The United Nations University (UNU) is the
academic arm of the United Nations. It bridges the academic world and the United Nations system. Its
goal is to develop sustainable solutions for current and future problems of
humankind in all aspects of life. Through a problem-oriented and
interdisciplinary approach it aims at teaching, applied research and education
on a global scale. UNU was founded in 1973 as an autonomous organ of the United
Nations General Assembly. The University comprises headquarters in Tokyo, Japan,
and more than a dozen Institutes and Programmes worldwide.
UNU fosters growing partnership with University of the Free State in South Africa
left - right: Mr. Andries Jordaan, Ms. Jessica Johmann, Dr. Neil Heideman, Prof. Dr. Jakob Rhyner, Ms. Annette Weyers, Prof. Matiland Seaman.
From 20 to 21 October 2011, a delegation from the United Nations University Vice Rectorate in Europe (UNU-ViE) visited the University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa. The delegation, including Professor Jakob Rhyner, UNU Vice Rector in Europe/Director of UNU-EHS, discussed
future collaborations between the two institutions and met with the national
disaster management head and team of South Africa. In addition, a guest
lecture on the topic of “Human Security in Africa” was delivered.
UNU-ViE and UFS representatives also discussed the UNU Priority Africa initiative and therein the development of a
twinning concept, which implies the establishment of additional Twin Institutes in transitional and developing countries with the aim to support
knowledge creation with a strong emphasis on home-grown and participatory “made-to-fit”
solutions.
Professor Rhyner was invited as guest of honour to the
year-end celebrations of the UFS-Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC) that took place on 21 October 20111. In his opening speech, he appreciated the
work that had been carried out by both parties in the past and said he was looking forward
to engaging into new activities and intensify ongoing ones.
Background
The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural
Sciences, and DiMTEC in particular, have been collaborating with UNU on a number of joint
initiatives and research projects in order to create a firm foundation for the
two universities to strengthen their cooperative efforts in the areas of common
interest.
