Educating for Futures: Empowering Individuals and Institutions for Innovation in the Domain of Human Security, Peace, and Sustainable Development
The UNITAR International Research Conference (UIRC) is an annual flagship initiative of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), convened in collaboration with international partners. Since its launch in 2023, the UIRC series has provided a global platform for interdisciplinary dialogue at the intersection of education, peace, security, and sustainable development.
Following the inaugural focus on Climate Security (2023), the second edition’s emphasis on higher education and peacebuilding (2024), and the third edition’s commitment to bridging knowledge and action to deliver the SDGs (2025), the 4th UNITAR International Research Conference (4UIRC), taking place from 18 to 19 November 2026 in UN House Brussels, Belgium, will advance the discussion toward future oriented capacity development for the creation of a Peace Learning Innovation Lab.
The 2026 edition takes place at a particularly significant moment for the United Nations and the global sustainable development agenda. It aligns with the midpoint review period of the 2030 Agenda, as Member States assess progress and intensify efforts to accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. It also coincides with the first full year of implementation of the United Nations Pact for the Future, marking a shift from global commitments to operational priorities across the UN system. At the same time, the approach to 2030 represents a critical phase for climate action, resilience, and sustainable development, as the international community confronts increasingly narrow timelines for achieving agreed targets.
In an era characterized by accelerating global transitions, including the intensification of climate-related disasters and displacement, the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence and digital platforms across economies and governance systems, the reconfiguration of global supply chains, and the increasing strain on multilateral cooperation frameworks—there is a growing need to strengthen the capacities of individuals and institutions to anticipate, prevent, and respond to complex and interconnected challenges. Higher education and lifelong learning play a critical role in this context, serving as catalysts for human security, institutional resilience, and transformative governance.
Conference information
Dates: 18 to 19 November 2026
Venue: UN House Brussels, Belgium
Overarching Theme: Educating for Futures
Participation: By application and selection
Themes
Under the overarching theme “Educating for Futures”, the 4UIRC will address the following interconnected thematic areas. In line with the established tradition of the UIRC and as reflected in previous editions, each theme is intended to accommodate diverse disciplinary, regional, and methodological perspectives, and to integrate cross-cutting considerations such as gender equality, inclusion, youth participation, and equity in access to education and opportunity.
- Learning systems for peace, protection, prevention, and social cohesion.
- Education in fragile, conflict-affected, and crisis contexts
- Peace education, social cohesion, and prevention approaches
- Protection of civilians, humanitarian learning, and education in emergencies
- Migration, displacement, and inclusive learning systems
- Gender-responsive and community-based education for resilience
- Futures literacy and strategic foresight in education and training
- Anticipatory governance, early warning, and prevention-oriented learning
- Institutional learning for crisis preparedness and systemic resilience
- Capacity development for policy innovation and public sector transformation
- Inclusive and intergenerational approaches to shaping futures
- Capacity development for responsible AI, data governance, and inclusive digital transformation.
- Responsible AI, ethics, and human-centred digital education
- Digital learning ecosystems and technology-enabled capacity development
- Data governance, cybersecurity, and digital public infrastructure
- Bridging digital divides and advancing equitable access
- Gender, technology, and inclusion in digital transformation
- Learning for resilience, sustainability, and just transitions.
- Climate education and green skills development
- Disaster risk reduction, anticipatory action, and resilience learning
- Environmental peacebuilding and resource governance education
- Education for sustainable livelihoods and just transitions
- Indigenous, local, and gender-responsive climate knowledge systems
- Empowerment, participation, and dialogue across generations.
- Youth leadership, civic engagement, and peacebuilding education
- Student-led research and innovation
- Intergenerational learning models and dialogue spaces
- Education for wellbeing, inclusion, and agency
- Gender-transformative and youth-centred pedagogies
- Translating knowledge into policy, practice, and institutional change
- Research-to-policy and science–practice interfaces
- South–South and triangular cooperation in education and training
- University–UN–community partnerships
- Monitoring, evaluation, and learning for impact
- Co-creation of knowledge with underrepresented communities
Objectives
The overarching purpose of the 4UIRC is to examine how education, training, and applied research can empower individuals and institutions to advance peace, security, and sustainable development in line with UNITAR’s vision and mission.
The specific objectives of the conference are to:
- Strengthen the capacities of individuals, particularly students, early career researchers, and practitioners, to contribute to multilateral diplomacy, public sector performance, and the SDGs.
- Explore the role of higher education institutions in supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Pact for the Future.
- Promote robust and inclusive learning ecosystems that foster long-term impact and resilience.
- Enhance the quality and effectiveness of UN and partner capacity building efforts through shared learning, research, and evidence-based dialogue.
Methodology
The 4UIRC is fully aligned with UNITAR’s vision of a world where empowered individuals and institutions advance peace, security, and sustainable development, and its mission to bridge gaps in knowledge and skills through impactful training, research, and innovative learning solutions.
Guided by the United Nations Charter, the UN Leadership Framework, and UNITAR’s core values of inclusion, integrity, humility, and humanity, the conference will uphold principles of impartiality, independence, and evidence-based inquiry. It contributes directly to UNITAR’s four Strategic Objectives by:
- Empowering individuals with future-ready capacities (SO1);
- Strengthening institutional capacity to implement global and national priorities (SO2);
- Supporting the development of learning ecosystems (SO3);
- Enhancing UN capacity building through research and shared learning (SO4).
Target Audience
The conference will convene global scholars, practitioners, policymakers, students, community leaders, and UN stakeholders through a combination of:
- Research presentations and panels;
- Applied and practitioner-oriented sessions;
- Roundtables and collaborative dialogues.
The 4UIRC will promote interdisciplinarity, plurilingualism, gender balance, and inclusive participation.
Expected Outcomes
The 4UIRC is expected to:
- Strengthen individual and institutional capacities aligned with UNITAR’s mandate;
- Generate policy relevant and practice oriented research insights;
- Foster partnerships across academia, policy, and practice;
- Contribute to UNITAR’s knowledge base and future capacity building initiatives.
Apply Now
If you wish to join us IN-PERSON:
- In-person Registration Deadline: 4 September 2026.
- In-Person Fee: 360.00 USD - Payment Deadline: 11 September 2026.
If you wish to join us ONLINE:
- Online Registration Deadline: 11 September 2026.
- Online Fee: 300.00 USD - Payment Deadline: 11 September 2026.
Leave No One Behind
This opportunity is only open to:
Women and youth, especially early-career researchers and students
Participants from the Global South (including LDCs and SIDS)
Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and displaced individuals
Grassroots practitioners and community leaders without institutional support
Leave No One Behind (online fee waiver) application deadline: 5 June 2026.
All application requirements and instructions are outlined in the form. Kindly read them carefully before submitting. Please note that the selection process for the four limited free online participation spots will be rigorous, based on alignment with the specified UN inclusion criteria. This ensures the opportunity is reserved for individuals who genuinely face systemic barriers to participation, as outlined above.
If you meet the inclusion criteria above, and applied, please do not register for the conference until you are informed of the selection outcome.
If you do not meet the inclusion criteria outlined above, we kindly ask that you proceed with standard registration for either the online attendance or in-person attendance modalities of the Conference.
We appreciate your understanding and encourage early registration through the standard fee-paying channels secure your spot, as interest in past editions of the Conference has been high.
Partnership opportunities for institutions
Partners Expression of Interest Deadline: 31 August 2026.
UNITAR invites institutions and organisations to join us as partners for the 4th UNITAR International Research Conference (4UIRC). We welcome collaboration from universities, research centres, civil society organizations, international institutions, foundations, government bodies, and the private sector. Together, we can amplify impact, bridge knowledge and action, and drive meaningful progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Opportunities to collaborate include:
- Co-hosting sessions.
- Sponsoring participation.
- Joint promotion and research exchange.
- Student awards and engagement initiatives.
- Contributing to event funding to help offset logistical and operational costs.
Delegation Participation and Fee Waivers
Many partner institutions participate by supporting a delegation of participants to attend or contribute to the conference. As a gesture of appreciation, and within UNITAR’s limited operational budget, the following provisions may apply:
Delegations of 3–5 participants may receive one participation fee waiver.
Partnering institutions often allocate this waiver to a Master’s or PhD student or an early-career researcher.
For pre-existing collaborative partners, up to two participation fee waivers may be granted depending on the nature and scope of the collaborative partnership.
Partner institutions benefit from visibility within the conference programme and communications, as well as opportunities to engage with an international network of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
CONTACTS
Online Learning and Education (preferred contact)
E-mail: elearning.ptp@unitar.org
Conference Organising Team
Dr Jon-Hans Coetzer
Senior Programme Specialist, Online Learning and Education
E-mail: jon-hans.coetzer@unitar.com
Alexandra Severino
Programme Coordinator, Online Learning and Education
E-mail: alexandra.severino@unitar.org
Ana Moreira
Graphic Designer, Online Learning and Education
E-mail: ana.moreira@unitar.org