients find it transformational and deeply inspirational.
Stuart Kirkby received the Fiona Watson Memorial Fund award in 2006: “The internship in New York was an amazing experience that I would repeat in a heartbeat, and for which I am still really grateful to have participated in. To work in such an international environment, with colleagues from many different nations, was unique.”
“Through my time working in the UN DPO with amazing and inspiring colleagues on a variety of policy issues, I came to realise that humanitarian service offered the opportunity to use my languages as a means of supporting more wide-ranging and impactful issues, rather than them being the ends alone,” said Jack. “Consequently, I would fully credit the award for everything I’ve done since: I had never known that this pathway was even an option, let alone something that I could do, until I began the internship.”
“Without my knowledge of the UN and peace operations, alongside the people I met, I would not have gained the opportunity to undertake two further paid positions within the UN DPO,” explained Hana. “I was encouraged to undertake an MSc, which I chose to study in Human Rights, and this has expanded my knowledge of the subjects I worked on at the UN. Most recently, I presented to 1,700 women rights advocates at a conference addressing gender equality. My understanding of the UN’s inner workings has been a huge asset in enabling me to execute my current role. In the future, I hope to develop my knowledge of international peace and security and apply a gender lens to these complex challenges.”
The internship was an amazing experience that I would repeat in a heartbeat”
Stuart Kirkby
Fiona was an outstanding individual….and through this initiative her inspirational approach continues.”
Fiona was an outstanding individual….and through this initiative her inspirational approach continues.”
A vital legacy
Hamish Watson, Fiona’s brother, commented on how her legacy remains vital 20 years on: “Fiona was an outstanding individual, with a rare combination of intellectual brilliance, vitality, compassion and humour. As an ambassador for Scotland, she evoked respect and affection in equal measure wherever she went. Through the Memorial Fund, we are able to support others to follow in Fiona's footsteps and gain an experience that can change their lives, and those of many others. I am very grateful to Heriot-Watt, and all the alumni who have supported the fund, that through this initiative Fiona’s inspirational approach continues.”
“Having heard from both the Watson family and some of Fiona’s former colleagues,” comments Jack, “I see her legacy as that of a passionate, dedicated and highly respected humanitarian whose work exemplified the core humanitarian ideals that underpin the sphere. Her commitment to the service of others resonated with me, and the desire to work in that same vein is a large part of why I applied for the award, and the opportunities and experiences the award has afforded me have solidified that desire.”
“I vividly remember receiving the e-mail notifying me that I had been selected as the 15th recipient of the award,” explained Hana. “I was in disbelief, and above all, incredibly humbled that Fiona’s family had put their faith in me to play a small part in ensuring her legacy would continue. Learning as an intern at the UN DPO under Fiona’s name was a responsibility I did not take lightly. I will forever be indebted to the Watson family for bestowing their trust in me.”
Hannah Fenn-Tye is the 2023 recipient of the Fiona Watson Memorial Fund award: “This is a true honour – especially after learning more about Fiona, the work she dedicated herself to and how she inspired the people around her. I couldn’t have asked for or imagined a better next chapter after graduation, and while there will be challenges, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to push myself and experience a completely new environment where I will be able to learn so much.”
Through the Memorial Fund we support others to follow in Fiona's footsteps and gain an experience that can change their lives.”
Hamish Watson
The Fiona Watson Memorial Fund
In addition to providing the Memorial Award, the Fund also provides annual humanitarian grants specifically for students wishing to take part in humanitarian volunteering projects.
If you would like to support the Fiona Watson Memorial Fund, please contact Eve MacDonald
