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What we do
Today’s complex interdependent planet requires a skilled workforce that can leverage cutting-edge knowledge to make the world a better place. The United Nations System Staff College delivers a robust mix of high-quality knowledge management, training and continuous learning for the staff of the United Nations system and partners.
We are the go-to learning institution for the many organizations and professionals working to deliver human rights, peace and security, and development. As a leading learning institution within the UN system, the Staff College has transformed thousands of careers through innovative, relevant, and pioneering learning strategies.
Fostering a sustainable world
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015, is a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and set a deadline for achieving global peace and prosperity. Through its Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development, which was opened in 2016, UNSSC helps accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through learning, training, and knowledge management. It does so in collaboration with and in support of the UN system, civil society, academia, the private sector and other partners. Another mandate of the Centre is to advance the Paris Agreement, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development supports the policy and operational work of the UN. It does this by advancing knowledge in sustainable development and by developing learning tools, platforms for interaction, and learning offerings for UN staff and counterparts. It also serves as a catalyst and convener, prompting dialogue and knowledge sharing on issues relevant to the vision and mission of the UN.
Supporting a new management culture
In order to support countries to achieve the 2030 Agenda, the UN must transform the way it works. The UN System Leadership Framework and Management Reform are critical elements for enabling this transformation. Both of these elements require UN personnel to develop new knowledge and skills.
UNSSC advances these objectives through its Knowledge Centre for Leadership and Management which contributes to forging a common UN leadership and management culture for the 2030 Agenda. The Knowledge Centre supports excellence in leadership and management through a robust range of learning solutions and services for leadership development, change management and innovation. It has extensive experience working with UN organizations and partners, and offers a unique combination of individual learning offerings, customized cohort-based learning solutions, assessment tools and research initiatives. It brings together outstanding faculty, experts and partners to develop confident, capable, and collaborative leaders.
The Knowledge Centre also offers advisory services in change management and organizational development, mentoring and coaching services, and innovation management tools. Our strategic partnerships ensure that UN entities and partners have the resources and services they need to co-create, shape the future of their work, and deploy effective learning environments that strengthen their internal capabilities.
Developing capacity to build and sustain peace
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes that there can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development.
Two “twin” resolutions on sustaining peace call for comprehensive and coordinated approaches. Based on these landmark frameworks, the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda highlights the need for a “peace continuum” which is to be based on two factors: improved understanding of drivers and systems of influence sustaining conflicts; and meaningful steps to manage emerging risks.
UNSSC’s Peace and Security hub is responding to these calls by providing inclusive, high-quality learning solutions which strengthen the UN’s ability to work across pillars to prevent and mitigate conflict, to build resilient societies and to contribute meaningfully to sustainable peace. The hub equips UN staff and partners to filter programming through the lens of sustaining peace by strengthening analytical capacities and skills.
The hub’s work is geared towards ensuring more coordinated, coherent, and integrated efforts to prevent violence, end conflict, and mitigate fragility. It supports shifts in UN practice towards inclusivity, offering visibility and legitimacy to a broader range of peace actors. In partnership with leading think tanks and academia, it brokers knowledge on thematic issues such as youth, peace and security. It is working to expand skills and knowledge on adapting climate sensitive approaches to peacebuilding.
The hub’s multidisciplinary team is at the forefront of peace and security learning solutions.