United Nations Academic Impact

Last updated
UN Academic Impact
AbbreviationUNAI
Formation18 November 2010;13 years ago (18 November 2010)
TypeFramework and Mechanism
Legal statusActive
Parent organization
UN Department of Public Information, Outreach Division
Website un.org/academicimpact

The United Nations Academic Impact, also known by its acronym UNAI, is a United Nations initiative to align institutions of higher education, scholarship and research with the United Nations and with each other.

Contents

In the words of former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: "The Academic Impact aims to generate a global movement of minds to promote a new culture of intellectual social responsibility. It is animated by a commitment to certain bedrock principles. Among them: freedom of inquiry, opinion and speech; educational opportunity for all; global citizenship; sustainability; and dialogue." [1]

Furthermore UNAI aims to support the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals focusing on the reciprocal relationship between education and sustainable development.

History

The initiative was formally launched on 18 November 2010 by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at UN Headquarters in New York City. On this occasion, he outlined the purpose of UNAI:

"By sharing ideas, across borders and disciplines, we can find solutions to the interconnected problems that cause so much suffering. Climate change is not just an environmental threat; it is closely tied to poverty. Poverty is not just about jobs, it is directly related to food security. Food security affects health. Health affects generations of children. Children hold the key to our future. And education can lead to progress on all these fronts." [2]

As of February 2023, more than 1,500 institutions in over 150 countries and some 40 academic networks are members of the initiative. [3]

The 10 UNAI principles

Academic Impact is informed by a commitment to support and advance ten basic principles:

  1. A commitment to the principles inherent in the United Nations Charter as values that education seeks to promote and help fulfill;
  2. A commitment to human rights, among them freedom of inquiry, opinion, and speech;
  3. A commitment to educational opportunity for all people regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnicity;
  4. A commitment to the opportunity for every interested individual to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for the pursuit of higher education;
  5. A commitment to building capacity in higher education systems across the world;
  6. A commitment to encouraging global citizenship through education;
  7. A commitment to advancing peace and conflict resolution through education;
  8. A commitment to addressing issues of poverty through education;
  9. A commitment to promoting sustainability through education;
  10. A commitment to promoting inter-cultural dialogue and understanding, and the "unlearning" of intolerance, through education.

In action

Participating institutions are expected to show their support of one of the 10 UNAI principles by undertaking one activity per year which tangibly supports and furthers the realization of those principles. Examples include lectures, publications, online activities and especially events that promote intercultural dialogue and the international exchange of ideas. UNAI established various communication channels. In order to get in contact and intensify dialogue with academia around the world UNAI uses social media, such as Facebook [4] and Twitter. [5]

UNAI provides a collaborative platform where members can learn from each other and enhance each other’s skills and tools. UNAI provides information on UN activities and provides guidance on how students, professors and researchers can apply their knowledge to the work of the UN and make a difference in their classrooms, communities and campuses. UNAI uses a number of tools to communicate with its members ranging from social media, including Google hangouts, Twitter town halls and Facebook Live interviews, webinars, podcasts, the publication of research, reports and articles on areas of research that can advance the achievement of the SDGs, newsletters and events such as panel discussions, conferences, workshops, film screenings, and briefings. UNAI also shares information on a wide variety of awards, fellowships, scholarships and contest for students, researchers and academics Ten UNAI members have been designated hubs for each one of the principles.

  1. Commitment to the UN Charter: J.F. Oberlin University Japan [6]
  2. Human Rights: L’Université Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne, France [7]
  3. Education Opportunity For All: Education Above All (EAA), Qatar [8]
  4. Higher education opportunity for every interested individual, CETYS Universidad, Mexico [9]
  5. Capacity Building in higher education systems: Handong Global University, Republic of Korea [10]
  6. Global citizenship, Ana G. Mendez University System, United States [11]
  7. Peace and Conflict Resolution: Pomona College, United States [12]
  8. Addressing Poverty Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture for Women, India [13]
  9. Sustainability: Al Farabi Kazakh University, Kazakhstan [14]
  10. Intercultural Dialogue and Understanding and the Unlearning of Intolerance: Currently vacant.

List of participating institutions

For a list of participating institutions, see: UNAI Members, February 2023.

Literature

For more information see the magazine UN Chronicle , Vol XLVII, Nr. 3, 2010 [15] and the textbook "Pathways to Peace—for building a culture of peace" [16] published by J. F. Oberlin University.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extreme poverty</span> Condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs

Extreme poverty is the most severe type of poverty, defined by the United Nations (UN) as "a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. It depends not only on income but also on access to services". Historically, other definitions have been proposed within the United Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International development</span> Concept concerning the level of development on an international scale

International development or global development is a broad concept denoting the idea that societies and countries have differing levels of economic or human development on an international scale. It is the basis for international classifications such as developed country, developing country and least developed country, and for a field of practice and research that in various ways engages with international development processes. There are, however, many schools of thought and conventions regarding which are the exact features constituting the "development" of a country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Global Compact</span> Non-binding United Nations pact

The United Nations Global Compact is a non-binding United Nations pact to get businesses and firms worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, and to report on their implementation. The UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiative, with 13,000 corporate participants and other stakeholders over 170 countries. The organization consists of a global agency, and local "networks" or agencies for each participating country. Under the Global Compact, companies are brought together with UN agencies, labor groups and civil society. Cities can join the Global Compact through the Cities Programme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Millennium Development Goals</span> Eight international development goals for the year 2015 by the United Nations

In the United Nations, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were eight international development goals for the year 2015 created following the Millennium Summit, following the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. These were based on the OECD DAC International Development Goals agreed by Development Ministers in the "Shaping the 21st Century Strategy". The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) succeeded the MDGs in 2016.

International education refers to a dynamic concept that involves a journey or movement of people, minds, or ideas across political and cultural frontiers. It is facilitated by the globalization phenomenon, which increasingly erases the constraints of geography on economic, social, and cultural arrangements. The concept involves a broad range of learning, for example, formal education and informal learning. It could also involve a reorientation of academic outlook such as the pursuit of "worldmindedness" as a goal so that a school or its academic focus is considered international. For example, the National Association of State Universities prescribes the adoption of "proper education" that reflects the full range of international, social, political, cultural, and economic dialogue. International educators are responsible for "designing, managing, and facilitating programs and activities that help participants to appropriately, effectively, and ethically engage in interactions with culturally diverse people and ideas."

Kyung Hee University is a private research university in South Korea with campuses in Seoul and Suwon. It was founded in 1949. Kyung Hee University is part of the Kyung Hee University System, which offers comprehensive education from kindergarten through graduate school.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development</span>

The Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) 2005–2014 was an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) initiative of the United Nations. The Decade was delivered by UNESCO as lead agency, and gave rise to Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE) networks, and the GUPES universities' partnership. The launch of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development started a global movement to reorient education to address the challenges of sustainable development. It was the first UN Decade to establish a global monitoring and evaluation process and expert group. Building on the achievement of the Decade, stated in the Aichi-Nagoya Declaration on ESD, UNESCO endorsed the Global Action Programme on ESD (GAP) in the 37th session of its General Conference. Acknowledged by UN general assembly Resolution A/RES/69/211 and launched at the UNESCO World Conference on ESD in 2014, the GAP aims to scale-up actions and good practices. UNESCO has a major role, along with its partners, in bringing about key achievements to ensure the principles of ESD are promoted through formal, non-formal and informal education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handong Global University</span> University in South Korea

Handong Global University is a private evangelical four-year university located in Pohang, North Gyeongsang, South Korea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBSA Dialogue Forum</span> Commonly known as IBSA, a three-country alignment

The IBSA Dialogue Forum is an international tripartite grouping for promoting international cooperation among these countries. It represents three important poles for galvanizing South–South cooperation and greater understanding between three important continents of the developing world namely, Africa, Asia, and South America. The forum provides the three countries with a platform to engage in discussions for cooperation in the field of agriculture, trade, culture, and defence among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Forum on Forests</span> Intergovernmental policy forum

The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) is a high-level intergovernmental policy forum. The forum includes all United Nations member states and permanent observers, the UNFF Secretariat, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, Regional Organizations and Processes and Major Groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universidad ORT Uruguay</span>

Universidad ORT Uruguay is Uruguay's largest private university. It has more than 13,000 students, distributed among five faculties and institutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative</span>

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative is a partnership between the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the global financial sector to catalyse action across the financial system to align economies with sustainable development. As the UN partner for the finance sector, they convene financial institutions on a voluntary basis to work together with them, and each other, to find practical solutions to overcome the many sustainability challenges facing the world today. UNEP FI does this by providing practical guidance and tools which support institutions in the finance sector to find ways to reshape their businesses and commit to targets for limiting greenhouse gas emissions, protecting nature, promoting a circular economy and supporting financial inclusion to address inequality. The solutions developed effectively form a blueprint for others in the finance sector to tackle similar challenges and evolve their businesses along a sustainable pathway. The creation and adoption of such a blueprint also informs policy makers concerned with sustainability issues about what would constitute appropriate regulation for the finance sector at large. Founded in 1992, UNEP FI was the first organisation to pioneer engagement with the finance sector around sustainability. The Finance Initiative was responsible for incubating the Principles for Responsible Investment and for the development and implementation of UNEP FI’s Principles for Responsible Banking and Principles for Sustainable Insurance as well as the UN-convened net-zero alliances. Today, UNEP FI provides sustainability leadership to more than 400 financial institutions, with assets of well over $80 trillion headquartered around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Post-2015 Development Agenda</span>

In the United Nations, the Post-2015 Development Agenda was a set of talks and discussion that led to the creation of the 2016 Sustainable Development Goals. This replaced the 2015 Millennium Development Goals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goals</span> United Nations 17 sustainable development goals for 2030


The United Nations created 17 world development goals call the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They were created in 2016 with the aim of "peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights and development</span>

Development is a human right that belongs to everyone, individually and collectively. Everyone is “entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized,” states the groundbreaking UN Declaration on the Right to Development, proclaimed in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Action for Climate Empowerment</span>

Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) is a term adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It refers to Article 6 of the Convention's original text (1992), focusing on six priority areas: education, training, public awareness, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation on these issues. The implementation of all six areas has been identified as the pivotal factor for everyone to understand and participate in solving the complex challenges presented by climate change. The importance of ACE is reflected in other international frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals ; the Global Action Programme for Education for Sustainable Development ; the Aarhus Convention (2011); the Escazú Agreement (2018) and the Bali Guidelines (2010).

The Worldwide Institute of Sustainable Development Planners (WISDP) was formed in October 2017 by a group of academics and professionals to further the UN Agenda 2030 and the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals It is supported by the UNESCO Hong Kong Association and the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Global Goals Week</span> Event for awareness for Sustainable Development Goals

Global Goals Week is a shared commitment between a coalition of over 160 partners across all industries, which mobilizes annually in September to bring together communities, demand urgency, and supercharge solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was founded in 2016 by the United Nations Foundation, Project Everyone, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It is timed to coincide with the UN General Assembly "High-Level Week" in New York. The week includes events, summits, conferences, forums, workshops, pledges, and other activations in New York, around the world, and online. It usually runs alongside Climate Week NYC, the annual conference of Goalkeepers, Bloomberg Global Business Forum and many other high-level events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Millennium Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders</span>

The Millennium Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders was held in New York City between August 28–31, 2000. The meeting recognized the importance of religion to world peace and faith leaders’ commitment to peacekeeping, poverty relief, and environmental conservation. It preceded the Millennium Summit, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the United Nations (UN).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disability and climate change</span>

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) are connected through their common goals of addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development through policies and international cooperation.

References

  1. "Academic Impact, Says Secretary-General, Aims to Spawn Global Movement of Minds to Promote Culture of Intellectual Social Responsibility - Meetings Coverage and Press Releases".
  2. "Remarks at launch of the United Nations Academic Impact - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon".
  3. "List of UNAI Members, February 2023" (PDF). Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  4. "Security Check Required". Facebook .
  5. "UN Academic Impact (@ImpactUN) - Twitter".
  6. "J. F. Oberlin University".
  7. Lagadic, Marc-Olivier. "Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne: Presentation". Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.
  8. "Education Above All".
  9. "CETYS Universidad Baja California".
  10. "Handong Global Univ".
  11. "Ana G. Mendez University System".
  12. "Pomona College in Claremont, California - Pomona College".
  13. "Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture" . Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  14. "Al-Farabi Kazakh National University".
  15. What is the UN Academic Impact?. United Nations Publications. 2010. ISBN   9789211012316 via Google Books.
  16. "UN Academic Impact Textbook Download - J. F. Oberlin University".