The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) is an initiative that seeks to contribute to the achievement of United Nations goals through the support for higher education institutions, including the promotion and protection of human rights, access to education, sustainability and conflict resolution.

In January this year, VERN’ became a member of this global initiative, as the only Croatian higher education institution in this prestigious society.

The network of students, academics, scientists, researchers, research centers, universities, continuing education and educational associations, which UNAI has gathered since 2010, today numbers more than 1,300-member institutions from more than 130 countries.

The work of this network is crucial for achieving the goals of sustainable development, given the ideas, inventions and solutions at their disposal.

Although UNAI membership is open to all accredited higher education institutions, it is important to point out that VERN is the only member from the Croatian academic sector, and that we have applied for membership with successful projects that promote sustainability and are complementary to UNAI's main principles sustainable development.

"All the principles of UNAI are values that we strive to respect in our regular business and we additionally ensure their realization through long-term strategic plans of VERN, but also operationally through the creation and participation in numerous projects," said Iva Biondić, VERN's Vice-Dean for Strategic Development, also a member of the Steering Committee of the United Nations Global Compact Initiative in Croatia.

But there are other projects that VERN’s has successfully implemented in collaboration with international partners, and have been a reference when deciding on UNAI membership.

"In recent years, VERN has chosen to participate in projects that are in line with our strategic principles and plans, but also those that work for the benefit of the entire community and lay the foundations for an economically and socially sustainable successful future for all of us," explains Tea Gagro Held, VERN's EU project manager.

Communication Department

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Date of publication: August 10, 2020