MULTILINGUALISM AT UNITAR

RECORD-BREAKING YEAR IN NUMBERS

In 2021, we had a quite busy year at UNITAR. We continued to expand our portfolio of free and open online courses, developed additional SDG 3 (good health and well-being)-related programming, concluded agreements with multiple new partners and donors, and we continued developing a great variety of training and capacity development events to empower participants from all over the world. In numbers, 2021 was another record-breaking year for UNITAR. (See 2021 Results Report – PDF)

HOW TO CREATE MULTILINGUAL ONLINE COURSES FOR INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCES

You want to create a new exciting online course that will be taken by hundreds - or even thousands - of participants from all over the world. You want your project to have the greatest possible impact and reach, and to do so, the course needs to be available in different languages. But how do you go about it? Translating an online course to different languages can seem like a daunting task. This article will give you a quick introduction to the processes involved so that you can tackle your multilingual project successfully.

SIGN LANGUAGE AND INCLUSION: LEARNING FROM LEARNERS

So much of the world’s information is available through reading, speaking or listening. But what if those channels aren't available to you? What if the language you use isn’t spoken or written? Accessibility for people with disabilities is one of the goals of the 2030 Agenda. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion people around the world live with some form of disability, and this number continues to increase. In fact, almost everyone will temporarily or permanently experience disability at some point in their life.

PERSPECTIVES: NATURE OF MULTILINGUALISM IN THE DIVISION FOR PROSPERITY

Language is a powerful tool to express, communicate, and convey messages, and in our case, deliver training programmes. By offering programmes in several languages, UNITAR seeks to empower a wider audience to address topics such as social entrepreneurship, peace, finance and trade, digital futures, disaster risk reduction, women’s empowerment and more.

MAKING SATELLITE IMAGERY ANALYSIS ACCESSIBLE

The use of Earth Observation, in particular satellite imagery interpretation, has considerably expanded in recent years. Geospatial analysis is now a high-demand tool to collect evidence on specific situations. However, as with any other technical expertise, the accessibility of the results has to be taken into consideration before their dissemination. In that light, the United Nations Satellite Centre’s (UNOSAT) Emergency Mapping service is producing maps and other products in the local language when capacity allows.

YOUTH AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT TEAM, UNITAR DIVISION FOR PEACE

In an effort to promote global progress toward a more sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous world, UNITAR has been working since its founding in 1963 to bridge the capacity gaps that exist for individuals and institutions. By developing tailored learning solutions that facilitate the creation of flexible and intellectually stimulating environments for learning and collaboration and encourage participation, dialogue, local ownership, and knowledge base expansion for sustainable impact.

UNITAR LAUNCHES MULTILINGUAL EVENTS IN MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY

In support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Youth 2030: The UN Youth Strategy, UNITAR is pleased to have launched the United Nations Youth Leadership Development Programme that aims to promote the knowledge of climate change, economic and social development, science and technology, while simultaneously focusing on global issues of environment, public health, climate change, and refugees.

BUILDING YOUTH CONFIDENCE IN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGES

On 6 August 2022, the 77th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, Secretary-General António Guterres met with young activists from across Japan for a frank dialogue on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The discussion made an indelible impression on other Japanese youth who were there. “The panellists were discussing worldly topics in English confidently and passionately,” said Shizuku Yamashima, a 17-year-old observer at the venue.

MULTILINGUALISM AT THE DIVISION FOR PEOPLE AND SOCIAL INCLUSION

The Division for People and Social Inclusion has continuously ensured multilingualism remains at the core of our activities, events, publications and learning opportunities. This has been accomplished via on the ground training activities in countries around the world, online courses offered in multiple languages, regular webinar series, with webinars being hosted in English, French and Spanish, and via the publication of toolkits, most notably the The Management Practices for Safer Roads Toolkit available in nine languages.

PEACE - DEVELOPING CONFLICT MANAGEMENT CAPACITIES OF LIBYAN CSOS

Since 2020, UNITAR Peacekeping Training Programme has supported UNDP in the delivery of capacity building activities under the "Stabilization Facility for Libya" initiative.

The training component aims at deepening the knowledge and enhancing the skills of local Libyan Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on different topics, in particular, technical capacities to analyse and manage conflict and develop programming solutions contributing to peace on the local level, and organisational capacities to sustain and improve operations and to apply for funds from UNDP's micro-grants scheme. The project is implemented in Arabic. This impact story reveals how, after two years, participants have applied the knowledge and skills in their organisations and for elaborating conflict analysis reports. The Impact Story built on a multilingual survey deployed in English and Arabic and testimonials gathered by the project team, also in Arabic.

YOUTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE SURVEY

As the generation which will face the consequences of climate change throughout their lives, youth potentially have a lot to gain if the rising temperatures are tamed or reversed. How can UN CC:learn better equip youth to act on climate change? That's what this 10-minute survey aims to unveil. By answering it, you'll help UN CC:Learn better design and deliver its initiatives.

FOOD WASTE PREVENTION E-COURSE

Food waste is a serious problem that, among other things, contributes to the climate crisis. The newly launched Food Waste Prevention e-course, available in English and Portuguese, walks you through the positive outcomes of preventing food waste while showing the role you can play in this process.

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UNITAR'S INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW COURSE

War remains a matter of great concern to humanity. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that the ravages of war continue to have a devastating impact, especially on the civilian population. War might be the “end of the law” as one said, but International Law is not silent on armed conflicts. From its conception in 1859 on the battlefield of Solferino to contemporary warfare, modern International Humanitarian Law (IHL) has been confronted with significant challenges.

CITIZEN SCIENCE DATA TO TRACK SDG PROGRESS

A new policy brief “Policy Brief: Citizen science data to track SDG Progress: Low-hanging fruit for Governments and National Statistical Offices” is available now. It aims to bring greater understanding to the use of citizen science data for monitoring the SDGs by drawing on research conducted as part of the EU-funded Crowd4SDG project with contributions from several international organizations and research centres.

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MASTER IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND DIPLOMACY

In an increasingly interconnected, globalized and complex world, where the importance of multilateral dialogue and cooperation is ever growing, the demand for training and capacity development in the field of international relations and diplomacy is constantly rising. In this regard, the establishment of this innovative Online Master in International Affairs & Diplomacy, and Post-Graduate Certificates created in partnership with the Open University of Catalonia (UOC) holds great significance.

PLASTIC WASTE AND THE BASEL CONVENTION E-COURSE

Of the plastic waste generated globally to date, only about 9% has been recycled. How does it impact our environment and our health? To address this issue, countries have adopted the Basel Convention to protect both human health and the environment from the adverse effects that result from the generation and management of hazardous waste. Learn more about this Convention and how we can prevent the generation of plastic waste today. Registrations are open.

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EXECUTIVE DIPLOMA ON INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW AND TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE

Many different accountability mechanisms – truth commissions, international and hybrid tribunals have been established and successfully implemented. As a consequence, the world demands justice. Designed to provide unique access to information, perspectives, updates and analysis on accountability mechanisms, this programme is for individuals seeking to develop a working background on the topics as well as those already thoroughly versed in their dynamics.

CLIMATE QUIZ

Do you know your climate IQ?

Test your knowledge of climate change and find out how much you already know about this global threat. The new free UN CC:Learn tool – the Climate Quiz – will give you your climate IQ while providing you with a series of recommendations to strengthen your knowledge. You will get your immediate results after completing the quiz. Try it now! Available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

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PARTNERSHIPS

UNITAR AND UNIVERSIDAD EUROPEA DE VALENCIA PRESENT THE MASTER'S IN INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND NEGOTIATION

The Universidad Europea de Valencia and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) present the Master in International Leadership and Negotiation. The increase in volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) in today's world means there is no longer an approach to management that can be applied to all organizations and work environments.

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CELEBRATING 2 YEARS OF COLLABORATION WITH WUHAN UNIVERSITY ON AI RESEARCH FOR REMOTE SENSING

In July 2019, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Wuhan University (WHU) to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and innovation capacities for remote sensing through the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT). Two years and a pandemic later, the collaboration keeps strong, with new WHU students starting their traineeships at the UNOSAT headquarters in Geneva.