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In a world facing unprecedented global challenges, the need for informed and capable leaders has never been greater. The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) recognizes this urgency and has established its Online Learning and Education services to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, and networks to drive positive change worldwide.

UNITAR's online academic programmes and open online courses draw on 75 years of the United Nations experience in the field and decades of UNITAR's expertise in training and research. Collaborating with renowned partner universities around the globe, UNITAR has developed a rich academic heritage and a strong applied practice that is now accessible to learners worldwide.

Importantly, these programmes incorporate the insights and feedback of several generations of learners – individuals who, like you, are dedicated to promoting global peace, security, and development. By becoming part of this cohort, you will gain valuable knowledge and skills and connect with a network of like-minded change-makers, amplifying your impact.

UNITAR's online offerings are designed with the fundamental principles of availability, accessibility, acceptability, and adaptability in mind. This ensures that the "furthest first" is reached, leaving no one behind – a core tenet of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Excellence in training is a guiding principle for UNITAR, reflected in its mission of providing "knowledge to lead." This is not about UNITAR's leadership but about empowering and advancing your leadership through high-quality educational experiences.

Informed leadership and mutual support are essential for overcoming today's unprecedented challenges. UNITAR's online programmes cultivate a global vision – one that pushes the boundaries of what's possible and equips learners with the expertise to transform the world we live in.

This transformative approach, blending expert knowledge and practical skills, will drive the path towards a better tomorrow for all. We are in this together regardless of our differences or unequal starting points. By learning from and with each other, we can be the change we wish to see in the world. 

UNITAR understands the unique challenges professionals face, especially those working in the field. For decades, the institute has been developing distance-learning products and services that combine the convenience of online delivery with the benefits of collaboration, learner engagement, and human interaction.

Today, UNITAR's Online Learning and Education portfolio encompasses a wide range of courses, from short-term offerings to accredited graduate-level and PhD degrees and related qualifications. These programmes are designed to deepen existing knowledge, acquire new skills, and cultivate the leadership required to drive progress towards the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Anchored in Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), UNITAR's online learning experiences are transformative. They combine theoretical concepts with practical applications, online and offline components, internships, lectures, and peer-to-peer learning.

With over 70 courses covering peacekeeping, peacebuilding, youth and women empowerment, post-conflict reintegration, and the rule of law, UNITAR's online learning services offer a comprehensive and continuously updated curriculum. Additionally, 25 open online courses in English, French, and Spanish are available free of charge, providing accessible opportunities for knowledge and skill development.

By empowering global change agents through its Online Learning and Education expertise, UNITAR positions itself as a vital partner in pursuing a more sustainable, equitable, and peaceful world. Join us on this transformative journey and become part of the solution.

There are so many opportunities to learn with us and to support global learning!  

Flagship master degrees:

• Master’s Degree in Lifelong Learning in Conflict, Peace and Security
• Master in Electoral Policy and Administration
• Master in Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding
• Master Degree in Global Sustainability Leadership

PhD Research Opportunities:

• Alternative Pedagogies to Change the Higher Education Landscape
• Maritime Security and Port Governance
• Peace Studies and the Economic Dimension of Extractive Industries
• Geoeconomics and Geopolitics: Development in a Shifting Balance of Power Landscape
• The International Political Economy Through the Lens of Geoeconomics and Geopolitics

As well as other learning opportunities:

• Open Online Courses
• Courses for UNVs 
• Open Webinar Series: Navigating the Complex Field of Conflict, Peace and Security
• An AI-focussed Digital Cooperation and Partnership Development Initiative