United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR)

UNU-CPR welcomes Nicole Goldin, PhD to Head its Equitable Development pillar. Nicole brings an applied, solutions-oriented perspective, informed by her experience across public, private and academic sectors, and her work on multilateral, national and local levels.   As Head of Equitable Development at UNU-CPR, she will drive the pillar’s insights, convenings and research in economic development cooperation, and inclusive growth.

Women are more pessimistic about the global future than men are, the Atlantic Council finds in its Global Foresight 2025 Survey, with expert input from Nicole Goldin, PhD, Head of Equitable Development at UNU-CPR. The survey results found that women had a bleaker outlook on the coming decade than men, particularly regarding conflict, their rights and U.S. influence. For instance, they were more likely to predict the use of nuclear weapons and a democratic depression. Dr. Goldin explained that this pessimism stems from persistent inequalities in military, economic and political representation, compounded with "the challenges of child or family care and pay gaps, which limit the work and earnings of many women, and worsening domestic and gender-based violence, which devastates women’s lives in all dimensions." Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eZamZ8H2

The emergence of agentic AI – systems that can make decisions and take actions with minimal human input – is impacting the technopolitical landscape, reshaping how nations interact and opening up new opportunities for geopolitical influence, with countries and interest groups competing to control political narratives and sway public opinion. Mark Purdy, in the South China Morning Post SCMP, draws on the research of Eleonore Fournier-Tombs, Head of Anticipatory Action and Innovation at UNU-CPR, who explores the potential of agentic AI to transform political deliberations. Fournier-Tombs argues that these systems could make large-scale discussions easier, break down language barriers and help steer participants toward clearer, more informed conclusions. But, she also warns that there are risks: agentic AI could lead to “ethical grey zones” by misrepresenting viewpoints, or worse, injecting harmful or misleading content into deliberations. For more, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eRedqpnQ

Welcome to UNU-CPR Insights, a newsletter featuring research and expert analysis on critical challenges facing the multilateral system.   This month's edition features future-oriented policymaking at the United Nations, the 2025 World Bank Shareholding Review and implementing the Youth, Peace and Security agenda.   Read more and stay informed. 👇

At the 63rd Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD63) side event “The Role of Living Wages to Advance Social Justice”, co-hosted by the United Nations Global Compact and the World Benchmarking Alliance, Dr. Nicole Goldin, PhD, Head of Equitable Development at UNU-CPR, addressed the UN’s role in setting global norms for equitable development and proposed avenues to integrate living wage promotion into the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) and other UN processes. She emphasized that living wages can catalyze inclusive growth, poverty reduction and economic progress, both within and between countries. From a governance perspective, she suggested aligning living wage promotion to broader decent work and pay equity agendas, and linking the WSSD to other initiatives and multilateral processes including the SDGs and Pact for the Future commitments concerning: 👉 Strengthening social cohesion (Action 6); 👉 Building innovation capacities in developing countries (Action 29); and 👉 Enhancing economic opportunities for young people (Action 30). She also spoke of links to the Financing for Development governance processes leading up to June’s FfD4 in Seville, including entry points in the zero draft agenda being discussed this week at the Third PrepCom including domestic resource mobilization and aligning private business for sustainable development. Dr. Goldin noted opportunities in UN supported ESG initiatives and other multilateral processes such as the G20, as well as how the living wage could complement or be a parallel consideration in poverty lines discussions. International Labour Organization, WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development, IDH, and Shift Project.

Amid stalled growth, debt, conflict, climate impact, and geopolitical fragmentation the deliberations underway at #Fin4dev #UNDESA are already underscoring why economic development cooperation, reforming the international financial architecture, improving national and multilateral governance and capital mobilization are core to our Equitable Development agenda at United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR) #Internationalfinancialarchitecture #developmentfinance #inclusivegrowth #SDGs #multilateralism https://lnkd.in/dPGgBXgn

On 18 February, UNU-CPR Senior Researcher Michael Franczak will discuss mobilizing global resources for climate resilience, based on his newly published white paper, "Innovative Finance to Ensure Stability in the Face of Adverse Climate Change Impacts". He will be joined by co-author Dr. Koko Warner of Perry World House (PWH) and IOM - UN Migration. The white paper, produced for The Wharton School’s Initiative on Financial Policy and Regulation (WIFPR) and PWH, explores how countries can effectively deploy finance for climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience, while considering multilateral solutions. The online discussion will be introduced by PWH Deputy Director Michael Weisberg and moderated by WIFPR Director Itay Goldstein, with time for audience questions. 🗓️ Tuesday, 18 February, 2025 🕛 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM EST 📍 Online Register to attend here: https://lnkd.in/e6bs74VY Access the white paper here: https://lnkd.in/eEZbda8e

UNU-CPR welcomes Michael Franczak as Senior Researcher in Multilateralism and Global Governance, specializing in governance innovation and climate and development finance. Michael will contribute to UNU-CPR's work in exploring innovative global governance models, particularly in helping drive a new "Global Governance Innovation" initiative to address governance gaps by identifying innovative practices that can be extended to foster cooperation on new global challenges – from the management of critical minerals to digital cooperation.

In his new book Political Automation, UNU-CPR Senior Fellow Eduardo Zachary Albrecht examines how political systems can adapt to the rise of AI in government decision-making.   Beyond an analysis of the expanding role of technology in public policy, the book explores how AI is redistributing power across borders and challenging traditional political structures.   Albrecht proposes innovative governance frameworks that ensure citizen representation and accountability in the face of increasingly automated political decisions, inviting readers to become active participants in shaping a future where technology and democratic ideals coexist.   Access Political Automation: An Introduction to AI in Government and Its Impact on Citizens here: https://lnkd.in/e8rz34SN

The process to appoint a Special Envoy for Future Generations is now underway at the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. Daouia Chalali offers recommendations for the role, drawing on past efforts and lessons learned: 👉 A forward-looking approach to governance with a proven ability to navigate complex international and multilateral settings is crucial. 👉 Being a fearless advocate for the interests of future generations. 👉 An expert in matters related to future generations. 👉 The ability to connect to Member States globally. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/e89s4Bg6