United Nations Academic Impact
The United Nations Academic Impact, also known by its acronym UNAI, is a United Nations initiative to align institutions of higher education, scholarship and research with the United Nations and with each other. In the words of former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: "The Academic Impact aims to generate a global movement of minds to promote a new culture of intellectual social responsibility. It is animated by a commitment to certain bedrock principles. Among them: freedom of inquiry, opinion and speech; educational opportunity for all; global citizenship; sustainability; and dialogue." Furthermore UNAI aims to  support the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals focusing on the reciprocal relationship between education and sustainable development. History. The initiative was formally launched on 18 November 2010 by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at UN Headquarters in New York City. On this occasion, he outlined the purpose of UNAI: "By sharing ideas, across borders and disciplines, we can find solutions to the interconnected problems that cause so much suffering. Climate change is not just an environmental threat; it is closely tied to poverty. Poverty is not just about jobs, it is directly related to food security. Food  security affects health. Health affects generations of children. Children hold the key to our future. And education can lead to progress on all these fronts." As of July 2017, more than 1,000 institutions in over 120 countries and some 40 academic networks are members of the initiative. The 10 UNAI principles. Academic Impact is informed by a commitment to support and advance ten basic principles: In action. Participating institutions are expected to show their support of one of the 10 UNAI principles by undertaking one activity per year which tangibly supports and furthers the realization of those principles. Examples include  lectures, publications, online activities and especially events that promote intercultural dialogue and the international exchange of ideas. UNAI established various communication channels. In order to get in contact and intensify dialogue with academia around the world UNAI uses social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. UNAI provides a collaborative platform where members can learn from each other and enhance each other’s skills and tools. UNAI provides information on UN activities and provides guidance on how students, professors and researchers can apply their knowledge to the work of the UN and make a difference in their classrooms, communities and campuses . UNAI uses a number of tools to communicate with its members ranging from social media, including Google hangouts, Twitter town halls and Facebook Live interviews, webinars, podcasts, the publication of research, reports and articles on areas of research that can advance the achievement of the SDGs, newsletters and events such as panel discussions, conferences, workshops, film screenings, and briefings. UNAI also shares information on a wide variety of awards, fellowships, scholarships and contest for students, researchers and academics Ten UNAI members have been designated hubs for each one of the principles. List of participating institutions. For a list of participating  institutions, see: https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/unai_members_list_july_2021.pdf. Literature. For more information see the magazine "UN Chronicle", Vol XLVII, Nr. 3, 2010 and the textbook ""Pathways to Peace—for building a culture of peace"" published by J. F. Oberlin University.