Environment and Sustainable Development - United Nations ...

technology and society; and (e) environment. UNU
undertakes research and training and develops networks on
a broad range of issues within each of these themes, as
well as on issues that cut across these themes and
programme areas. The results of the University’s work are
disseminated through a variety of channels, including highlevel
panels, conferences, workshops, books, journals,
newsletters and the Internet.
Governing Council
The governing body of UNU, the Council of the United
Nations University, held its annual session at UNU Centre
in Tokyo from 9-12 December 2002. The main functions
of the Council are to formulate the principles and policies
that govern the operations of the University, consider and
approve the UNU work programme and budget, and make
recommendations regarding the effective functioning of
the University. This year deliberations focused on the
following main topics:
(i) considering the draft UNU strategic plan 2002;
(ii) considering the evaluation and peer reviews of
UNU/IAS and UNU/INRA activities;
(iii) examining proposals for new research and training
centres and programmes (RTC/Ps), networks and
initiatives;
(iv) discussing the UNU’s contribution to the World
Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), as
well as reviewing the present and potential role of the
University in Africa, including Francophone Africa;
(v) assessing the financial situation of the University; and
(vi) considering the draft personnel policy of the
University.
Peace and Governance Programme
The UNU Peace and Governance Programme focuses on
the interconnected issues of sustainable peace and security
and good governance. Projects within these two broad
themes are organized into four main programme areas: the
United Nations and international order; conflict and
security; human rights and ethics; and policy and
institutional framework. An important aspect of the
Programme’s activities is partnerships in almost all
projects with research institutions around the world which
permit leveraging of modest core funds and substantially
expand the networking base of UNU.
Hundreds of men, women and children had their hand amputated by the
various rebel groups during the civil war in Sierra Leone. Marie Korma was only
three years old when she had a hand amputated during the rebel attack on her
village near Freetown.
© Peter Williams/WCC
Peace – The year 2002 continued to offer many tragic
reminders of the inter-connectedness of peace, well-being,
equity and justice, and of the importance of positive crosscultural
dialogue. It was not a good year for efforts at
conflict abatement. From persisting inter-state disputes, to
ongoing and fresh outbreaks of intra-state and regional
conflicts and transnational terrorism, and exacerbation of
human insecurities, 2002 dealt many setbacks to the vision
of a world at peace. It is in this context that the UNU
Centre Peace and Governance Programme remains
committed to work on peace and security, broadly defined.
In 2002, the Peace and Governance Programme
contributed to efforts in global problem-solving through
Vice-Rector Ramesh Thakur’s participation in efforts to
promote debate on the work of the independent
International Commission on Intervention and State
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