Anouk Kelhout, Liv Angerer, Melissa Dachrodt and Sophia Healy from the CHARM-EU international Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability have been selected to participate in the prestigious 2023 Regional Academy for United Nations (RAUN).

CHARM-EU student Melissa Dachrodt says: I applied for the program because it offers the opportunity to engage in impactful research that bridges the gap between science and policy. Over the course of the next months, I am eager to learn from high-ranking experts and other students who share similar passions as well as contribute to intercultural cooperation in research.

Together with Liv Angerer she will take part in part in the UN program that runs from September 2023 to April 2024 with other Master’s and PhD students.

I hope to develop myself as a researcher, get the chance to carry out impactful research, collaborate with like-minded colleagues, and gain experience working at the interface between science and policy, Liv Angerer says.

 

RAUN 2023: Building Resilience, Improving Crisis Management, and Strengthening Governance

The 2023 Regional Academy program will focus on exploring solutions to build resilience, improve crisis management, and strengthen the governance of global commons and global public goods that deliver equitably and sustainably for all.

The program will focus on exploring solutions to build resilience, improve crisis management, and strengthen the governance of global commons and global public goods that deliver equitably and sustainably for all. This commitment aligns with the review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2023 and the forthcoming United Nations Summit of the Future in 2024.

One of the key drivers behind effective crisis management is robust research, data, and information infrastructures. The RAUN 2023 participants will be at the forefront of ongoing global discussions, contributing new perspectives and best practice cases that can inform policy-making and address today’s most pressing challenges.

The seven-month-long RAUN program consists of two in-person sessions and two online sessions, each offering a rich curriculum of lectures and workshops directly related to the program’s theme for the year.

Participants will have the opportunity to select specific topics suggested by the UN or partner organizations. Once topics are chosen, participants will be grouped into small teams of 3 to 4 members to work collaboratively on their selected topic.

As a culmination of their efforts, participants will be required to submit a policy brief/paper of 12 to 15 pages. This document will draw from desk research and insights gained through discussions with experts from renowned institutions such as the UN, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Ban Ki-Moon Centre for Global Citizens.

An Academy Rooted in Experience

The RAUN Academy offers a unique learning format that combines lectures, interactive workshops, and hands-on research experience. Two in-person sessions and multiple online sessions throughout the academic year provide participants with ample opportunities to learn from high-ranking experts and practitioners who share their insights.

Beyond the classroom, participants will engage in research projects in collaboration with UN organizations and other international bodies. Through these group projects, participants refine their research skills and build strong networks with peers, academics, and experts from diverse fields.

Throughout the program, participants also have the exceptional opportunity to visit UN institutions in Vienna. The results of their research projects will culminate in presentations during the final RAUN session at the UN Headquarters in Vienna in April 2024. At the conclusion of the program, participants receive certificates of successful completion of the Academy.