Register to participate in the May Event Series here.
A series of landmark events will be held during May to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the first collaboration between the United Nations University, Maastricht University and the MERIT Foundation, which led to the creation of UNU-MERIT.
Since that original collaboration, UNU-MERIT has become the UN’s go-to innovation institute, undertaking research and training in order to mobilise knowledge, education and policy and unlock the full potential of Comprehensive Innovation for Sustainable Development.
Based in Maastricht, UNU-MERIT works with a diverse range of organisations to help tackle the pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare that are the concern of the United Nations, its Peoples and the Member States. To acknowledge and celebrate the impact of this work, a major series of online and in-person events will be held during the week of 16-20 May 2022.
The May Event Series will underscore the importance of collaboration and partnership between UNU-MERIT and Maastricht University, and the institute’s other partners, including other UN agencies. Events will examine and discuss how the issues have evolved over the past fifteen years, address upcoming national and international challenges, and outline how UNU-MERIT’s new strategic ambitions will strengthen future policy responses.
Bartel Van de Walle, Director, UNU-MERIT: “As the world grapples with ever-serious challenges, UNU-MERIT is developing new strategies to help policymakers achieve their sustainable development goals. UNU-MERIT envisions a world where the social, economic and technological nature of innovation is well understood and well-governed; a world where societies champion well-being and sustainable development for all while using innovation as the key to change.”
Rianne Letschert, President of Maastricht University: “Our partnership with UNU-MERIT has enabled us to produce policy-relevant research and deliver world-class education. We will continue to work together as UNU-MERIT delivers on its ambitions to be the UN’s go-to institute for Comprehensive Innovation on Sustainable Development. The Institute offers a first-rate source of education and knowledge mobilisation as it teaches and enables the policymakers of tomorrow to make better decisions about our world.”
Programme
UNU-MERIT extends an open invitation to our flagship event ‘UNU-MERIT: 15 years celebration’ reflecting on the institute’s history and presenting our future agenda.’ This event will draw on expertise from across our peer and partner organisations to explore UNU-MERIT’s research agenda on Comprehensive Innovation for Sustainable Development (CI4SD). It will take place on Friday 20 May (16.00 – 18.00) at the Sint Janskerk in Maastricht and will be followed by a reception. You can register for the event here: Registration Form.
In addition to this symposium, we have an exciting week planned with various events at our own venues (UNU-MERIT and Belvedere) including a series of Research Seminars featuring keynote contributions from external partners, and discussions in relation to the core areas of our research agenda; events introducing the institute’s Capacity Development Office and launching a UNESCO Chair on Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development for Latin America; a Policy Action Lab event connecting UNU-MERIT’s research and education with wider societal challenges, and a Policy Research Panel during which we will discuss the outcomes of the Policy Action Lab together with policymakers and practitioners; an MPP reunion (Master’s programme in Public Policy and Human Development); and an online discussion with current and former PhD Fellows. Please register to the events through the provided links or the general registration form: Registration Form.