SelectedCross-Cutting Issues32<strong>UNU</strong> ANNUAL REPORT <strong>2005</strong>
Much of the work of <strong>UNU</strong> is cross-sectoral andmultidisciplinary in nature. Although someprojects focus on specific, well-defined issuesor fields of study within one of the five <strong>UNU</strong>thematic areas, others cut across and complementmultiple thematic areas, or integratedivergent or disparate elements that transcendtraditional social, economic, and naturalfoundations. Furthermore, some perspectives— such as gender roles and human rights —are addressed across all issues and thematicareas. This section highlights some significantcross-cutting initiatives undertaken in <strong>2005</strong>.Education for sustainable development“Sustaining the Future: Globalization andEducation for Sustainable Development”,the fourth in a series of joint <strong>UNU</strong>/UNESCOconferences on globalization, was held in Juneat Nagoya <strong>University</strong> (Japan). Following theofficial launch of the <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> Decade ofEducation for Sustainable Development (<strong>2005</strong>–2014) in the Asia-Pacific region on the first dayof the conference, participants discussed therole of education in preparing people tocontribute to sustainable development, peace,and human security, and the roles of e-learning,regional initiatives, and higher education.The conference closed with the officiallaunch of seven worldwide Regional Centresof Expertise (RCEs) on education for sustainabledevelopment, organized by <strong>UNU</strong>-IAS. (Bythe end of the year, ten RCEs had been officiallyestablished.) Each RCE is a network of existingformal, non-formal, and informal educationorganizations aimed at delivering education forsustainable development in the context of thelocal/regional community in which it operates.The RCEs will seek to build innovative platformsfor sharing information and experiences,promoting dialogue among relevant stakeholders,and creating a local/regional knowledgebase. The core elements of this will include:• Governance — addressing issues of RCEmanagement and leadership;• Collaboration — addressing the engagementof actors from all levels and types educationin RCE activities;• Research and development — addressing therole of research and its inclusion in RCEactivities, and contributing to the design ofstrategies for collaborative activities (includingcollaboration with other RCEs); and• Transformative education — contributing tothe transformation of current education andtraining systems to satisfy the ambitions ofthe region regarding sustainable living andlivelihood.The RCEs will mobilize activity on the partof many different individuals and institutions,and will help to give focus to their contributionsin creating, jointly, a global learning spacefor sustainability.Gender and migrationA workshop on “Gender and Migration:Domestic Workers from Asia and LatinAmerica” was held at <strong>UNU</strong> Centre in October.Participants took stock of research and policyinterventions regarding migrant domesticworkers, and explored the development ofstronger links among the different actors andstakeholders involved. The discussions highlightedthe fact that although the number ofwomen migrating for domestic work worldwideis high, the level of attention given to theirsituation in the policy and academic arenas isvery low. Strategies were proposed to raiseawareness of the various labour, social, andpolitical issues surrounding remunerateddomestic work. The workshop was the third ina series organized by <strong>UNU</strong> to help improve thequality of research and policies in genderrelatedareas. (Previous workshops focused on“Gender and Poverty Alleviation” and “Genderand Health”).BRAZIL Rio Maria — Brazilian cowboys prepare to brand a steer.Sustainable cattle breeding is one focus of joint research by<strong>UNU</strong> and UFMT in the fragile Pantanal wetlands of westernBrazil. Photo: Alvaro Leiva / Panos PicturesRegional security and global governanceA <strong>UNU</strong>-CRIS project explored the meaning andpromise of a “new vision of global security”that would draw upon the resources andSELECTED CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES33
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