Welcome to UNU
31 years of research, knowledge sharing, and
capacity development
Key Facts
Established:
6 December 1973
Staff:
336 from over 30 countries
Annual Budget:
US$ 40.7 million (2005)
Academic Management:
Prof. Dr. Konrad Osterwalder, Rector
Prof. Motoyuki Suzuki, Special Programme Advisor for Environment & Sustainable Development
Prof. Yozo Yokota, Special Adviser to the Rector
UNU is dedicated to the generation and transfer of knowledge, and the strengthening of individual and institutional capacities in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are a concern of the United Nations, its Peoples and Member States.
In fulfilling this mission, UNU fosters intellectual cooperation among scholars, scientists, and practitioners worldwide — especially those in the developing world — and functions as:
- an international community of scholars;
- a bridge between the United Nations and the international academic community;
- a think-tank for the United Nations system;
- a builder of capacity, particularly in developing countries; and
- a platform for dialogue and new and creative ideas.
In 2005, UNU celebrated its 30th year of existence as an autonomous organ of the United Nations General Assembly. In institutional terms, three decades is a short time; UNU is only half the age of its parent organizations, the United Nations and UNESCO (which celebrated their 60th anniversaries in 2005)
But from the perspective of UNU's evolution, and its contributions "to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations, its Peoples and Members States," the University's first three decades represent a significant period of achievement. Since its modest beginnings in September 1975, UNU has grown and matured into a decentralized, global network comprising UNU Centre in Tokyo, a worldwide network of 13 UNU Research and Training Centres/Programmes (UNU RTC/Ps), and liaison offices at United Nations headquarters (New York) and UNESCO headquarters (Paris).
To ensure that its work remains relevant and responsive to the rapid and profound changes of our modern world, UNU continues to evolve and expand. A new RTC/P, focusing on issues of global health, became operational in 2006.
UNU is one of the smaller United Nations organizations, and is reliant on voluntary contributions. Yet, the University has increasingly enhanced the nature and impact of its contributions to the UN system and to the international academic community.
Within its unique position as the only university in the United Nations system, UNU undertakes a wide range of knowledge generation, knowledge transfer, and knowledge application/management activities: basic and applied research, foresight and policy studies, capacity development, networking/collaboration with external partners, and dissemination and outreach.
Organization
The University functions as a decentralized "network of networks" with a truly interdisciplinary and global perspective. The UNU system comprises the UNU Centre in Tokyo and a worldwide network of Research and Training Centres and Programmes assisted by numerous associated and cooperating institutions.
The principles and policies of UNU are set by the University Council, whose 24 appointed members serve six-year terms in their individual capacities (rather than as representatives of their countries). The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Director-General of UNESCO and Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) serve as ex officio members of the council.
The UNU Rector also serves as a Council member, and acts as the University's chief academic and administrative officer, with responsibility for the direction, organization and administration of its overall programme.
Knowledge Generation
UNU studies human activities and the way in which they are altering the world, with a particular emphasis on the concerns and needs of developing countries.
New and constructive thinking that incorporates both theoretical and practical approaches is a hallmark of UNU research, which is clustered within two main programme areas: (i) Peace and Governance and (ii) Environment and Development.
Knowledge Transfer
Of crucial importance to the success of UNU is its capacity to get the "right" knowledge to the people who need it the most, in a timely manner and in a useful form. The main modes of knowledge transfer are books, working papers, articles, and newsletters, as well as conferences, workshops, panels, presentations, guest lectures, and electronic media (including CD-ROMs and the Internet).
UNU Press publishes numerous books each year and cooperates in the production of five journals. The UNU Office of Communication oversees production of the Work in Progress and UNU Update newsletters and UNU Annual Report, and assists the academic units the preparation of their public information materials and other communications.
UNU Online Learning, in cooperation with the UNU Campus Computing Centre, supports educational technology projects and operates a Media Studio. Each UNU RTC/P coordinates its own series of reports, papers, and other publications.
Capacity Devevlopment
UNU capacity development efforts are aimed at strengthening individual and institutional capacities in developing countries by promoting self-reliant development and providing opportunities for scholars and scientists to participate in UNU research activities.
UNU offers fellowships to scholars from developing countries to receive postgraduate training in UNU network institutions. Fellows are selected on the basis of three criteria: that their work is in an area of concern to the University, they are recommended by their home institution, and they commit to returning to work at their home institution when their training is completed.
UNU also provides reimbursable financial assistance to self-financed students from developing countries who wish to pursue higher education in Japan.
Financing
UNU receives no funds from the regular UN budget; the University's activities are supported entirely by voluntary contributions from governments, agencies, international organizations, foundations, and private companies. The University's basic annual income comes from investment income derived from the UNU Endowment Fund and from operating and specific programme contributions.
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Page last modified 2008.03.25.
