UNU research focuses on the challenges faced by the United Nations and its Member States. Our current research portfolio supports all of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015 to inspire global action to overcome the world’s biggest challenges.
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Reimagining the Human-Environment Relationship
A collaborative effort to capture, interrogate, and elevate alternative paradigms of the human/nature relationship
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Database of Global Forest Governance Arrangements
Mapping global and regional governance arrangements on forests and other ecosystems relevant to biodiversity and climate change.
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Stress Testing the UN’s Regional Prevention Approaches
This project was driven by the key question: How can the UN better integrate its regional prevention work to more effectively respond to major crises?
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The Evolution of Inclusion: Three Decades of Policies and Programmes To Manage Exits From Armed Groups in Colombia
A history of DDR policy and programming in Colombia and lessons learned that can be applied to other contexts.
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Vigilante Groups and Militias in Southern Nigeria
Analyzing the landscape of anti-crime militias and vigilante forces in Nigeria's South over the past 20 years.
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Protecting Together
Identifying challenges confronting human rights and military components in volatile settings.
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Earth Shattering: Financial Engagement at the Nexus of Modern Slavery and Natural Resources in Africa
Promoting synchronized action to tackle risks and abuses in cocoa production and gold mining value chains in Ghana.
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Beyond Opportunism: The UN Development System's Response to the Triple Planetary Crisis
Capturing best practices and the constraints experienced by Resident Coordinators in relation to the Triple Planetary Crisis.
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Volunteer Security Outfits in North East Nigeria
Presenting evidence on conflict transitions and related programming for policymakers and practitioners.
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Governing Uncertainty
Surveying major trends that will shape the future of global governance over the next 30 years.