UNU-GEST welcomes the class of 2018!
The United Nations University Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme (UNU-GEST) welcomed the 11th cohort to its annual post-graduate programme in international gender studies in Iceland this week. This spring term, a record number of 24 fellows from 14 countries participates in the programme; Afghanistan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Montenegro, Mozambique, Nigeria, Palestine, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Tunisia and Uganda. All participants are experts in their specific fields, giving us the opportunity to bring together highly inspiring individuals form various backgrounds such as from universities, government bodies, and human rights and civil society organisations. Amongst the 20 women and 4 men is also the 100th fellow to graduate with a post-graduate diploma in international gender studies since the start of the programme in 2009.
The UNU-GEST programme runs annually in the spring term (January – May) at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik. It focuses on the promotion of gender equality and the enhancement of women empowerment. The programme (30 ECTS) consists of six modules that aim to educate the fellows in methods and theories of gender equality, as well as to strengthen their professional capabilities regarding the implementation of gender sensitive projects in their home countries.
Overall, the interdisciplinary programme touches upon topics as gender theories and concepts, peace and security studies, gender-responsive budgeting and practical tools to reinforce the fellows’ understanding of the mechanisms and structures that can be utilized to promote gender equality in addition to cover the area of health, climate change and the environment. Further information about the UNU-GEST post-graduate diploma programme is available here.