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.
