News

The UNAI Global Hub on Sustainability jointly with the Model United Nations (Model UN) New Silk Way Program organized the International Student Conference "Model UN - New Silk Way-2018" (MUN NSW-2018) in Almaty at Al Farabi Kazakh National University (Al Farabi KazNU) from April 27-29. The delegates of the conference focused on the global challenges of the 21st century, including the events in the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula.

The Committee on Teaching About the United Nations (CTAUN)—a long-time partner of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) initiative—held its 19th Annual Conference last month at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Over 600 educators from the United States and other countries took part in the meeting.

With the collaboration of the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU), the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) co-organized the 2018 United Nations Global Citizenship Education Seminar that recently took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

During the general debate of the 40th session of the Committee on Information (COI) that was held this week at United Nations Headquarters in New York, a number of Member States of this intergovernmental body highlighted the critical importance of academia and the institutions of higher education as partners of the United Nations.

“I appeal to all governments and societies [...] to build a world where no one has to be afraid because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.” - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

It is time to rethink how we grow, share and consume our food. If done right, agriculture, forestry and fisheries can provide nutritious food for all and generate decent incomes, while supporting people-centred rural development and protecting the environment. This week we are featuring in our #SDGsinAcademia series Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. Check out the targets of this Goal and what UNAI member institutions are doing about it!

The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) presents a series of articles on some of the projects implemented by the recipients of the UN-Making of Hate Diversity Contest held in 2015. The contest was born out of a partnership between the UNHATE Foundation of United Colors of Benetton and UNAI oriented on young people’s grassroots efforts in ending hate and intolerance.

Poverty is more than the lack of income and resources to ensure a sustainable livelihood. Its manifestations include hunger and malnutrition, limited access to education and other basic services, social discrimination and exclusion as well as the lack of participation in decision-making. This week we are featuring in our #SDGsinAcademia series Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere. Check out the targets of this Goal and what UNAI member institutions are doing about it!

Our project, “Building Bridges” is a coalition between Enactus St. Mary’s and GMR Varalkshmi Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to empower underprivileged youth throughout India.

30 March 2018 – Earlier this month, the European Union (EU) and United Nations advanced on a global, multi-year initiative focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls: the Spotlight Initiative: “Ending Violence against ALL Women and Girls” held in the Economic and Social Council Chamber (ECOSOC) at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

25 March 2018 - Honouring those who suffered the brutalities of the Transatlantic slave trade, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said the International Day set aside to remember this “epically shameful” chapter of human history is an opportunity raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today.

On the invitation of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) initiative, Phoebe Warren, Political Science and History major at UNAI member institution McGill University, Canada, has shared the experience of The International Relations Students’ Association of McGill University delegation to the sixty-second Commission on the Status of Women.

“We need new solutions in managing water resources so as to meet emerging challenges to water security caused by population growth and climate change,” said Audrey Azoulay, head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in the foreword of the 

“Let us hope that this ceasefire holds, because it is at least one [piece of] good news among very bad news,” said Staffan de Mistura, Special Envoy for Syria, briefing the Security Council via videoconference from Brussels.

The United Nations Academic Impact notes with sadness the death of Prof. Stephen Hawking, Dennis Stanton Avery and Sally Tsui Wong-Avery Director of Research in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom). On 18 September 2015, Prof. Hawking delivered a Global Goals Message on sustainable development.

A United Nations-Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) humanitarian convoy arrived in the besieged Syrian enclave of Eastern Ghouta on Monday bringing life-saving aid to thousands of desperate people, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has reported.

On the invitation of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) initiative, George E. Rupp contributed this reflection on the fiftieth anniversary of the Communidade Islâmica de Lisboa. Dr. Rupp has served as President of Rice University and Columbia University (United States) as well as of the International Rescue Committee. His contribution launches a series of intellectual reflections on “unlearning intolerance” on the UNAI website in the context of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ focus on conflict prevention.

Big cats, the planet’s most majestic predators, are under increasing threat – mostly caused by human activities – and this year’s World Wildlife Day, the United Nations is joining the world in raising awareness to their plight and galvanizing support for the many actions already under way to safe these iconic species.

Conferences, lectures, field trips, Model UN, scientific research, interaction with the diplomatic world and a close approach to the local communities and more: the broad range of activities and events in many parts of the world organized by the member institutions of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) shows the commitment of these educational and research centers to the activities and concerns of the United Nations.

The United Nations Academic Impact notes with sadness the death of Dr. Juan Alejandro Tobías, Rector of the Universidad del Salvador (Argentina).