September 4, 2023, Geneva, Switzerland - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is delighted to announce that its “Art for Peace” Collection was selected as a finalist at the SDG Digital GameChangers Award, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in the “Peace” Category.

The process invited submissions from the Youth, Government, Private sector, Civil society, International Organizations and UN Agencies, as well as from Academia and the Technical community, and received over 450 solutions.

Part of the upcoming SDG Digital event, scheduled to take place on 17 September in New York, the SDG Digital GameChangers Award is a prestigious recognition organized by the International Telecommunication Union, that celebrates the efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing the SDGs through digital innovation. This initiative aims to harness the power of digital technologies to drive positive change in various sectors, including the category of Peace. In the category of Peace, digital technologies, underpinned by international cooperation, play a pivotal role in strengthening governance, enhancing transparency, and promoting collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

The "Art for Peace" NFT Collection is a UNITAR and University for Peace joint initiative. The inaugural edition, ‘’Pura Vida,‘’ includes 5,000 digital art pieces, designed by the talented Costa Rican Artist Gussa, and is a unique celebration of peace and hope, and advocates for equal access to education.

All proceeds from the sale of the "Art for Peace" collection will go toward a Fellowship Programme, benefiting 50 candidates from Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. This programme empowers these individuals with knowledge and skills, making a meaningful contribution to achieving SDGs.

The initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). It addresses the challenges of access to education in emerging countries and seeks to bridge the global equity gap by enhancing human capital and promoting sustainable development.

The use of blockchain technology, specifically Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), showcases the power of innovation in fundraising for social impact. 

 For more information on the “Art for Peace” Collection, to view the artwork and sign up for the pre-sale list, please visit: www.artforpeacecollection.org. Sales will officially open on October 6, 2023.

 UNITAR is honoured and humbled to have been selected as a finalist for the prestigious SDG GameChangers Award, along with the following: 

• Category 1- People – 15 Finalists : https://www.itu.int/initiatives/sdgdigital/gamechangers-award/people/
• Category 2 – Planet – 10 Finalists: https://www.itu.int/initiatives/sdgdigital/gamechangers-award/planet/
• Category 3 – Prosperity – 10 Finalists: https://www.itu.int/initiatives/sdgdigital/gamechangers-award/prosperity/
• Category 4 – Peace – 10 Finalists: https://www.itu.int/initiatives/sdgdigital/gamechangers-award/peace/
• Special Category – Pioneers – 15 Finalists: https://www.itu.int/initiatives/sdgdigital/gamechangers-award/pioneers/

 The winner and runner-up for each category will be recognized during the SDG Digital Award closed ceremony on 16 September in New York.