The 2nd UNITAR International Research Conference (UIRC 2024) took place on 3-4 December 2024 at the United Nations Offices in Brussels, Belgium, marking a significant milestone in the exploration of higher education's role in global peace and sustainable development. 

This event brought together academics, researchers, policymakers, and international organizations to explore the evolving role of higher education in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and sustainable governance. It served as a platform for knowledge exchange, fostering research-based approaches that align with the UN 2.0 vision and the Global Pact for the Future. 

The conference was co-organized by UNITAR’s Division for Peace in collaboration with a network of international universities and institutions, strengthening interdisciplinary research and policy engagement. 

Discussions focused on the following areas: 

• The role of higher education in fostering civic identity, democratic citizenship, and governance for sustainability.
• The integration of peace education at all levels and its role in addressing global governance challenges.
• Climate action, security, and the role of education in environmental sustainability.
• Higher education’s impact on conflict prevention and post-crisis recovery.
• Innovation in public administration training to enhance governance for peace and development. 

This event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including academics and researchers specialising in conflict, peace, and development studies, policymakers and diplomats from international organisations, higher education professionals and students, practitioners and experts in peacebuilding and security, and professionals interested in the intersection of higher education and global peace initiatives. This diverse participation ensured rich discussions and meaningful outcomes that will continue to influence the field of peace and development studies.