The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

Fields of study:

• Humanities & Social Sciences

Programs offered:

• Short-Term

An autonomous UN body established in 1963, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research is a training arm of the United Nations System, and has the mandate to enhance the effectiveness of the UN through diplomatic training, and to increase the impact of national actions through public awareness-raising, education and training of public policy officials.

As our world’s most pressing challenges are global in nature, they also require global solutions. Therefore, a critical way to make the world a better place is through strengthening the spirit of international cooperation, also known as multilateralism.

For this reason, UNITAR designed a series of trainings on the most important multilateral institution, the United Nations. They aim to empower participants with the knowledge and skills to understand the UN system, global challenges and actions anyone can take.

Our programmes further aim to foster UN values such as human rights, solidarity and respect for diversity. They lastly intend to provide a link between participants and UN staff, opening the door for you to help make a change from within the United Nations.

In the coming year, UNITAR is offering a unique opportunity for participants to engage with International Geneva through five-day field visits occurring in January, May, July, and August 2024. These visits encompass workshops at the Palace of Nations, tours of Geneva-based UN agencies, and career development sessions, granting participants a firsthand experience of the United Nations.

UNITAR is also excited to present the UN Immersion Programme in The Hague, Netherlands in May and July 2024, focusing on legal and diplomatic aspects. Participants will receive training from esteemed institutions such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), International Criminal Court (ICC), and other UN agencies based in The Hague.

Recognizing the vast potential of the youth, UNITAR will be conducting the United Nations Young Leaders Online Training Programme in January, April, June, and August 2024, with modules covering the United Nations System, Multilateral Conferences and Diplomacy, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Moreover, UNITAR invites individuals to enroll in the UN Human Rights Council Training Programme in February and September 2024. This program, running parallel to the actual UN Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva, includes e-learning modules, e-workshops, and live-streamed sessions from the UN Human Rights Council.

In addition, UNITAR offers the Diplomacy 4.0 Training Programme, aimed at enhancing participants' capabilities in addressing the intersection of diplomacy and technology. This program encompasses a range of topics, including the implications of technology on diplomacy and artificial intelligence's applications across various industries.

Lastly, UNITAR's Joint Master's Programme in Public International Law, in collaboration with Sigmund Freud University Vienna (SFU), is designed to deepen students' knowledge and skills in international law. This program offers students a unique opportunity to experience the UN work environment in Vienna, build relationships with UN experts, access career development sessions, and establish connections within the UN system.