Broaden your Skills and join the UN Summer Academy 2025 Program (full scholarships available): Enroll Now

Ednah Carrick July 28, 2025

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Closing Date: 15 August 2025

Broaden your Skills and join the UN Summer Academy 2025 Program (full scholarships available): Enroll Now

UN Summer Academy 2025 Overview

The UN Summer Academy (UNSA) is a dynamic and engaging global forum for advancing sustainable development. For over a decade, the academy has convened exceptional groups of changemakers annually to address global challenges that the UN system and its partners from multiple sectors and regions across the world are addressing. The academy combines academic rigour with cutting-edge thinking, providing participants with innovative learning and networking opportunities.

In September 2025, the academy will once again welcome participants to engage in robust discussions and knowledge exchanges on Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development. The Certified Course wiil take a facilitated e-learning starting on 2 September 2025 and is being offered by the United Nations System Staff College (UN Partner)

Course details

UN Summer Academy (UNSA) fosters rich interactions on issues relevant to the work of the United Nations and its partners in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.

Topics

SDG 2030 Agenda Breaking the silos Leave no one behind Subject 2030 Agenda and SDGs Keywords 2030 Agenda 5Ps multilateral tracking progress

Digital technologies are reshaping how societies connect, govern, and grow. The UN’s Global Digital Compact envisions an open, free, and secure digital future for all – one where digital tools advance human rights, drive sustainable development, and leave no one behind. Achieving this vision calls for inclusive digital transformation, ethical governance, and a cultural shift toward collaboration, trust, and resilience.

The UN Summer Academy is a dynamic and engaging global forum for advancing sustainable development. For over a decade, the academy has convened exceptional groups of changemakers annually to address global challenges that the UN system and its partners from multiple sectors and regions across the world are addressing. The academy combines academic rigour with cutting-edge thinking, providing participants with innovative learning and networking opportunities.

In September 2025, the UN Summer Academy will once again welcome participants to engage in robust discussions and knowledge exchanges on Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development.

Target Audience

Up to 100 applicants who sign up will be selected based on their professional/academic profile and motivation statements, with full scholarships available for a select few. When signing up, make sure you dedicate enough time to fill in all the required information, especially at the question: “Tell us a bit more about why you are applying for this course” to demonstrate your motivation to take part in this learning opportunity.

The cohort will comprise UN professionals; representatives from national and local government bodies; members of civil society, academia; and sustainability intrapreneurs from the private sector. More specifically, successful applicants to UNSA will be mid-level professionals with 8-15 years of experience working on digital transformation for sustainable development.

The selection board will make sure geographic regions, gender, and sectors – including UN and non-UN – are well represented in the cohort.

Note that

Attendance Requirements: Participants must commit to attending all three days of the Academy. Certificates from the United Nations System Staff College will be awarded to participants who meet the attendance rate criteria for the UN Summer Academy.
Technical Requirements: Participants will need to access the academy through a desktop PC or laptop with an internet connection, as well as a functioning webcam, microphone, and speakers. Internet speed and volume should be sufficient for four to five hours of video-conferencing each day. Due to the interactive and co-creative format of the Academy, it is not possible to participate using a smartphone.

Learning Objectives

Upon successfully participating in the UN Summer Academy 2025, participants will:

Demonstrate a strong understanding of how digital transformation can be an enabler for Sustainable Development;
Be able to critically examine governance and ethical considerations in the realm of data-sharing ecosystems and Artificial Intelligence; and
Cultivate awareness of the cultural shifts needed to foster collaboration and build trust to unlock the full potential of Digital Transformation as a driver of Sustainable Development.

Scholarships

How to apply for a UNSA 2025 Scholarship?

Please read the instructions carefully before you begin.

Step 1: Please first register for the UN Summer Academy by clicking on the “Sign up” button at the top of the UNSA page. Once your course registration is complete, and pending approval, you should receive an automatically generated email. Your UNSA 2025 scholarship application will not be taken into consideration if you have not registered on the UNSA page first.
Step 2: After you have completed your registration on the page, please apply via this Scholarship Application Form using the same email address.

The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, 1 August 2025.