In-Person - 2nd UNITAR International Research Conference - UN 2.0: Our Common Agenda and the Role of Higher Education in Conflict, Peace and Development
The 2nd UNITAR International Research Conference will be held in the UN Offices in Brussels, Belgium from 3rd - 4th December 2024. Held annually, since 2023, the UNITAR International Research Conference provides an opportunity to academics, practitioners, NGOs, students, and members of the business and international community to present their work, publish their results, exchange ideas, and network for accelerating the delivery of the SDGs and establishing and enhancing collaboration.
The UN 2030 Conference is the flagship conference of UNITAR, UoC and TU Dublin focussing on education for sustainable development supported by alternative and innovative pedagogies. This conference is part of a series of conferences that will rotate among the EUt+ members and interested Universities at the global level through different locations during 2024 – 2028.
The Conference venue is at the UN House, Boulevard du Régent 37-40, 1000 Brussels.
The 2nd UNITAR International Research Conference will continue to serve as a catalyst for connecting local and international stakeholders, around the theme of UN 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, hence adding value to the global dialogue on how to contribute to the advancement of education for sustainable development that will contribute to policy making and to enable open research and collaborative opportunities for researchers, academics, learners, and relevant stakeholders around the world.
The 2nd UNITAR International Research Conference's theme, "UN 2.0: Our Common Agenda and the Role of Higher Education in Conflict Peace and Development," encompasses a broad range of topics divided into several streams such as SDG Leadership, Climate Action, Health in Conflict Zones, and Economic Models for UN 2.0.
The event will feature both in-person and hybrid formats, including pre-conference workshops at various universities. Participants, including academics, practitioners, NGOs, and business community members, are invited to submit papers on innovative and interdisciplinary approaches in higher education and sustainable development.
Accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings. The document also lists the organizing committee members and highlights the conference's role in fostering global collaboration and informing policy-making.
The 2nd UNITAR International Research Conference invites the submission of papers that employ cross-disciplinary, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches, emphasizing innovative and alternative pedagogies for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Furthermore, the conference promotes the integration of research and practice, encouraging case studies, real-life examples, and ethical considerations in educational settings. The aim is to develop a new educational model (ANEM) that aligns with societal needs and advances SDG leadership and literacy through personalized and community-engaged learning journeys.
Proposed Themes & Interrelated Topics:
- STEM & STEAM Education Initiatives
- Student-centred Learning Environments
- Engaging Students in UN 2030 Research
- Engaging Researchers and Academics in UN Research and Case Studies
- Integrating Research and ESD
- Digital Transformation & Innovation
- Ethical Challenges
- Future-oriented and Personalised Education Concepts
- Higher Education and UN 2030
- Universities, Pedagogy, and a New Peace Agenda
- Innovative and Alternative Pedagogies for ESD
- Learning, Teaching and Assessment for the SDGs and ESD
- Best Practice in SD – A practitioner’s view
- SD in Action – real life examples
- SDG competency requirements
- Game-based Learning and Gamification
- Non-traditional Lab concepts
- Cross-Disciplinary, Multidisciplinary, Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Education
- Virtual, Virtual Reality, Extended Reality (XR), Metaverse and Remote Labs and Classrooms
- Immersive Learning Environments, Global Collaboration
- Generative AI in learning and educational settings
- Education 1.0 to 5.0 in the Industry 4.0 to 5.0 era
- A New Educational Model (ANEM) for the SDGs
- Mental Health and Wellbeing to support ESD
- Community Engagement
- Industry Engagement
- Cultural Integration, Plurilingualism
- Digital Literacy and Skills
- SDG leadership and literacy
- Personalised Learning Journeys
- UN 2.0 Quintet of Change for Education
The UNITAR International Research Conference target audience includes academics, researchers, educators, practitioners, NGOs, students, business community members, and policymakers. The event aims to foster global collaboration, inform policy-making, and develop innovative educational models aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda.
Papers in English should be original and not submitted for publication elsewhere. Papers accepted for conference at the Seminar might be published as Conference Proceedings. Furthermore, a number of selected papers will be intended to be published in special themes editions. Proposals for panel sessions will also be considered.
If you are interested in attending, send a one-page abstract in English to: Dr. Jon-Hans Coetzer at jon-hans.coetzer [at] unitar.org (jon-hans[dot]coetzer[at]unitar[dot]org), and Dr. Lucia Morales" lucia.morales [at] TUDublin.ie (lucia[dot]morales[at]TUDublin[dot]ie), and Dr. Daniel Rajmil at drajmil [at] uoc.edu (drajmil[at]uoc[dot]edu). Abstracts submission should be sent by the 17 September 2024. A title page with a complete list of authors, their academic/professional position, addresses, phone and fax numbers as well as E-mail should be included separately.
The decision of the Scientific Committee will be communicated to the authors by 10 October 2024.
Authors that would like to attend the conference would need to register no later than 20 October 2024.
A selection of research papers and essays presented during the conference will be submitted for publication in a UNITAR sponsored publication.
UNITAR will not be able to provide sponsorship for accommodation and travel to the conference.
Visa Support and Attendance Disclaimer: Please note that UNITAR is not in a position to provide assistance with visa applications and requests for attending the 2nd UNITAR Research Conference. It is the responsibility of each attendee to secure the necessary visa for entry to Brussels - the host country. We strongly recommend you contact the relevant consular authorities well in advance to ensure the timely processing of your visa applications.
Furthermore, UNITAR would not be a position to refund conference fees paid in the event any participant is unable to attend, including the denial or delay of the issuing of a visa.
Participants are also advised to arrange their own travel insurance.
Upon request, UNITAR would be more than happy to issue a digital (PDF) letter of invitation to support visa your visa application request. Kindly note, this letter of invitation will be provided upon proof of payment. Proof of payment should be send to elearning.ptp [at] unitar.org (elearning[dot]ptp[at]unitar[dot]org). Thank you for your understanding.
There are no discounts or fee waivers: all participants must pay the full registration fee.
The applicant shall bear any costs, charges, or exchange rates imposed by the bank. UNITAR is not responsible for these or any other additional costs or delays.