Introduction

Update: the lector/ special chair UN Studies is vacant as per January 1, 2022. Preparations for recruitment for a new lector / special chair UN studies are ongoing.

From 1st of September 2018, Alanna O'Malley was appointed as Professor of United Nations Studies in Peace and Justice, focusing on the ‘lesser-known actors’ of the UN: women, the youth, the agents of informal diplomatic networks within the UN and actors from the Global South. This Special Chair has been created by the Municipality of The Hague to honor the work of Jozias Van Aartsen, former Dutch Foreign Minister and Mayor of The Hague. The new appointed professor Alanna ‘O Malley will set up and lead the research group UN Studies: Peace and Justice. The Research group aims to increase the visibility and relevance of the UN to the general public in The Hague and beyond, capitalizing on The Hague a strategic centre for UN Studies.

About the research group

The research group is positioned halfway within the Institute of Security and Global Affairs of Leiden University's Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs and the Faculty of Governance, Law and Safety of The Hague University of Applied Sciences. The research group is being funded by the Municipality of The Hague for a period of three years as part of the ‘Van Aartsen honours program’ in the field of UN Studies.

Aim of the research group

The aim of the UN Studies research group is to ultimately change perceptions of the UN. It will do so by establishing a UN Studies Research Network connecting expertise at The Hague University of Applied Sciences with that of Leiden University. The research group provides a unique opportunity to bring together a diverse set of actors relating to the UN and its activities in order to improve public visibility of and engagement with the organization. The research group is designed to act as an umbrella to connect different dimensions of UN proficiency by bridging academic and civil society and acting as a focal point for activities relating to the UN and associated ideas of global governance in the area of peace and justice.

Timing of the programme

This is a very timely moment at which to think about the UN for three main reasons.

Firstly, as the 75th anniversary of the UN in 2020 draws closer, the time has come for more balanced, critical and representative views of the organization. The Chair will stimulate frontier research in a range of different areas.

Secondly, the historical legacy of international law in The Hague, its reputation in the area of peace and justice, alongside the wealth of researchers and experts here, make it the ideal place in which to develop contributions to current debates about UN reform and revitalization.

Thirdly, as The Netherlands has just completed a term as an elected member on the Security Council this is an opportunity for appraisal and reflection on a range of UN issues from the perspective of the Dutch experience which may be mined to develop broader action plans.

See also: Leiden University

Team

Szilvia Csevár

Szilvia Csevár

Lecturer-researcher

Szilvia Csevár
Lecturer-researcher
David den Dunnen

David den Dunnen

Lecturer-researcher

David den Dunnen
Lecturer-researcher
Christine Tremblay

Christine Tremblay

Lecturer-researcher

Christine Tremblay
Lecturer-researcher
Saskia Rademaker

Saskia Rademaker

Researcher

Saskia Rademaker
Researcher

Projects

The Invisible History of the United Nations and the Global South

Challenging the Liberal World Order from Within, The Invisible History of the United Nations and the Global South, 1945-1981.
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Women and the Process of Peace, A Multilevel Perspective

This program examines women’s involvement in three key areas of peace and conflict: conflict prevention, peacekeeping and the post-conflict/peace-making.
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The UN and I, What Does the UN Mean to the Youth?

A project in association with the Van Aartsen Honours Program (City of The Hague) and the PRE-program of Leiden University. This project is focused on working with youth at two levels; in schools and in universities.
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Publications

Report

Future of the UN - A Youth Perspective

The following report presents a summary of the ideas and proposals discussed during the virtual UN75 dialogues organized by The Chair of UN Studies in Peace and Justice.
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Report

The United Nations after Brexit

How does the looming exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union affect the work of the United Nations?
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Report

Just Peace X UN Youth Impact: Statelessness and Peaceful Societies

On Monday 16 September 2019, UN Youth Impact held an event with The Lighthouse at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. This event was part of the Just Peace Festival programme in The Hague.
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Publication

Trip to the UN: Essays by young students of the Van Aartsen Honours Program

From 6-9 July 2019, a group of young students from Edith Stein College, Rijswijk Lyceum and the Johan de Witt School in The Hague travelled to New York City as part of the Van Aartsen Honours Program.
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Publication

Women face an ‘extra responsibility’ in the armed forces

The challenge of how to increase female participation in peacekeeping forces is currently under the international spotlight, as reflected in recent debates in the UN Security Council and in the EU.
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News

Inheems Bevolking
7 July 2022

An Indigenous Story - The Story of the Tŝilhqot’in

Research, Programmes

09.06.2022 16:00 – 18:00; The lights are dimmed, and the first students stride into the room. The recording is set up…
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Peace Palace
15 March 2022

Minor: Making Peace Not War: Sustainable Peace and Conflict Resolution

Research

Are you interested in finding out how to tackle international conflicts? Are you motivated to learn how the UN…
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Christine Tremblay
7 January 2021

Researcher in the spotlight: Christine Tremblay

Research

Christine Tremblay, lecturer at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, is starting a weekly reading discussion group…
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