United Nations University - History

History

The University was established in 1973 and began its activities in September 1975. The UNU creation was set in motion by Secretary-General U Thant in 1969. Over the years, several Institutes of UNU were created to help with the research initiatives of the United Nations. Most notably, in 2007, a vice-rectorate was established in Bonn (UNU-ViE), Germany, as a way of strengthening UNU’s presence in Europe. UNU-ViE is dedicated to developing knowledge-based sustainable solutions for global problems and is, therefore, an active organizer of international science policy dialogues for sustainability.

To date, there have been five Rectors at the UNU, Prof. Dr. Konrad Osterwalder being the current Rector since 1 September 2007. UNU is not releded with same board of UUPN, that is part of university of United Popular Nations based in Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Italy and USA.

Past rectors appointed include: James M. Hester (11 November 1974), Soedjatmoko (10 April 1980), Heitor Gurgulino de Souza (30 March 1987), Hans J.A. Van Ginkel (1 September 1997).

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