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Training the next generation of internationalists!
The Regional Academy on the United Nations is a valuable multicultural educational
initiative to train an emerging generation of young scholars in issues of importance to the
United Nations. With its program of meetings in several countries, and its flexible multi-
national teams of students working together to address challenges for global governance,
the Regional Academy offers a model of how to encourage collective solutions to world
problems.
I congratulate the founders and the participants of the RAUN for their efforts. I hope to
see many of them taking on important roles for international cooperation in their future
careers.
Jan Eliasson, UN Deputy Secretary General
Jan Eliasson, UN Deputy Secretary General
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GENERAL
DESCRIPTION
The Regional Academy on the United Nations (RAUN) was launched in January
2012 in Vienna, Austria. RAUN was established by the Academic Council on
United Nations System (ACUNS) in close collaboration with United Nations
Information Service (UNIS) Vienna, the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty
Organization (CTBTO), Czech United Nations Association, and partner
universities – University of Economics Prague, University of Szeged. Other partner
universities include University of Vienna, Diplomatic Academy Vienna, Webster
University Vienna, Faculty of Law of the University of Belgrade in Serbia, and the
Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences of Comenius University in Slovakia.
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RAUN was endorsed by the United Nations Secretariat through the Deputy
Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson in December 2013.
AIM
RAUN’s aim is to train young scholars in issues related to the United Nations and international system while developing their academic research writing in English. In doing so, young scholars are enabled to contribute to finding solutions to contemporary global challenges.
RAUN gives participants a unique opportunity to develop their academic research writing in English and learn firsthand about the work and values of the United Nations through practical lectures and workshops on current issues conducted by experts and high level UN and government officials. Participants are also able, through group work and social activities, to create strong networks with their like-minded peers and experts from various fields in an environment that fosters diversity, tolerance, cultural learning and understanding.
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STRUCTURE
RAUN is a mobile academy consisting of three sessions per year starting in April/May until January. The program, which takes place in in all participating countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia and Austria) on a rotation basis, offers students from a chance to attend lecture sessions covering a wide range of United Nations’ work. These lectures are given by high-ranking experts and practitioners, who share their rich experience with participants.
In addition, students get some opportunities to visit United Nations institutions in Vienna which enables them to talk directly to experts and practitioners there. Throughout the program participants work in groups of different nationalities and from interdisciplinary academic fields on topics including human rights, international security, international development, international law, and nuclear issues.
At the last session which takes place at the UN Head Quarters in Vienna, participants present the outcome of their research projects, including recommendations, to a group of jury experts who, after having read them in advance, evaluate the content, the relevance/usefulness to the current discourse, the strength and coherence of the argument, and the academic contribution as well as oral their presentations.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS FROM AUSTRIA
MAIN PROJECT
Applicants from the University of Vienna should note that participation conditions, including fees, may be subject to change.
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KEY INFORMATION
MAIN PROJECT
THEME
MAIN PROJECT THEMES
During the program, students write research projects on the following categories which will are shaped to suit their interest and that of the agencies: nuclear-related topics (e.g., nuclear safety and disarmament); international security (e.g., terrorism, civil war, etc.); human rights (e.g., refugees and migrations, rights of minorities; human trafficking); international development (e.g.: development in post-conflict societies, MDGs and SDGs); the UN in the 21st century (e.g.: UN role in maintaining peace and security, UN reforms, R2P, etc.). At the academy’s last session, students are awarded certificates of successful completion.
ABOOUT PARTICIPANTS
The program is open for Masters, and PhD students from academic fields related
to international affairs such as international relations, law, economics,
environment, international development, and related fields. Applicants are chosen
based on merit through an interview based selection process focusing on their
First session in Prague: 27 – 30 April, 2015 - Globalization, regionalization, and multilateral diplomacy
Second session in Szeged: 15-18 September, 2015 - Challenges to human rights:
migration, climate change, and terrorism
Third and final session in Venues: 12-15 January, 2016 – Peace and security and Vienna-based institutions
Target group: Masters and PhD students
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knowledge and interest in the United Nations and the world system, experience in
research writing, and individual sets of values that are needed to perform with
excellence in a multinational and multicultural group.
Six to eight students from each country (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary,
Poland, Slovakia and Serbia) will be chosen to participate in the program. Those
who make an outstanding contribution increase their chances of obtaining
internships at the UN Office in Vienna, as well as an opportunity to publish
successful research projects.
ELIGIBILITY & REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR APPLICANTS
Participants are required to fulfill the following criteria:
All applicants are required to send the following documents by March 8
Be enrolled in a Masters or PhD program in one of RAUN-related fields
Have at least basic knowledge of and interest in the UN system and topics of the RAUN program
Very good knowledge of English (written and spoken) and at good knowledge in writing academic papers
Be able and willing to work and learn in a multinational and multicultural group
Be between 21 and 28 years of age
Be studying in a University based in one of the partner countries (AT, CZ, HU, SK, SR)
Be able to combine the Academy’s program with their studies
BE ABLE TO ATTEND ALL THREE SESSIONS
Latest CV (one to two pages) in English with photo
Motivation letter (one page) in English
Completed expression of interest form
Sample of written academic paper (preferably in English but not limited to
it). This could be a BA or MA thesis, a module paper, a paper submitted
for a conference, a proposal for a MA or PhD thesis, etc.
University grades
A reference letter from a professor
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Note: it is preferred that all documents are put together in one single PDF file. But this is not a requirement.
COST OF THE PROGRAM
A non-refundable registration fee of 100€ is required from selected students.
Participants also need to cover all their costs of transportation to and from
sessions, accommodation and meals unless stated otherwise. Some sending
universities provide funding for some or all of the costs. Students are encouraged
to inform themselves about this and apply for available grants at their universities,
local governments and other institutions. Students from the University of Vienna
should note that these conditions may be subject to change. The organizers of each
session will facilitate budget accommodation and meals for participants.
CONTENT OF RAUN PROGRAM
The RAUN program and research projects focus on UN-related topics especially
on the following themes:
The program also includes teamwork, networking and social activities that foster
group dynamic, personal development and intercultural learning and understanding.
A session on how to write a research paper in accordance with RAUN guidelines is
provided during the first session of each year.
SESSION REPORTS
RAUN program requires students to write a report at the end of each session.
The session report (minimum one full page) must include the following items:
International Security
International Development
International Human Rights
International Law
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RESEARCH PROJECTS
Project paper
Participants are required to write a unified, group project paper of 20 pages at the
end of the program as a prerequisite for successfully completing the RAUN
program. This paper MUST follow RAUN guidelines and will be presented in front
of a jury of experts at the last session in Vienna.
The theme for 2015-2016 RAUN program is Peace and Security. The research
projects will focus on the nexus between peace and security and UN-related topics
especially the following:
Organization of the session by the host country
Evaluation/reflection on the group members
Evaluation/reflection on the counsel
Suggestion for improvements
Terrorism and Non-state Actors
United Nations and EU
Space Security and Nuclear Security
Women in wars
Migration
Education
International Criminal Courts
Multilateral Diplomacy
Hate crimes versus freedom of press
A reflection on the general content of the session
Personal and professional lessons learned
The usefulness of lessons learned for academic and professional life
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GRADUATION &
AWARDS
At the end of the program, students who have fulfilled all the requirements will receive certificates of successful completion.
Additionally, the following awards will be presented to the best performing students:
The overall best student will be recognized as the RAUN Best Student of the Year.
The best student from a particular country will be recognized as the RAUN National Student of the Year.
The best research in each category will be recognized as the RAUN Research of the Year.
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CONTACT INFORMATION &
APPLICATION
For more information about the Regional Academy on the United Nations and
how to apply please visit www.ra-un.org and contact us at [email protected]
Applicants should send the required documents to the following coordinators
in the country they are studying by March 8th:
Austria: [email protected]
Czech Republic: [email protected]
Hungary: [email protected]
Serbia: [email protected]
Slovakia: [email protected]
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PARTNERS &
SUPPORTERS