On Chinese Language Day: Education in China and the SDGs
Multilingualism is considered by the United Nations as a key to accomplish its aims and purposes and to improve communication and understanding among peoples.
14 May 2018 - A panel discussion on Education in China and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 20 April 2018 with the participation of Chinese scholars as well as representatives of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in New York.
Partnership between universities and local governments featured in START seminar
The importance of academia for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is crucial, as shown by the activities and initiatives undertaken by member institutions of the United Nations Nations Academic Impact (UNAI).
11 May 2018 - The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) hosted a seminar on 10 April 2018 at United Nations Headquarters in New York that addressed partnerships in the state of Kerala, India between educational institutions and local governments in support of sustainable development. The seminar focused on meeting the essential needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Global security challenges discussed at Model UN hosted by Al Farabi Kazakh National University
While the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) is not involved as such in Model United Nations, numerous UNAI member institutions conduct or host such activities. Among these Al Farabi Kazakh National University, which recently hosted the International Student Conference Model UN - New Silk Way-2018. For more information on Model United Nations, please visit the dedicated website of the United Nations Department of Public Information. The report below was prepared by students of Al Farabi Kazakh National University.
CTAUN Conference focused on the protection of children
10 May 2018 - 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.
The mission of CTAUN is to provide educators with opportunities to learn about the United Nations and support them in incorporating global awareness into curricula and school activities.
2018 United Nations Global Citizenship Education Seminar
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. This article features highlights of the event as reported by Andrey Makiyevskiy, an undergraduate student at New York University.
Importance of academia highlighted in the 40th session of the UN Committee on Information
The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) reports each year to the Committee on Information (COI) through the report of the Secretary-General about the outreach services of the Department of Public Information. Here are some highlights of the 40th session:
07 May 2018 - During the general debate of the 40th session of the Committee on Information (COI) that was held last week at United Nations Headquarters in New York, a number of Member States of this intergovernmental body highlighted the critical importance of academia as a partner of the United Nations.
#SDGsinAcademia: Goal 2
As part of the ongoing campaign on the Sustainable Development Goals carried out by the United Nations, United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) is presenting a weekly series of articles on #SDGSinAcademia that highlights the importance of higher education in achieving the Goals. Featuring additional sources for use by faculty and students alike, this series is intended to inspire action on the SDGs and showcase activities and initiatives of UNAI member institutions.
07 May 2018 - This week we are featuring in our #SDGsinAcademia series Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Targets:
A gender and sexuality sensitization campaign in Indian universities: the 2015 UN-Making of Hate Diversity Contest winner GSSP team
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.
What matters in the job market is what's in the head, not on it: the 2015 UN-Making of Hate Diversity Contest winner With or Without
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. Ten projects from around the world were selected for their innovative solutions in tackling issues ranging from homophobia to racism, gender-based discrimination, homelessness, interethnic conflict, xenophobia and exclusion of persons with disabilities. In this article, Lara-Zuzan Golesorkhi, currently a part-time faculty at UNAI member institution City University of New York (CUNY) Queens College and a Ph.D.
#SDGsinAcademia: Goal 1
As part of the ongoing campaign on the Sustainable Development Goals carried out by the United Nations, United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) is presenting a weekly series of articles on #SDGSinAcademia that highlights the importance of higher education in achieving the Goals. Featuring additional sources for use by faculty and students alike, this series is intended to inspire action on the SDGs and showcase activities and initiatives of UNAI member institutions.
30 April 2018 - This week we are featuring in our #SDGsinAcademia series Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Targets:
Building Bridges in India
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. We specifically work with their trade school in Bengaluru, India. Every spring break for the past three years, Enactus students traveled to Bengaluru to work with the women of the trade school. Our work focuses on promoting economic growth and gender equality through coaching these women on how to develop a business plan, helping them develop entrepreneurial skills. Ultimately, our goal is to help these women increase their self-esteem and strengthen their business and innovation skills.
The Spotlight Initiative: Ending Violence against ALL Women and Girls
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.
The Initiative focuses attention on this issue by placing it at the centre of efforts to achieve gender equality and women's empowerment, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
UN chief honours those who suffered shameful Transatlantic slave trade, urges respect for dignity of every human being
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.
More than 15 million men, women and children from Africa were enslaved, Mr. Guterres pointed out in a video message for the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, explaining its raison d'être to acknowledge a brutal chapter in human history, and to raise awareness of the dangers of racism and prejudice today.
Young Adult Voices at the Commission on the Status of Women
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 (IRSAM) delegation to the sixty-second Commission on the Status of Women at United Nations Headquarters.
20 March 2018 - University students of international relations commonly learn about the principles and history of the United Nations and its functional commissions. While this background provides a strong basis for developing academic interests and exploring future careers, the opportunity to put theory into practice was recently given to eleven students from United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) member institution McGill University at the sixty-second Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
UN spotlights rainwater recycling, artificial wetlands among 'green' solutions to global water crisis
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 UN World Water Development Report 2018.
If we do nothing, some five billion people will be living in areas with poor access to water by 2050, she added.