Taking advantage of the ongoing experience of the Cooperation and Development Network, the Universities of Pavia (Italy), Bethlehem University (Palestine), the University of San Buenaventura (Colombia), and Kenyatta University (Kenya) have been recognized as UNESCO UNITWIN NETWORK ON INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. This network fosters the exchange of teachers, researchers, and students, through intensive courses, webinars, and summer and winter schools dedicated to the culture of peace and sustainable human development. Other universities in our network such as Midwestern University (Kathmandu), Uninorte University (Barranquilla), and Tangaza University (Nairobi) are in the process of joining the Network soon!
The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme was launched in 1992 to promote international inter-university cooperation. This Network has grown to include around 1000 Chairs and 45 networks across 125 countries. This 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. They also bring together partners in academia, civil society, local communities, and policy-makers in dialogue for project implementation.
From the very beginning, the UNESCO UNITWIN Network activities have been inspired by the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals. The activities we are implementing are fully in line with the UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy 2002-2029. In particular, we underline the role of Global Partnership in education, protection of the environment, gender equality, social Inclusion, and reducing Inequalities.
In June 2020 the Network organized a webinar with all the CDN members on What the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us about the importance of international cooperation; this was an occasion for sharing different experiences of how to carry on academic activities during the pandemic. Students and teachers’ mobility between the Universities of Pavia, Bethlehem, Kenyatta, Midwestern, and Tangaza University College re-started during academic years 2022-23 and 2023-24.
All CDN members regularly share information and opinions through a newsletter. There are also interesting opinion sessions by the students. On January 8, 2023, Midwestern University opened the Institute of Cooperation and Development in Kathmandu with an official ceremony.
Project TOGETHER supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, AICS, and by the Italian Bishops Conference has helped to strengthen the collaboration between the Universities of Pavia, Kenyatta University, and Tangaza University College in Nairobi. The exchange of teachers and students and intensive training courses in Nairobi have been taking place since late 2022. Moreover, there are three joint research activities in the evaluation of development projects. This project is managed by the University of Pavia, in close collaboration with the Italian NGO CISP. The project Together is a three-year program of close collaboration between the University of Pavia Kenyatta University and Tangaza University College Nairobi. The program implies exchanges of students and teachers, but also joint research activities on three very relevant issues in the local context: development finance, the impact of COVID-19, and sustainable health.
On May 7th, 2024 the Network has organised a workshop on: The Future of Development Cooperation: analyzing impacts of DAC Recommendation for NGOs and donors. The event was organized in collaboration with two NGOs: CeSPI and ActionAid Italia.
On May 21st, 2024 a Joint Scientific and Technical Committee, of the CDN was held in Rome. This was the first Committee to be held in presence after the COVID-19 pandemic, all the CDN partners will participate. The meeting was a fundamental occasion to formally include a new partner Tangaza University College Nairobi and to plan more joint activities, including the further enlargement of the UNESCO UNITWIN Network.
On May 22nd in Rome, we organized the presentation of the results of Project TOGETHER with the presence of all the CDN partners, representatives of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, and other Civil Society Organizations.
ALMO COLLEGIO BORROMEO
Piazza Collegio Borromeo, 9
27100 Pavia, Italia
Tel +39 0382 395504
Email: cdn@unipv.it
