Our Vision

The working group’s vision is to promote the formation of an interdisciplinary, UN-focused field of studies.

In support of the ACUNS mission we wish to build a strong UN Studies community that takes UN research and teaching to the next level – “the next generation” of UN Studies.

Our Objectives

First, we aim to create an intellectual foundation for a future field of UN studies. This ideational basis will be realized:

• by developing a concept of UN Studies including key contents and features
• by advancing theory-building and developing innovative methods for research and teaching. 

Second, we aim to set in motion a process of institutionalization of the next generation of UN Studies

• by building structures for collaboration, communication and knowledge-sharing
• by realizing concrete projects.

In the long run, UNSA considers an integrated education program vital to provide for a teaching framework for latest interdisciplinary research findings.Developing interdisciplinary curricula is, however, costly in terms of time and engagement, so for UN Studies to succeed, UNSA aims to raise public awareness about the importance of such a field of study.

Our Activities and Working Procedures

• We organize online and phone conferences to discuss matters related to the concept of UN Studies (UNSA Dialogues) or other key activities such as our Journal on International Organization Studies or the UN Studies Knowledge Base project. These conferences are open to all working group members and are announced via newsletter and on our portal.
• Furthermore, we regularly organize seminars and workshops, where members get a chance to meet in person and discuss UN Studies-related issues.
• In addition to our joint activities, our members are also engage independently for a better understanding of the United Nations and for the identification of problems that affect people from all over the world.

Bill Miller, for example, moderates face-to-face interviews with UN officials on TV.

Example interview with Bettina Luescher, the UN World Food Program Spokesman

Key Questions:

• What is the UN Food Program doing to help 90 000 000 people around the world to receive sufficient food on a daily basis?

• What can people all around the world do to be involved in that program?

More interviews can be seen here.

More information about us can be found in our full mission statement.

Learn more about our activities.