Seventy-seven years after the foundation of the United Nations as the cornerstone of multilateralism, its principles and values remain valid. In the current global context, with the emergence of crises and conflicts and several global challenges, the United Nations is a center to harmonize actions and a beacon of hope for billions. For decades, institutions of higher education, particularly its faculty, have been studying this Organization extensively while teaching, researching, and writing about it. Lecturers, professors, and scientists have made significant contributions to the work of the United Nations. Moreover, the interest in the United Nations, and the expectations about the Organization, have grown significantly. And in parallel to it, youth, particularly university students, have been increasingly seen as more actively advocating for the different campaigns, causes, and initiatives the United Nations carries out.
This event, hosted by UN Academic Impact, will highlight what universities and colleges worldwide are doing concerning global challenges, what multilateralism means for institutions of higher education, and what these institutions mean to the United Nations. It will also answer questions such as: How to improve the relationship between academia and the United Nations? What role is there for faculty and students?
Agenda
Welcome remarks:
Ms. Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications
First panel: Teaching, researching and writing about multilateralism and the United Nations: Reflections, lessons learned and knowledge-sharing
Moderator:
Mr. Robert Skinner, Deputy Director and Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement at the Outreach Division of the United Nations Department for Global Communications
Presenters:
Dr. Daniel Naujoks, Lecturer of International and Public Affairs and Interim Director of International Organization and UN Studies Specialization, Columbia University (United States). Former Research Consultant for the United Nations Development Programme.
Ms. Savita Pawnday, Executive Director of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect at the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, City University of New York (United States). Former International Development Fellow with Catholic Relief Services in Zimbabwe.
Prof. Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, Professor of International Affairs at The New School (United States). Former Lead Author and Director of the Human Development Reports at the United Nations Development Programme. Author of the book Millennium Development Goals: Ideas, Interests and Influence.
Dr. Ş. İlgü Özler, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the State University of New York - New Paltz (United States) and Founder and Director of its Global Engagement Program. Founder of the Mid-Hudson Valley local chapter of the United Nations Association – USA.
Dr. Parfait Eloundou-Enyegue, Professor at the Department of Global Development, Cornell University (United States). Member of the Independent Group of Scientists 2019 for the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Report. Former Consultant with the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and The World Bank.
Dr. Courtney Smith, Dean of the School of Diplomacy and International Relations and affiliate with the Center for UN and Global Governance Studies, Seton Hall University (United States). Assistant Treasurer of the Academic Council on the United Nations System. Author of the book Politics and Process at the United Nations: The Global Dance.
Second panel: Student activism and engagement on the United Nations goals and principles: Actions and voices from campus
Moderator:
Ms. Jayashri Wyatt, Chief of the Education Outreach Section at the Outreach Division of the United Nations Department of Global Communications
Presenters:
Ms. Sybil Wang, Student at New York University (United States)
Ms. Maryam Albakarti, Student at the New York Medical College (United States)
Ms. Rolake Tomoye, Student at Lehigh University (United States)