UNITWIN visual

UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks

UNESCO's university cooperation programme

A network of universities around the world supports UNESCO’s work in education, the natural and social sciences, culture and communication, to help address pressing challenges and contribute to the development of their societies. The UNESCO Chairs teams contribute at each stage of our work: from the exploration of emerging issues, through the development of international normative instruments to the implementation of policy recommendations at the national level. They also bring together partners in academia, civil society, local communities and policy-makers in dialogue for project implementation. Furthermore, each Chair endeavours to spread the humanistic values of UNESCO through teaching activities.  

Launched in 1992 with the aim of promoting international inter-university cooperation, to share knowledge and develop collaborative work, there are now some 950 UNESCO Chairs and 45 UNITWIN networks in 120 countries. The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme coordinates the establishment of these partnerships, as well as supporting their activities.

 

What you need to know about UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED Special call: applications for Chairs on the human rights economy

Engage

UNESCO Chairs Seminars

Deepening engagement with universities around the world

Participate

University led webinars and other engagement opportunities

Applications and renewals

The 2024 application cycle is open.

UNESCO will be accepting applications to establish new UNESCO Chairs or UNITWIN Networks until 30 April 2024. The application is to be completed in English or French through the dedicated submission platform, and should be validated by the relevant National Commission for UNESCO. See the programme guidelines and procedures, and kindly take into account the application form (Annex A) and the criteria for the establishment of new UNESCO Chairs and UNTIWIN Networks (Annex B); as well as the instructions to access the submission platfrom on page 9. Applications by email will not be accepted.

A limit of two applications per country is set for the 2024 application cycle. Applicants are invited to consult with their respective National Commission for UNESCO as soon as possible as some begin the process of pre-selection months before the submission window.

Institutions wishing to renew their Agreements must submit a request to UNESCO for renewal six months before the expiry date of the active Agreement. Submissions are completed through an online platform and must include (1) Progress report for renewal – a report on activities and future workplans; and (2) letter of support from the host institution. Please consult the User guide for the renewal of UNESCO Chair or UNITWIN Network agreement for detailed instructions. Further information is also available here about the transfer of a UNESCO Chair to a new institution at the time of renewal. 

Kindly note that the renewal may require issuing a new agreement with the host institution(s)

Celebrating 30 years of the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme

International conference: Transforming knowledge for just and sustainable futures
Voices from UNESCO Chairs around the world

List of UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks

Key facts

1000
UNESCO Chairs & UNITWIN Networks
125
Countries
31
Years of existence
10000
Network members
The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme: guidelines and procedures (revised March 2022)
UNESCO
0000380998
Humanistic futures of learning: perspectives from UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks
UNESCO
2020
UNESCO
0000372577