The United Nations University (UNU) is the academic arm of the United Nations (UN). It
bridges the academic world and the UN 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 applied research and education on a global scale. UNU was founded in
1973 and is an autonomous organ of the UN General Assembly. The
University comprises headquarters Tokyo, Japan, and more than a dozen Institutes
and Programmes worldwide.
In 2005, the Munich Re Foundation entered into a partnership with the
United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security
(UNU-EHS) to support and initiate policy relevant research on social
vulnerability. Together we have established a Chair on Social
Vulnerability at UNU-EHS.
The Summer Academy combines academic research with practical exercises. Its main objectives are steep learning curves, illuminating insights and thinking in new terms.
Special attention is given to indigenous perceptions, participatory approaches and community-based coping practices to detect and reduce vulnerability. The goal is to develop a cutting-edge research and policy implementation agenda on social vulnerability, and to provide a platform for dialogue between scientists, established experts and UN representatives.
UNU-EHS and
the Munich Re Foundation invite qualified PhD students to apply for the 2012
Summer Academy “From Social Vulnerability to Resilience: Measuring Progress
toward Disaster Risk Reduction”. The
seventh Summer Academy will take place 1-7 July 2012 in Munich, Germany.
Please submit your application viano later than 31 January 2012.
The fifth Social Vulnerability Bulletin provides an update on the activities of the UNU-EHS/MRF Chair on Social Vulnerability. Apart from reporting on this year´s Summer Academy on Climate Change and Fragile States, the bulletin features UNU-EHS publications on social vulnerability and delivers insights into the professional career of former Summer Academy participants.
