The United Nations Global Citizenship Training Programme is a dynamic one-week, in-person initiative jointly delivered by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and AFS Intercultural Programs. Designed for university students, young professionals, and emerging leaders, this curriculum provides an immersive learning experience at the heart of the United Nations system.

Held in New York, the course offers participants direct exposure to the work of the United Nations and the broader multilateral ecosystem. The sessions focus on developing core competencies essential for global citizenship, including:

• Understanding UN systems, peacekeeping, and the SDGs
• Diplomatic negotiation and multilateral engagement
• Intercultural dialogue and emotional intelligence
• High-impact leadership and public speaking
• Navigating practical pathways into UN careers

Participants engage directly with UN officials, diplomats, and practitioners, strengthening their understanding of how multilateral institutions operate in practice. The programme also provides valuable networking opportunities with peers from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

At the end of the programme, participants will receive a certificate of completion from UNITAR and the AFS Global Competence Certificate, recognizing their participation in this intensive global citizenship training experience.

The United Nations Global Citizenship Training Programme in New York provides an overview of the United Nations with an inclination toward cultural awareness. It will help participants build solid knowledge on topics in international affairs, deliver training in core diplomatic skills, and offer activities with the following New York-based agencies: 

• Expert Lecture with the UN Information Service (UNIS)
• Expert Lecture with the UN Youth Office (UNYO)
   
• Expert Lecture with the World Food Programme (WFP)
• Fireside Chat with the Association of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS)
   
• Permanent Mission of the US to the UN
• Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN 

The programme will also provide a focus on career development in the United Nations.

The curriculum is tailored for university students, young professionals, and emerging leaders, offering an immersive learning experience within the United Nations system.

The Global Citizenship Training Programme is open to individuals with a strong interest in the United Nations and a demonstrated commitment to active global citizenship.

Applicants may come from the public or private sector, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, academia, or other professional backgrounds. University students and individuals from diverse fields are encouraged to apply.

Eligible candidates must be between 18 and 45 years of age and possess at least an intermediate level of proficiency in written and spoken English.

To uphold high-quality learning standards and ensure an interactive environment, enrollment will close once the maximum capacity of 30 participants is reached. Participation will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.

AFS Intercultural Programms : It is an international non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. The vision of AFS is to ensure a more peaceful, just, equitable and sustainable future by creating more active global citizens: people whose informed, compassionate, and ethical compass drives them to lead lives and make decisions that contribute to a better world.

United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR): Established in 1963, is an autonomous body within the United Nations system dedicated to strengthening the effectiveness of the UN and its Member States through training, capacity development, and knowledge-sharing. Each year, UNITAR delivers hundreds of learning activities worldwide, reaching tens of thousands of beneficiaries, including diplomats, government officials, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders. Through its thematic areas spanning peace, multilateral diplomacy, sustainable development, environmental sustainability, governance, and satellite-based analysis, UNITAR supports the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and advances effective multilateral cooperation.