Background

The 2017-2018 RAUN, to be held from 10 May 2017 to 18 January 2018 in Bratislava/Vienna, Prague, and Vienna, will take place at a critical juncture as the world is faced with challenging times of conflicts around the world, poverty, inequality, lack of opportunities, and environmental issues, among others. These challenges pose a major threat to everyone, especially women and girls as they continue to suffer inequlity, discrimination and violence in every part of the world and in every system.
According to the United Nations, gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

Objectives

  • To provide a platform for young scholars to engage in a dialogue with UN, government and civil society experts on the themes of the UN agenda;
  • To promote innovative approaches and initiatives for advancing the youth empowerment agenda at national, regional and global levels;  
  • To gain and share knowledge on achieving equality and human rights for women and girls;
  •  To produce recommendations for fostering a greater role of women and girls in the advancement of global peace and security;
  • To provide a platform for young scholars to network, connect, and share life and professional experiences in an interconnected world.

Format

The 2017-2018 will feature the following 3 sessions, each lasting for three (3) days:
  • Bratislava/Vienna: 10-12 May 2017  
  • Prague: 4-6 September 2017
  •  Vienna: 16-18 January 2018 (subject to change)
The program will combine special lectures and interactive workshops with practical hands-on-research experiences. The special lectures and workshops are conducted by high-ranking experts and practitioners who share their experience with participants in an informal setting.

About Applicants

The program is open to Masters and PhD students from academic fields related to international affairs, inter alia international relations, law, economics, environmental sciences, international development, and related fields.
Applicants are required to:
  • have strong discipline, eagerness to learn, cultural openness, and other personality traits needed to perform with excellence in an international and multi-disciplinary environment.
  • be enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program,
  • have at least basic knowledge of and interest in the UN system and topics of the RAUN,
  • have very good knowledge of English (written and spoken) and good knowledge in writing academic papers,
  • be able and willing to work and learn in a multinational and multicultural group,
  • be between 21 and 28 years of age by the time of applying,
  • be studying at a University based in one of the partner countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia),
  • be able to combine the Academy’s program with their studies, and
  • be able to attend all three sessions.

Expected Outcomes

The outcome will be findings of research projects conducted during the program which will include recommendations for improving women situation in the above topics. The findings will be presented at a high level conference to be convened in Vienna under the auspice of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in January 2018.