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

This International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, discover how UNU-CPR is advancing gender equality by integrating gender perspectives into our research and policy work. #16Days #NoExcuse While gender affects everyone, its impact is particularly acute for women, girls and marginalized groups, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, calling for the international community to implement gender-responsive policies and practices. The growing global focus on gender-responsive policies underscores the urgency of addressing these disparities. At UNU-CPR, we explore the intersection of gender with innovation, multilateralism, global security, and development across our three research pillars. Learn more about our work here: https://unu.edu/cpr/gender

Dr. Erica Gaston, Head of the Conflict Prevention and Sustaining Peace Programme at UNU-CPR, recently introduced "Assembly for Peace", a user-friendly digital handbook on the UN General Assembly's Charter-based powers and its past practice on peace and security, as part of the UN Dag Hammarskjöld Library's Insight Series: Publication Talks. The publication, launched in September 2024, reviews the Assembly’s role amid rising geopolitical tensions and Security Council gridlock, offering case studies and recommendations to enhance collaboration with the Security Council. The handbook, produced by UNU-CPR for the Office of the President of the General Assembly, United Nations, is the first comprehensive resource of its kind. It serves as a valuable tool for scholars, policymakers and educators studying the UN’s peace and security mechanisms. Dr. Gaston acknowledged the crucial support of the Dag Hammarskjöld Library in shaping this publication and advancing understanding of the Assembly's peacebuilding potential. Watch the full presentation here: https://lnkd.in/gMhpGcq2

In the latest edition of the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs Podcast series "Ethical Articles", Dr. Eleonore Fournier-Tombs, Head of Anticipatory Action and Innovation at UNU-CPR, reads her article on the evolving roles of agentic AI in formal and informal political deliberations, considering its potential benefits, ethical challenges and implications for human agency in shaping societal decisions. "As adoption of agentic AI increases, it is critical for researchers and policymakers to explore the ways in which these autonomous AI systems can influence our ideas and political decisions, and then agree on ethical principles to inform AI governance." Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eE7cntSk

How is AI shaping the deliberation process and what can be done to ensure this technology supports rather than undermines human judgement? A UNU-CPR blog considers how global governance frameworks can prioritize trust and accountability while mitigating the risks of disinformation: https://lnkd.in/eJ92mnR2

What do the dilemmas surrounding organized crime and trafficking in Mali's gold sector reveal about the challenges of improving multilateral efforts to counter the negative impacts of transnational organized crime? A UNU-CPR blog argues for greater consideration of local perspectives to generate nuanced regulatory strategies that consider governance and development needs: https://lnkd.in/eFWVJSD8

The threat posed by transnational organized crime is greater than ever. Here's how the UN can develop a global strategy to elevate the issue within the UN system and international policymaking: https://lnkd.in/egyjxeCF

World Children’s Day is an opportunity to advocate for and promote children's rights today in order to build a better world for tomorrow. 2015 saw the adoption of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security (#YPS), which recognized the important and positive contribution of youth to the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security.   However, the promise and commitments of this YPS have yet to be fully met.   At UNU-CPR, research is underway for our upcoming Thematic Review on the YPS agenda. As part of this research, Imane Karimou and Luisa Kern visited Guinea, where they explored how UN Peacebuilding Fund-supported projects in the country are supporting youth engagement and action on YPS.   Follow the Thematic Review’s progress here: https://lnkd.in/e3nTTXwB Fonds pour la Consolidation de la Paix - PBF Guinée UNFPA West and Central Africa United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) UNFPA WCARO | West and Central Africa UNICEF

AI agents have been used in both useful and harmful ways on social media for nearly a decade. Today, however, they are much more convincing, versatile and easy to create. In decision-making processes, they run the risk of manipulating discussion. Head of Anticipatory Action and Innovation at UNU-CPR, Eleonore Fournier-Tombs, outlines some of the key uses and ethical concerns for each type of AI agent in a blog for Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs: https://lnkd.in/eE7cntSk

UNU-CPR Director David Passarelli and Head of Conflict Prevention and Sustaining Peace Erica Gaston had the privilege of meeting with H. E. Philemon Yang, President of the General Assembly at its 79th Session. The discussion centred on "Assembly for Peace", a handbook that aims to enhance the UN General Assembly's engagement in peace and security efforts, produced by UNU-CPR for the Office of the President of the General Assembly, United Nations. Amid rising geopolitical tensions and increased paralysis in the Security Council, the General Assembly’s role in peace and security has gained renewed attention. The Handbook offers a review of the Assembly's past practice, case studies of some of the most important examples of General Assembly action, and recommendations on how Member States could foster deeper interaction with the Security Council in the future. Access "Assembly for Peace" here: https://lnkd.in/e_6mEsfg The discussion also addressed the revitalization agenda of the General Assembly and ongoing debates on reforming the international financial architecture.

"Entirely fabricated yet hyper-realistic, this content undermines trust in media and the authenticity of information, particularly in politics and social discourse." A UNU-CPR blog considers the risks of AI manipulating decision-making, and proposes accountability mechanisms and tools for creating effective governance frameworks: https://lnkd.in/eJ92mnR2