Strengthening the Interface between Academia and International Geneva to Address Global Challenges

PALAIS DES NATIONS. KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING COMMONS (UN Library)

Faced with increasingly complex global challenges in interconnected areas such as health, environment, humanitarian work, development and ICTs, international organisations need to develop integrated solutions involving a wide range of stakeholders across sectors and institutions. Academia is a key partner in this endeavour. Although collaboration between international organisations and scientists is already taking place, more needs to be done to ensure that academic institutions engage in a more sustainable way with international actors to assist in the development of sound and innovative policies at the international level.

On the occasion of a high-level meeting of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and of the Global Council of Research-Intensive Universities Network (GCRIUN) in Geneva, the GSPI, together with the UN Learning and Knowledge Commons, have convened a special event at Palais des Nations to discuss ways of fostering innovative models of engagement between European universities and International organisations based in Geneva.Key stakeholders from international Geneva were invited to share their insights on pressing issues requiring scientific evidence and academic thinking, taking stock of opportunities and gaps to address these needs.

LERU’s research policy directors shared their current thinking on impact research and engagement with external stakeholders and suggested ways to better support global policymaking in the areas discussed. Representatives from international organisations, permanent missions to the UN in Geneva, academic institutions and other non-state actors in the audience were able to actively engage with these issues throughout the afternoon.

‍Programme
LERU press release
Address of Michael Møller, Director-General of the UN Office in Geneva