UNITAR Online Catalogue
Peace in Action Study Tours - Geneva 2026
Peace
Contexte
Peace is not built by diplomats alone. It's shaped in classrooms and communities, in boardrooms and studios, through policies, stories, effective use of new technologies, and everyday choices. Whether you are studying (or are a recent graduate of) engineering, business, natural sciences, arts, social sciences, technology, or any other field, your skills are not just relevant to global peace, they are essential!
The Peace in Action Study Tours invites you on a journey to reframe peace from an abstract concept to a concrete, tangible set of practices that can be integrated across all sectors of society.
Through a five-day immersive experience in Geneva's unique peace ecosystem, you will explore how peace work manifests from the diplomatic halls of the United Nations to innovative social enterprises and grassroots organizations. You will exchange with practitioners translating commitments into action, engage in meaningful dialogue with peers from around the world, and develop a personal action plan that supports you in defining your very own contribution to sustaining peace.
Objectifs d'apprentissage
Through the Peace in Action Study Tours, you will be able to:
- Analyse how peace work takes place in practice and how it crosscuts through all sectors of society;
- Identify multiple pathways for contributing to peace beyond traditional career pathways;
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of the UN system, its bodies, and real-world impact;
- Develop personal action plans to act as agents of change within your context;
- Build meaningful relationships with a global network of peers and practitioners.
Contenu et structure
The Peace in Action Study Tours are structured around three pillars that guide you from theory to practice:
Pillar 1: Knowledge and Skills Building (The Foundation)
Before arriving in Geneva, you will complete a curated set of courses, which will require a time commitment of approximately 10 hours. The aim of following these online courses is to establish a shared foundation around the base concepts of changemaking and peacebuilding. This baseline is then reinforced and deepened during the on-site programme, through expert-led sessions, and interactive workshops focused on leadership development and personal agency. Practitioner talks will provide practical career insights, highlighting entry points and growth pathways within the diverse peace ecosystem.
Pillar 2: Engagement and Observation (The Immersion)
This pillar brings theory to life through direct immersion. You will engage with practitioners across the sustaining peace spectrum through site visits and discussions at diverse organizations. From UN agencies to grassroots NGOs and innovative social enterprises. Through these encounters, you will observe how commitments to peace translate into concrete action in different professional settings and sectors.
Pillar 3: Reflection and Self-Discovery (The Action)
Throughout the programme, you will be working in small, multidisciplinary learning groups that encourage reflection and dialogue across cultural and academic backgrounds. The programme culminates in a structured personal action-planning process, during which you will synthesize your experiences into a clear roadmap for your future career and community engagement.
Méthodologie
UNITAR applies a people-centred learning methodology that builds on participants’ existing knowledge and experience, as well as bridging academic theory and real-world application. The programme moves beyond passive instruction by integrating foundational knowledge, skills development, on-the-ground observation, and structured reflection.
At the core of our programme is a commitment to youth leadership and agency. By recognizing you as an agent of change, the programme empowers you to take ownership of your learning and development. The programme will also support you to cultivate the confidence and skills needed to move from feeling overwhelmed by global challenges to seeing yourself as a capable contributor to a diverse peace ecosystem.
The programme intentionally brings together participants from different countries, regions, and academic disciplines. This diversity enables you to explore how peace challenges and solutions vary across contexts while strengthening your intercultural competence.
Audience cible
The Peace in Action Study Tours are designed for students in their undergraduate or post-graduate studies, and recent graduates with 0–3 years of professional experience. While we welcome participants from traditional fields closer to the peace and security sector, such as political science and international relations, we actively encourage students from less conventional disciplines to reinforce the message that peacebuilding is relevant and applicable across all sectors.
If you are curious about how your skills and field of study connect to peace work, eager to gain international exposure, and ready to explore your place in the sustaining peace ecosystem, this programme is for you!
Informations supplémentaires
UNITAR will be responsible for the overall design, coordination, and implementation of the Peace in Action Study Tours. We will liaise with participants on a regular basis prior to the programme's implementation to ensure a smooth and flawless organization for everyone involved.
Once accepted, you are responsible for purchasing your own travel tickets to and from Geneva, booking accommodation, and applying for a visa to Switzerland (if required). Upon request UNITAR can issue invitation letters to support the visa process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1- What is included in the cost of the programme?
- Pre-visit online learning curriculum (approximately 10 hours) covering peacebuilding and changemaking fundamentals;
- Site visits to organizations across the sustaining peace spectrum, from UN bodies to grassroots NGOs and social enterprises;
- Expert-led sessions and interactive workshops on leadership and peacebuilding themes;
- Engagement with practitioners in their professional environments;
- Guided reflection tools and small multidisciplinary learning group sessions;
- Personal action plan development support;
- Access to an international network of peers, with opportunities for continued collaboration beyond the programme;
- Coffee breaks and lunches on programme days.
2- How much professional experience should I have to apply to the programme?
The programme is designed for graduate and post-graduate students, as well as recent graduates with 0–3 years of professional experience. If you are unsure whether you fit the profile, do not hesitate to reach out before applying.
3- I'm not studying political science or international relations. Is this programme still relevant for me?
Absolutely! In fact, we actively encourage students from diverse disciplines such as engineering, business, natural sciences, arts, technology and other fields to apply. The programme is built on the premise that peace requires professionals from all sectors, and your unique skills and perspectives are essential to the peace ecosystem.
4- Where will I be staying during the programme?
Accommodations are not included in the cost of the programme. Participants will be responsible for booking their own accommodation. Upon request, UNITAR will provide a list of suggested hotels and hostels for participants to reference.
5- Are there any scholarships available?
Unfortunately, at this moment UNITAR is unable to offer any scholarships for the programme. We hope to be able to provide them in the future. Should they become available, scholarship opportunities will be published on the event page. If you are applying for an external scholarship and would need a support letter, we would happily provide you with that.
6- If accepted, I will need a letter to support my visa application for Switzerland. Will UNITAR provide one?
Yes, UNITAR will provide a visa support letter. Applicants are responsible for the visa application process. In exceptional cases, UNITAR can support with the visa application process. This needs to be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
7- Will I get a certificate at the end of the programme?
Yes, all participants who attend at least 80% of the programme will receive a UNITAR certification.
8- What is the time commitment for the programme?
The programme consists of:
- Pre-visit online learning: Approximately 10 hours of self-paced curriculum (completed before arrival in Geneva)
- On-site programme: Five full days in Geneva (15–19 June 2026)
9- How do I apply to the programme?
UNITAR offers two modalities for participation:
- University partnerships: If your university partners with UNITAR, apply through your institution's study abroad or international programs office.
- Independent applications: Students from non-partner universities can apply directly on this page using the “Apply” button below.
10- How does the application process work?
When you click Apply, you will be asked to complete a short application form with four questions about yourself and your motivation. Following a selection process, UNITAR will contact all applicants to inform them of the outcome. Successful applicants will be directed to a registration page where payment of the programme fee confirms their enrolment.
11- Can my university create a partnership with UNITAR to bring a group of students?
Yes! UNITAR offers customized partnership models for universities interested in bringing cohorts of students to the Peace in Action Study Tours. For partnership inquiries, please contact peaceinaction [at] unitar.org (peaceinaction[at]unitar[dot]org).
12- I have more questions, who should I reach out to?
Please feel free to contact us with your inquiries through this email peaceinaction [at] unitar.org (peaceinaction[at]unitar[dot]org).