The 2nd UNITAR International Research Conference ‎‎ ‎ ‎ 3 - 4 December 2024, UN House Brussels, Belgium

UN 2.0: OUR COMMON AGENDA AND THE ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN CONFLICT, PEACE, AND DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH CONFERENCE

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.

UNITAR

Conference Proceedings

Structured around the guiding principles of UN 2.0, Our Common Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Pact for the Future, the conference examined how universities and research institutions can serve as drivers of global cooperation, resilience, and innovation. Through plenary sessions, expert panels, and interactive discussions, speakers and participants contributed valuable insights on themes such as digital learning, human security, climate resilience, and governance in conflict-affected regions. The proceedings capture the depth and diversity of the structure, themes, and collaborative spirit of the 2UIRC on the role of higher education as a bridge between research, policy, and practice. They have been developed as a faithful record of the ideas exchanged, the sessions delivered, and the abstracts submitted on the occasion of the conference. Topics reflect complex and pressing issues, including education's role in countering extremism, promoting social equity, the ethical use of AI, and integrating climate resilience into higher education. These conversations oﬀered not only academic insights but also practical ideas for shaping the future collaboratively, but also the need to integrate transrationality and second-order reflexivity. The Conference Proceedings serve as a resource for academics, policymakers, and international organisations committed to fostering education-driven global transformation, conflict resolution, and sustainable development.

RESEARCH PAPERS

The conference fostered partnerships between universities, international organisations, and UNITAR, strengthening academic involvement in climate security and peacebuilding. By collaborating on curriculum development, research initiatives, and training modules, these partnerships ensured that academic expertise was integrated with global frameworks like the UN Global Pact for the Future, driving impactful solutions.

To maximize the impact of the research presented at the 2nd UNITAR International Research Conference, selected papers will be published in a digital conference proceedings book. Additionally, a special issue in the Higher Education Compass Journal will feature contributions from collaborators and speakers. These publication pathways aim to amplify diverse perspectives, foster cross-disciplinary dialogue, and advance global efforts in peace, conflict resolution, and sustainable development through higher education.

Participants submitted abstracts and research papers covering:

UN 2030: SDG Leadership, Literacy, and Higher Education
The Peace Habitus, Post-Structural Violence, and Second-Order Reflexivity
Climate Action & Climate Justice
Health in Conflict Zones
Economic, Political, and Business Models for the Delivery of UN 2.0
STEM & STEAM Education Initiatives
Engaging Students & Researchers in UN 2030 Research
Digital Transformation & Innovation in Education
Higher Education & Peacebuilding in the UN Agenda
Game-Based Learning & Immersive Learning Technologies
SDG Leadership & Research on ESD (Education for Sustainable Development)
Mental Health & Wellbeing to Support ESD

AUTHORS GUIDELINES AND CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS 902.74 KB

CONCEPT NOTE 1.07 MB

Partners

Leading academic institutions, including the key partners Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) and Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), joined forces with ÇAĞ University, Polytechnic University of Cartagena, Technical University of Sofia, Oxford Brookes University, University of Derby, and the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. This academic coalition was further strengthened by the participation of key organisations such as the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine, Diplomats Without Borders, the Portuguese National Institute of Administration (INA, I.P.), and the Irish Economic Association.