United Nations Young Leaders Online Training Programme
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) was established in 1963 as an autonomous body within the United Nations with the purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of the work of the UN and its member states.
UNITAR designs and conducts close to 500 different training and knowledge sharing events per year for some 50,000 beneficiaries worldwide. Participants include diplomats, other government officials, non-governmental representatives, and other stakeholders.
At the heart of UNITAR, the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme Unit (MDPU) delivers training workshops to address the needs of these international actors. MDPU’s activities cover a wide range of domains, including training on the UN system and skills development.
There are an estimated 1.8 million people today between the ages of 10 and 24, which is the largest generation of youth in human history. Their numbers are expected to grow—between 2015 and 2030 alone, about 1.9 billion young people are projected to turn 15 years old.
Connected to each other like never before, young people increasingly contribute to innovative solutions, driving social progress and inspiring political initiatives. They are agents of change, mobilizing to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to improve the lives of people and the health of the planet.
UNITAR is therefore delighted to offer an online training programme specifically designed for the global youth. It will offer participants the chance to gain first-hand experience of the United Nations and will provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to fully unfold their potential as global leaders.
The United Nations Young Leaders Online Training Programme consists of a 4-week e-Learning course. The e-learning course will be implemented on UNITAR's e-Learning platform. It comprises 6 different modules, can be studied in a self-paced manner and requires 6-8 hours of studying per week.
- Module 1: The United Nations
- Module 2: Conference Diplomacy
- Module 3: Negotiation Skills
- Module 4: Cosmopolitan Communication
- Module 5: Sustainable Development
- Module 6: The Art of Speechwriting
The course includes weekly reading material, multimedia files as well as discussion boards exchanging views with fellow participants and UNITAR instructors. In addition, the Young Leaders Online Training Programme will be complemented by several 1,5 hour live-webinars. These will be delivered through the platform zoom by UN experts and comprise the following topics:
- Webinar A - The United Nations System
- Webinar B - Multilateral Conferences and Diplomacy
- Webinar C - Cosmopolitan Communication
- Webinar D - The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Given the complexity of Geneva's multilateral environment, UNITAR will cover a series of different thematic areas during the course of the programme. These will include knowledge on the UN system and its agencies, skills development as well as environment and sustainable development.
The Young Leaders Online Training Programme is designed to be highly interactive and participatory. Online activities will include a high level of exposure to policy practitioners and diplomatic settings, thereby allowing participants to gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of the United Nations.
All of the activities will take place in the English language. Should there be any component s not be available in English, UNITAR will ensure the participants will be provided with simultaneous interpretation.
The Young Leaders Training Programme is open to all actors related to international affairs wishing to take on leadership roles in their respective environment and to build up knowledge and skills related to the United Nations and International Geneva.
Participants can include high school students, university students, and other aspiring young leaders of similar background. Junior professionals from public and private sector and senior officials who are young at heart are equally welcome to apply.
In order to ensure the highest quality standards, the registration will be closed after 50 participants. Slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. At the end of the programme, participants will receive a UNITAR certificate of completion.