United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction | The United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) was established in 1963 as an autonomous institution within the United Nations system. It conducts interdisciplinary research to generate knowledge and inform policies for social justice and sustainable development. |
| Objectives | – Generate Knowledge: Conduct in-depth research on social development issues to inform policy-making. – Promote Social Justice: Advocate for policies that enhance social equity, inclusion, and justice. – Support Sustainable Development: Align research with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. |
| Members (2024) | – UNRISD operates as an autonomous entity within the United Nations system and does not have a formal membership structure. – Collaborates with UN Member States, international organizations, academic institutions, and civil society to advance its objectives. |
| Reports/Indices | – “Indicators That Matter: Toward Authentic Sustainability Reporting” (May 2023): Introduces the Sustainable Development Performance Indicators (SDPI) project. – “Authentic Sustainability Assessment” (Nov 2022): User manual for SDPI. – “Thresholds of Transformation” (July 2022): Synthesis report on SDPI pilot testing. |
| – “Corporate Sustainability Accounting” (Nov 2020): Examines corporate sustainability accounting practices. – “Gender Equality in the Workplace” (Sept 2020): Focuses on measuring gender equality indicators for transformative change. – “Fair Remuneration” (Oct 2020): Strategies for addressing income inequality. | |
| – “Sustainable Development Impact Indicators for SSE” (Oct 2019): Analyzes indicators for measuring the impact of Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) on sustainable development. – “Making Materiality Determinations” (Dec 2019): Approaches to materiality in sustainability reporting. | |
| Instruments | – Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) – International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) – 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – Paris Agreement on Climate Change |
| Structure | – Director: Oversees the institute’s operations. – Research Teams: Comprise experts focusing on specific social development themes. – Advisory Board: Provides strategic guidance and oversight. – Support Staff: Ensure operational and logistical efficiency. |
| Subsidiary Organs | UNRISD does not have formal subsidiary organs but operates specialized research programs, including: – Social Policy and Development Programme – Gender and Development Programme – Social Dimensions of Sustainable Development Programme |
| Committees | – Collaborates with UN bodies such as the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and other committees focused on social development. – Participates in advisory and expert groups related to sustainable development and social justice. |
| Initiatives | – Sustainable Development Performance Indicators (SDPI) Project: Introduces tools for measuring sustainability performance of entities aligned with the 2030 Agenda. – Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) Research: Studies the role of SSE in achieving development goals. – Overcoming Inequalities Initiative: Investigates inequality drivers. |
| – Just Transition Research Collaborative: Examines fair transitions to low-carbon economies. – Transformative Adaptation to Climate Change in Coastal Cities: Focuses on socially inclusive adaptation strategies. – South-South Migration Hub: Analyzes impacts of migration between developing nations on inequality and development. |
