UN Summer Academy 2023: Governance for Sustainable Development

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change continue to be important global agendas in the quest for sustainable development. The UN Summer Academy (UNSA) recognizes the role of inclusive engagement in addressing these global challenges. 

UNSA is set to convene exceptional groups of changemakers from 26 to 30 June 2023 to address the theme of "Governance for Sustainable Development." 

An interactive multi-stakeholder learning platform 

The UN Summer Academy provides a dynamic, connected, and engaging forum for advancing sustainable development through fostering inclusive exchanges, inspiring action, and building enabling environments. The five-day virtual learning experience aims to bring together participants from civil society, academia, youth-led organizations, UN agencies, and the private sector to examine and appraise key governance challenges, opportunities, and approaches for sustainable development.

"Good governance is essential for achieving sustainable development, and it requires the participation and inclusion of all stakeholders. Our continued partnership with the State of North Rhine-Westphalia will support learning and knowledge sharing in promoting good governance and advancing the achievement of the sustainable development goals.”, said Patrick van Weerelt, Head of Office of the UNSSC Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development.  

Main themes: Multilevel Governance, Green and Just Transitions, and Governance for the Future 

The UN Summer Academy 2023 is built on transformative thinking methods and initiatives fostering a ‘whole-of-society' approach. The sub-themes of Multilevel Governance, Green and Just Transitions, and Governance for the Future have been identified as critical focus areas of the governance lever for sustainable development. Participants will examine the different thematic areas, looking at how transformative thought frameworks of systems thinking, futures thinking, and design thinking can address these issues in a complex and volatile context.

“As we look to 2030, we should not lose heart over the steps that have not yet been taken, but focus on the road ahead. The 2030 Agenda sets a clear compass and the measures that have already been implemented demonstrate that progress on an impressive scale is indeed possible. Events such as the UN Summer Academy clearly contribute to enabling precisely the form of international cooperation that we urgently need. I am therefore thankful to UNSSC for convening this gathering. It is a great opportunity to draw on the expertise and experience of you, a highly diverse group of participants from all over the world,” says Dr. Mark Speich, State Secretary for Federal and European Affairs, and the Representative of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the Federal Government. 

Christianna Pangalos, Learning Portfolio Manager and Lead of the UN Summer Academy said, "Through the UN Summer Academy and the scholarship programme provided by the State of North Rhine Westphalia, we hope to empower UN staff, public servants, civil society organizations, and youth from around the world to drive positive change in their communities through effective governance mechanisms and contribute to global progress towards sustainable development."

About the programme and registration process

Participants who successfully complete the UN Summer Academy 2023 will demonstrate a sound understanding of the key notions underpinning the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. They will have improved their abilities to prepare and practice networking, examine and appraise key governance challenges, and recognize the role of different development partners. Furthermore, they will be able to assess and apply good practices and conceptual approaches in the area of governance for sustainable development.

The UN Summer Academy 2023 will take place online from 26 to 30 June 2023, and will be conducted in English. For more information about the scholarships, and to register, please visit the UN Summer Academy page. The programme is open to everyone, and interested parties can contact sustainable-development@unssc.org for further details.

Scholarship applications

The UN Summer Academy is sponsored by the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia. This year's contribution enabled UNSSC to offer 45 full scholarships. 

Virtually delivered but hosted in Bonn. 

The UN Summer Academy has previously been hosted by the City of Bonn, a sustainability hub and a key location for the United Nations for the past 25 years. As in previous virtual editions, participants will still have an opportunity to learn and discover Bonn virtually as well as connect with the city officials for expert input and cultural events.

Members of the Press 

Members of the Press who wish to cover the UN Summer Academy are welcome to join us for any of the following sessions:

• 26 June 2022, 14:00 – 16:00 CEST: Opening ceremony, including remarks by Dr. Mark Speich, State Secretary for Federal and European Affairs, and the Representative of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the Federal Government and a keynote by Alice Ruhweza, Senior Director at WWF International

• 30 June 2022, 14:00 – 16:00 CEST: Closing ceremony, including remarks by Lord Mayor Katja Dörner and Arvinn Gadgil, Director at UNDP Oslo Governance Center  

The social media hashtag for the UN Summer Academy this year is #UNSA2023. 

Contact information for media inquiries: Ms. Paulyn Duman, p.duman@unssc.org, United Nations System Staff College, Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany.