About the Regional Academy
General background
The Regional Academy on the United Nations (RAUN) is an international, multi-disciplinary education program which trains young scholars in issues related to the United Nations and international cooperation. RAUN’s aim is to provide participants with in-depth knowledge about the UN and its functions, to raise their cultural awareness and openness, and to offer a forum for networking and academic exchange.
The Academy follows a unique format combining lectures and workshops with practical hands-on-experiences. The program consists of three sessions per academic year starting in May until January. The sessions take place in different participating countries and include lectures and interactive workshops on various topics of relevance. All lectures are given by high-ranking experts and practitioners who also share their rich experience with participants in an informal setting.
Apart from their course-work during the sessions, participants work on research projects in cooperation with different UN Agencies and other international organizations allowing them to contribute in finding innovative solutions to contemporary global challenges. Through their group work and social activities, participants can form strong networks with their like-minded peers and experts from various fields in an environment that fosters diversity, tolerance, cultural learning, and understanding. During the program, students get the opportunity to experience first-hand the UN institutions in Vienna and international organizations in other countries allowing them to interact directly with experts, practitioners, and diplomats.
The Academy follows a unique format combining lectures and workshops with practical hands-on-experiences. The program consists of three sessions per academic year starting in May until January. The sessions take place in different participating countries and include lectures and interactive workshops on various topics of relevance. All lectures are given by high-ranking experts and practitioners who also share their rich experience with participants in an informal setting.
Apart from their course-work during the sessions, participants work on research projects in cooperation with different UN Agencies and other international organizations allowing them to contribute in finding innovative solutions to contemporary global challenges. Through their group work and social activities, participants can form strong networks with their like-minded peers and experts from various fields in an environment that fosters diversity, tolerance, cultural learning, and understanding. During the program, students get the opportunity to experience first-hand the UN institutions in Vienna and international organizations in other countries allowing them to interact directly with experts, practitioners, and diplomats.
About the participants
The program is open to Master and PhD students (or equivalent degrees) from all academic fields who are interested in topics related to international cooperation, development, and the work of international organizations. Applicants should be currently enrolled at a university in one of our partner countries (AT, SK, PL, CZ, HU, SL, DE, IT). Exceptionally, we also accept applications from students who are residing in other countries in Europe. Eligible candidates are invited to an interview in which they are assessed based on their competences and interest in the United Nation system, their research experience, and their personality. Applicants are required to show strong discipline, eagerness to learn, cultural openness, and other personality traits needed to perform with excellence in an international and multi-disciplinary environment
Our history
The Regional Academy was established in January 2012 in Vienna, Austria, in close collaboration with the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS), the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna, the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), the Czech United Nations Association, as well as different partner universities, such as the University of Economics in Prague (CZ) and the University of Szeged (HU). Other partners include The Hague Institute for Global Justice, University of Vienna, Diplomatic Academy Vienna, Central European University Budapest, Webster University Vienna, and Comenius University Bratislava, among others.
Since its creation, RAUN has trained over 200 young scholars from more than 40 countries who have continued their endeavors in academia, government institutions, the UN system and other international organizations. The Academy was endorsed by the United Nations Secretariat through the Former UN Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, and the United Nations Information Service (UNIS Vienna) as well as by the Hague Institute for Global Justice and by the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.
Since its creation, RAUN has trained over 200 young scholars from more than 40 countries who have continued their endeavors in academia, government institutions, the UN system and other international organizations. The Academy was endorsed by the United Nations Secretariat through the Former UN Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, and the United Nations Information Service (UNIS Vienna) as well as by the Hague Institute for Global Justice and by the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.