United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace

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United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace
AbbreviationUNU-ISP
Formation2009
TypeUniversity, Think Tank
Legal statusActive
HeadquartersFlag of Japan.svg  Japan Tokyo Shibuya
Website United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace [ dead link ]

The United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP) was an institute of the United Nations University (UNU), a think tank for the United Nations system which provides a bridge between the UN and the international academic and policy-making communities. UNU-ISP is based at UNU headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, with an Operating Unit located in Germany (UNU-ISP SCYCLE).

Contents

UNU-ISP seeks to achieve and promote a better understanding of the three of the most pressing issues on the UN agenda: global change, peace and security, and development. Utilizing an innovative approach to sustainability, the institute's work seamlessly connects these themes through research, and educational and collaborative initiatives, all with the goal of addressing present issues and anticipating future challenges.

Overview

As an institute of the United Nations University, UNU-ISP is bound by the UNU Charter, [1] and the guidelines set out by the UNU Council. [2] UNU-ISP works in collaboration with other UNU institutes and programs, as well as through collaborative relationships with the global academic and policy-making communities. Within the context of sustainability and peace, UNU-ISP:

UNU-ISP offers a postgraduate program, the Master of Science in Sustainability, Development, and Peace. This two-year program addresses pressing global issues through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that integrates the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

History

UNU-ISP became operational on January 1, 2009 [3] to give an institutional identity and profile to the integrated academic activities of two former UNU programs: the Environment and Sustainable Development program, and the Peace and Governance program. The institute combines the strengths in natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities of these two former programs, and creates transdisciplinary synergies that can more effectively address pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare.

Research

In line with the UNU Charter, the research of UNU-ISP addresses "global problems of human survival, development and welfare that are the concern of the United Nations and its agencies". UNU-ISP applies innovative, holistic approaches to identify sustainable solutions to such problems, cross-fertilizing natural science and social science methodologies through teams working on institute-wide, cross-cutting themes.[ citation needed ] The institute conducts policy-relevant research into the following three thematic areas, while integrating overarching elements such as ecological security, human rights, gender, and governance.

Global Change & Sustainability

The global change and sustainability focus of UNU-ISP seeks to clarify our understanding of sustainable development and the interaction among its constituent components – environment, society and economy.[ citation needed ]

Peace & Security

UNU-ISP develops research addressing threats to peace such as violent conflicts, human rights abuses, organized crime, the spread of diseases, the proliferation of weapons and terrorism.

International Cooperation & Development

UNU-ISP develops research addressing the following issues: underdevelopment, underrepresentation in decision-making, economic and social inequalities both within and between states, and insufficient access to resources, healthcare, education, science and technology.

Postgraduate programs

Master of Science (MSc) in Sustainability, Development, and Peace

UNU-ISP offers this Master of Science (MSc) degree, intended for recent graduates, professionals and practitioners interested in the opportunity of studying at a global university within the framework of the United Nations.

The program addresses pressing global issues of sustainability, climate change, development, peace-building and human rights through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. It provides students with the knowledge and skills to make important contributions towards solving global issues, whether through employment by UN agencies, other international organizations, governments, civil society, or the private sector.

A practically oriented, user-focused program,[ citation needed ]it offers opportunities to gain practical experience through internships or field research with a UN agency or other international organization. The program builds on UNU's record in training and capacity development, and utilizes the extensive network of scholars and academic institutions participating in UNU research.[ citation needed ]

Capacity Development

UNU-ISP has a strong commitment to capacity development, with a particular focus on enhancing the capacity of individuals and institutions in developing countries.[ citation needed ]

UNU International Courses

Every year UNU-ISP organizes the regular session of its six-week UNU International Courses (UNU-IC) at UNU headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. The UNU-IC program is designed for postgraduate students and young professionals (with a college or university degree) in various occupations in Japan and abroad who wish to pursue careers in international fields in public-service or private organizations, including the United Nations, multinational corporations and non-governmental organizations as well as national foreign service organizations. The courses are designed to provide analyses of global issues from both theoretical and empirical perspectives.

Global Seminar Series

The aim of the UNU Global Seminars is to enhance awareness about contemporary global issues and the role of the United Nations in addressing these issues. Students and young professionals are given the opportunity to interact with distinguished scholars and practitioners from Japan and abroad, as well to explore a specific issue in depth through lectures and group discussions. These sessions are open to university students, graduate students and young professionals.

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References

  1. "UNU Charter".
  2. "UNU Council".
  3. "UNU launches new academic institute in Tokyo : A newsletter of the United Nations University".