UNITAR

Tailored solutions for peaceful, just, and inclusive societies

Established in 1963, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a dedicated training arm of the United Nations, with a mission to help Member States develop the capacities of individuals, organisations and institutions to enhance global decision-making and to support country-level action for shaping a better future. Guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other international agreements, UNITAR works in several key thematic areas that aim to promote peace, human well-being, planet conservation, sustainable prosperity and the cross-fertilisation of knowledge by strengthening multilateralism. The Institute also conducts research on innovative learning approaches, methods and tools, as well as applied research to address critical issues such as disaster risk reduction and humanitarian emergencies. 

Within UNITAR, the Division for Peace supports the building of peaceful, just and inclusive societies by empowering individuals, institutions and organisations to contribute meaningfully to sustainable peace. The pillars that integrate the Division, including Recovery and Resilience (R&R), apply an innovative and comprehensive set of learning and knowledge-sharing methodologies that are specifically tailored to the needs of beneficiaries and aim to transform attitudes and behaviours.

Among the thematic areas covered by the R&R pillar, Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) is perhaps one of the most strategic in its mission to contribute to stabilisation and peace-building efforts in conflict-affected countries. UNITAR’s work on DDR seeks to support national, regional and international actors and practitioners by building and strengthening their capacities to implement both emerging and traditional programmes and processes in accordance with international standards and guidelines, such as the UN Integrated Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Standards (IDDRS) and the African Union’s Operational Guidance Notes (OGNs).

UNITAR has established partnership with several members of the IDDRTG and of the IAWG for the creation of DDR capacity-building. Moreover, the Institute offers free and open online courses on DDR and DDR-related tools on the UNITAR e-learning platform.