UNITAR’s 2nd International Research Conference Highlights EUt+ Academic Partnership, Brussels 3–4 Dec 2024

A key focus was the establishment of groundbreaking partnerships between universities and international organisations to design innovative training and educational programmes. These initiatives align with the UN Global Pact for the Future and emphasize the combination of academic expertise and hands-on skills to build resilience and promote peacebuilding efforts.

EUt+ partners were prominent on the agenda with Dr Sylvia Gavigan delivering inaugural speech on connecting EUt+ within TU Dublin. We also led a panel discussion, delivered keynote speeches and presented various papers from individuals in the ECT Lab and the EUt+ ELaRA, EUtINN and data science research groups.

The conference explored emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and their role in enhancing climate adaptation strategies while promoting responsible, inclusive, and ethical approaches to education. Key takeaways included:

• Ensure inclusive and accessible education
• Strengthen local community engagement to drive climate resilience.
• Integrate AI and emerging technologies into climate security and peacebuilding training.
• Promote principles of the UN Global Pact for the Future to foster global citizenship.

UNITAR acknowledged or EUt+ partners in shaping this collaborative effort for a sustainable future. Other partner connections were also made thanks to the support of Çağ Üniversitesi, Oxford Brookes University , University of Derby , World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) , Diplomats without Borders , INA, I.P. and Irish Economic Association.