News

Tunisia, 2010: The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi leads to protests and uprisings across the Arab world. Grassroots movements overthrow dictators, both peacefully and violently, but also pave the way for an Islamist-secular divide, conflicts and civil wars, and economic and political uncertaint...

In early September 2015, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade & Development Cooperation together with the State Secretary for Security & Justice sent a letter to their House of Representatives about the European asylum system. The letter, says Dr. Katie Kuschminder, proposes a new policy bas...

Migration has been at the top of the political agenda all year. Yet the focus has too often been on curbing the flow of migrants, either with more aid or border controls. In this context, and drawing lessons from both East Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Katie Kuschminder was asked to pres...

Today marks 23 years of peace and democracy in Mozambique. The country has made impressive progress in economic growth, stability, regional cooperation and democratisation. While concerns remain over future development, efforts to build resilience have improved. Ayokunu Adedokun, PhD fellow, takes a...

Teachers are essential in preparing future generations: their work in educating future generations contribute directly to the development of their nations and forms children into citizens of the world. Thanks to several high-profile events, this year’s focus for the World Teacher Day is very much on...

This article is part of UNU’s “17 Days, 17 Goals” series, featuring research and commentary in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit, 25-27 September 2015 in New York City. Goal #10: Reduce inequality within and among countries A large share of the world’s population — those l...

In early September, Dr. Jinjing Li, a graduate of our PhD programme in 2011, returned to his alma mater. He was accompanying his wife, Jasmin Kientzel, who was here to (successfully) defend her PhD thesis. This smart couple now lives in Canberra, Australia, so it’s a rare honour to welcome the...

The ‘refugee crisis’ has only troubled faces. The war and destruction in Syria and Iraq make people put their destinies in backpacks. They leave all their belongings behind and hope for a new future in a faraway country mostly only known from the illusions created by TV and movies. Imagine what woul...

This article is part of UNU’s “17 Days, 17 Goals” series, featuring research and commentary in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit, 25-27 September 2015 in New York City. Halfway through our series we step back to reflect on the bigger picture, with a special focus on goal #...

Ahead of International Day of Peace, 21 September, fear and conflict are returning to Burundi, warns migration expert Dr. Sonja Fransen. Her research shows that conflict and forced migration have long-term effects — effects that trickle down to post-war generations. The International Day of Pe...

This article is part of UNU’s “17 Days, 17 Goals” series, featuring research and commentary in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit, 25-27 September 2015 in New York City. Goal #6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all For universal sa...

This article is part of UNU’s “17 Days, 17 Goals” series, featuring research and commentary in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit, 25-27 September 2015 in New York City. Goal #5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Women and girls represent roughly half ...

This article is part of UNU’s “17 Days, 17 Goals” series, featuring research and commentary in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit, 25-27 September 2015 in New York City. Goal #4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities fo...

This article is part of UNU’s “17 Days, 17 Goals” series, featuring research and commentary in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit, 25-27 September 2015 in New York City. Goal #1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere On 25th September, 15 years after the Millennium Summit...

Prof. Parvati Nair, UNU-GCM: United Nations University, Barcelona A child should not have to die to mobilise goverments into credible action. The photograph of three-year-old Alan Kurdi’s body washed ashore, which has mobilised international responses to the ongoing migration crisis in the Mediterra...

The Dutch development aid budget has fallen dramatically in recent years. In 2013 the Dutch Government stopped respecting the 0.7% norm, pushing through large budget cuts on development aid cooperation. The allocation of development aid is also more and more scrutinised, and one of the more controve...

Most people know very little about public procurement — yet it shapes everything from education to health to transport, and represents up to 30% of developing countries’ GDP. To find out more about this important but overlooked subject, Dr. Mindel van de Laar spoke to PhD fellow Ana Cris...

The path to doctoral funding is littered with Google searches, open calls, and endless talks with friends, colleagues, and contacts. So what’s the key to finding and securing funding? PhD fellow Ayla Bonfiglio shares her own backstory, along with her (proven) tips for success. The doctoral can...

Please note that on Tuesday 1 September 2015, UNU-MERIT and its School of Governance will officially move to a new address in Maastricht: UNU-MERIT Boschstraat 24 6211 AX Maastricht...

GLOBALLY each day almost 1000 children under 5 die from diarrhoea caused by contaminated water. More than 2.4 billion people – a third of all humanity – have no access to sanitation. And as populations grow, water is set to become a new source of danger, of conflict, given the rapid urban expansion ...