United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies Advancing Knowledge and Learning for Sustainable Development A strategic think tank for the UN and its agencies. www.ias.unu.edu
UNU-IAS Research Programmes At UNU-IAS, research revolves around two overarching programmes: Multilateralism and Governance as well as Knowledge, Science and Assessment. Multilateralism and Governance The following projects under the theme of Multilateralism and Governance are some of the areas UNU-IAS is contributing to: The Biodiplomacy Initiative (BI) conducts research on policy relevant issues arising from the conservation and use of biological resources and associated knowledge and technologies. Its research agenda includes access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing; implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity; the regulation of biotechnology; payment for environmental services provided by biodiversity; climate change and biodiversity. Global Marine Governance undertakes targeted research and capacity building to achieve conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources. The marine project carries out integrated analyses of human uses of ocean resources, and the impacts of these activities on the structure and functioning of marine systems. Urban Futures addresses questions related to fundamental changes in population distribution and growth as well as the distribution of human activities. It promotes an understanding of cities as essential parts of the solution to the sustainable development challenge of the twenty-first century while attempting to define the contours of urbanization and to identify the impacts of this growth on the environment. Sustainable Development Governance (SDG) explores institutional structures related to integrated sustainable development policy- and decision-making, focusing primarily on addressing the fragmented nature of international environmental governance, including climate change governance, and the World Trade Organization and sustainable development.
Knowledge, Science and Assessment The following projects under the theme of Knowledge, Science and Assessment are some of the areas the UNU-IAS is contributing to: Education for Sustainable Development (EfSD) works on research, mobilisation and capacity building for the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) components in educational curricula. EfSD focuses on advocacy and dissemination of ESD principles, promotion of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE) on ESD, and strengthening ESD activities of higher education institutions, with the goal of creating a global learning space for sustainable development, thus contributing to the UN Decade on ESD (2005-2014). Awareness of the value of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities, as well as its potential contribution to sustainable development and poverty alleviation, is growing at a time when such knowledge is being threatened as never before. The Traditional Knowledge Initiative (TKI) seeks to strengthen research and promote awareness of TK to inform action by indigenous peoples, local communities and domestic and international policy makers. Ecosystem Service Assessment (ESA) analyzes the linkages between human well-being and ecosystems services in addressing poverty reduction and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). ESA conducts the follow-up work on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) including new sub-global assessments (SGAs) such as the SGA on Satoyama and Satoumi in Japan. The initiative also supports the mainstreaming of recommendations from the SGAs into national development plans and poverty reduction strategies. Science Policy for Sustainable Development (SPSD) supports the work of the UN in appropriately managing scientific information to ensure that technology meets the needs of the poor while securing environmental sustainability. The four major themes are governing science in developing countries; enhancing access and equity in science, technology and innovation; the role of science advice in the UN System; and the framing of science in international policy making and dispute resolution. For more information on UNU-IAS research, see www.ias.unu.edu/research
Capacity Development Programme The UNU-IAS Capacity Development Programme provides young researchers, scholars and policymakers, particularly those from developing countries, with an opportunity to experience a unique international academic environment and to expand their intellectual vision beyond a single scientific field. The Capacity Development Programme consists of the following components: Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme Ph.D. Fellowship Programme JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme Junior Professional Fellowship Programme Internship Programme Advanced Training and Seminars/Workshops for Capacity Development For more information on the UNU-IAS fellowship programmes, see www.ias.unu.edu/fellowships For information on UNU-IAS internships and vacancies, see www.ias.unu.edu/vacancy Events UNU-IAS hosts roundtable dialogues, seminars, and lectures by in-house and visiting faculty members and academics on a range of issues within the broad spectrum of UNU-IAS research programmes. These events are open to the public and gratis. For more information on the latest UNU-IAS events, see www.ias.unu.edu/events Publications The Institute s research and findings are published through books, policy reports, working papers, articles, and other publications which can be downloaded from the website or ordered upon request. For information on the latest UNU-IAS publications, see www.ias.unu.edu/publications
Advancing Knowledge and Learning for Sustainable Development UNU-IAS is a global think tank whose mission is to... advance knowledge and promote learning for policy-making to meet the challenges of sustainable development. UNU-IAS is part of the United Nations University (UNU) system and an official agency of the UN. UNU-IAS is committed to contributing creative solutions to key emerging issues of global concern, particularly those on the UN agenda. The Institute applies a policy-oriented research programme designed to promote strategic approaches to sustainable development. Research consists of advanced and multidisciplinary methodologies accompanied by postgraduate education and capacity development activities, particularly for developing countries. Bringing together international expertise at local, regional, and global levels, UNU-IAS engages experts from multiple disciplines in the natural, social, and life sciences. The Institute s research projects are carried out by an academic community made up of faculty and staff, administrative personnel, visiting professors, PhD and postdoctoral fellows, augmented by a global network of scholars and academic institutions. UNU-IAS, based in Yokohama, Japan, has two International Operating Units: the Operating Unit Ishikawa/Kanazawa, Japan (a transform entity of the former Ishikawa International Cooperation Research Centre (IICRC)), and the Traditional Knowledge Initiative (TKI) in Darwin, Australia (www.unutki.org).
The United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) is a global think tank for the UN that conducts research and capacity development related to sustainable development. It hosts projects on Biodiplomacy, Global Marine Governance, Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Governance, Education for Sustainable Development, Ecosystem Service Assessment, Traditional Knowledge, and Science Policy for Sustainable Development. United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies 6F International Organizations Center Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku Yokohama 220-8502 Japan Tel: +81-45-221-2300 Fax: +81-45-221-2302 Email: unuias@ias.unu.edu A strategic think tank for the UN and its agencies. www.ias.unu.edu