A reinforced partnership between the academic world, international organisations and the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (FDFA) for an active Swiss role in the United Nations

 
The Academic Platform Switzerland UN (formerly known as UNO Academia) has been developed at the initiative of the Political Division III of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). It aims to build a Swiss research network relating to questions of the United Nations Organisation (UNO). The network strives to stimulate the exchange of information, especially through the organisation of an annual conference, and to promote the cooperation between academics, international organisations (with a seat in Switzerland) and the FDFA in domains related to the UN.
 
The Academic Platform Switzerland UN enables existing partnerships to be consolidated and best utilize their potential synergies in order to develop more dynamic research projects on international organisations and the UN, especially in domains which are of particular importance to Switzerland and the international organisations located there. By improving the quality of research conditions, the Academic Platform Switzerland UN reinforces the international attractiveness of Geneva and maintains its function as an important platform for multilateral and international cooperation.
 
The Academic Platform Switzerland UN aims to:

  • Create a value-added and increased flux of information, especially by better integrating civil society,

  • Foster exchanges between academics and diplomats. Academic institutions are important partners in their function as transmitters of knowledge and can complement the work done by the FDFA,

  • Promote the active role of Switzerland in the UN (by providing expertise),

  • Engage young Swiss candidates (by providing information about future job opportunities).

In order to be well-equipped to realise these objectives, the Academic Platform Switzerland UN is permanently in touch with academics from all Swiss universities and has the following bodies and instruments at its disposal:
  • A scientific Secretariat, acting as administrative focal point to reinforce the above mentioned synergies, which is situated at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. It provides a wide variety of services and engages in the exchange of information on a very high level.
  • A website as a platform for the exchange of scientific works on UN-related topics, Swiss activities in the UN and activities of the research network.
  • An annual conference where academics, distinguished actors of the UN-system and Swiss politicians contribute in deepening the ongoing debates on the UN and its activities.
  • A Council, acting as the principal driving force of the research network.
  • Expertises, which are short presentations of specialists on current UN-related issues. The short presentations are followed by a debate between the orator and the public.