Youth inspire hope at the United Nations
1,250 university students from around the world submitted 2000 word essays in a language other than their native tongue and different from the language of their studies in a contest co-sponsored by the United Nations Academic Impact and ELS Educational Services Inc., a major source of language instruction and the teaching of English as a second language. The seventy winners from 43 countries were organized into six groups based on the six official languages of the United Nations to prepare and present two-minutes speeches on themes related to the post-2015 global development agenda.
Yoga: Stretching Across the Globe
'Yoga is mastery of the mind' -Patanjali
An article by UNAI Intern Achuth Krishnan who reports As an intern of the United Nations Academic Impact, I had the memorable opportunity to celebrate the first ever International Day of Yoga on 21 June, 2015 at the Ãå±±½ûµØHeadquarters in New York.
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UNAI-Amrita Conference on Technology for Sustainable Development
On 8 July at United Nations Headquarters, theÌýUnited Nations Academic Impact Initiative (UNAI)Ìýand Amrita University co-hosted a one-day conference on Technology for Sustainable Development. Over 700Ìýpeople joined in person as well as many others following online. Speakers at the event included United Nations Development Programme Administrator Helen Clark;ÌýChancellor of Amrita University, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi; His Excellency Mr. Kaza Imnadze, Permanent Representative of Georgia to the United Nations;ÌýMr. Vijay Nambiar,ÌýSpecial Adviser to the Secretary-GeneralÌýon Myanmar;Ìýand UNAI's Ramu Damodaran.
Update from Central European University Budapest: Eye on Environmental Education and Eye on Access for All
United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) member Central European University (CEU), located in Budapest, Hungary, has taken a special role in two of Eye on Earth's special initiatives--Eye on Environmental Education and Eye on Access for All. In fact, the head of CEU's Environmental Systems Laboratory, Viktor Lagutov, has recently been appointed Chair for the Eye on Environmental Education. During the up-coming summit he will hold projects such as In Service ICT Training for Environmental Professionals, which will focus on bridging the gap between the technology/information sector and policy makers. Of course, other UNAI universities play an important role as well, as they provide essential research and help nurture the next generation of problem-solvers.
Countering destruction of and trafficking in cultural property: from lessons learned to implementation
by UNAI Intern, Achuth Krishnan.
With the hitherto unprecedented rise in the illegitimate trafficking and destruction of cultural property in the recent years, the ambassadors of Italy and Jordan came together to hold a conference on 3 June 2015 with the representatives of leading international organizations which address the problem, Ìýand the ambassadors of nations which share the same concern. As an intern at the United Nation Academic Impact (UNAI), I had the privilege of attending this critically relevant conference. This burning issue of today is important mainly for two reasons- it obliterates the unique character of a society and secondly, the money it generates often gets appropriated by terrorist organizations.
Youth empowerment a focus at the second annual Ãå±±½ûµØSustainable Energy For All Forum in New York City, 18 to 21 May.
Leaders from government, business and civil society gathered at the second annual Ãå±±½ûµØSustainable Energy For All Forum (SE4All) in May to share and advance sustainable solutions on energy access, energy efficiency and renewable energy. A focus of the Forum was youth engagement and empowerment to ensure a sustainable energy future.Ìý
By Zinnia Batliwalla, UNAI Intern
Leaders from government, business and civil society gathered at the second annual Ãå±±½ûµØSustainable Energy For All Forum (SE4All) in May to share and advance sustainable solutions on energy access, energy efficiency and renewable energy. A focus of the Forum was youth engagement and empowerment to ensure a sustainable energy future.Ìý
The Protection of Human Rights in Europe, a dialogue between Luxembourg, Strasbourg, Karlsruhe and Paris
(Photo: YannÌýToma, Paris-Sorbonne University)
On 30 May 2015, the UNAI Global Hub on Human Rights, the Paris-Sorbonne University, held a ceremony and panel discussion with the University of Cologne to celebrate the 25thÌýanniversary of their joint French German law degree (LL.B. Köln/Paris 1). In addition to the participation of several high-ranking judges from both countries,ÌýÌýthe French Minister of Justice, Christiane Taubira, and her German counterpart, Heiko MaasÌýÌýattended the anniversary of the Double–Maîtrise. The fully integrated 4-years-bachelor's degree exists since 1990, with about 60 students graduating each year.Ìý
Searching for Transcendence at the Hinge of History
In this article, the secondÌýin our academicÌýseries, scientist Stuart Kauffman and co-authorsÌýCaryn Devins, Roger Koppl and Teppo FelinÌýpresent their views on moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Hinge of History
Perhaps we are too brave to begin boldly by saying that we are, to use historian Thomas Cahill's evocative phrase, at a hinge of history. ÌýOur thirty or more civilizations around the globe are weaving together in untold and untellable ways. ÌýWe can, for the first time in history, truly afford sufficient wealth for all, even if opportunities and wealth are now grotesquely maldistributed. ÌýWe can, for the first time in history, dare to consider what a global interwoven set of civilizations might become, whose highest values are our living experience. ÌýWe must begin to think together, all of us, beyond our huge but more immediate issues.Ìý
Secretary-General appoints Nikhil Seth as Executive Director of the Ãå±±½ûµØInstitute for Training and Research
SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS NIKHIL SETH OF INDIA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS INSTITUTE FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH
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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon announced on 8 June 2015Ìýthe appointment of Nikhil Seth of India as Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). He will succeed Sally Fegan-Wyles of Ireland, to whom the Secretary-General expressed his utmost gratitude for her dedication and commitment to the United Nations. Ìý
International Association of University Presidents Fiftieth Anniversary
The International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in Oxford, UK with a conference on 24 May. Entitled Higher Education 2065, the conference took place at Trinity College, University Oxford. Participants considered the political, economic, social, cultural and technological trends that will shape their work. In addition, there was discussion of what higher education institutions must do today to prepare for future challenges. The conference was organized by UNAI member Fairleigh Dickinson University.Ìý
Secretary-General's remarks at opening of Academic Impact Forum, 21 May 2015
In May, the Secretary-General visited the Republic of Korea and spoke at the Academic Impact Forum. Read his remarks here.
Good morning.
Thank you very much for participating in this important Forum.
I am delighted to be here.
There are so many great minds in this room.
I applaud your initiative to establish the Korean Association in Support of UNAI. UNAI Korea is bringing together Korean institutions in a common commitment to the United Nations.
Let me say a special welcome to the students here today.
Last month, the United Nations Security Council held a special meeting on youth. That was a quite a unique opportunity for the Ãå±±½ûµØSecurity Council to discuss about youth issues, which was again a very encouraging meeting chaired by a very young leader.
Ãå±±½ûµØat 70: News from UNA Northern Ireland Help sought to create Ãå±±½ûµØarchive
Ãå±±½ûµØAcademic Impact members in Northern Ireland may be interested in this on 9 May 2015:
As many of your readers may be aware, the takes place later this year.
The United Nations Association of Northern Ireland (UNA-NI), a branch of UNA-UK, is a non-governmental, voluntary organisation. We exist to encourage public and governmental support for the goals of the UN, and we are keen to mark the UN&rsquos 70th anniversary through the creation of an archive.Ìý We hope to document local reaction to the implementation of the Ãå±±½ûµØCharter on October 24, 1945, through accounts, memories and photographs.
Rethinking Economic Growth
In this article, the first in a series on Science and Development, scientist Stuart Kauffman discusses his concept of the prestatable and its relationship to economics and development:
The standard theory of economic growth is deeply inadequate. It treats the economy as if it were producing a single good, hence a single sectorÌýand then considers inputs such as labour, capital, human knowledge, Ìýas well as savings and investment, and sometimes models of spill over of knowledge into neighbouring sectors. The Washington Consensus of good government, stable money, good infrastructure has been a pinion of policy.Ìý
Global Interactions and Millennium Milestone Maker award
Global Interactions has announced the recipients of its Millennium Milestone Maker award. The Millennium Milestone Maker Awards will be presented to MMM winners on May 16 -17 at the 9th Annual Women's Symposium, taking place on the SIAS International University campus, Henan Province, People's Republic of China. Ìý
The winners announced by Global Interactions are Denise Love, Rose Mapenda, Michael Murtaugh, and Padmini Murthy.Ìý
Denise Love is being honoured for her work promoting the health of mothers and children in Cambodia. Global Interactions CEO, Jerrie Ueberle, praised Ms. Love in saying that everything you do and have done not only has brought huge dividends to Cambodia but quite literally has saved the lives of many mothers and children.