Free UN Online Courses

The United Nations (UN), in collaboration with various agencies and partners, offers a wide range of free online courses aimed at fostering education on global issues such as sustainable development, human rights, climate change, peacekeeping, and public administration. These courses are typically self-paced, accessible to a global audience, and often provide certificates upon completion, though some certificates may require a fee or financial assistance application for discounted rates.

Below is a comprehensive overview of free online courses offered by UN agencies and related institutions, focusing on those accessible in the United States, along with relevant links where available. Note that some courses may be offered through platforms like UNITAR, UN CC:e-Learn, UNICEF’s Agora, or partner universities, and availability may vary based on enrollment periods or platform updates.

 

1. UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) Courses

UNITAR provides free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and other e-learning opportunities focused on sustainable development, peace, and human rights. These courses are designed for professionals, policymakers, and individuals interested in global issues.

 

Introduction to the 2030 Agenda: A New Agenda for a Sustainable World

 

  • Description: This MOOC improves general awareness of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for policymakers, youth, and the general public. It covers the history, structure, and implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

  • Duration: Self-paced, approximately 4 hours.

  • Link: Available through UNITAR’s e-learning platform or partner platforms like edX. Check UNITAR’s course catalog for enrollment.

 

Integrated Planning for Climate Change and Biodiversity

 

  • Description: Jointly delivered by UNITAR and IUCN, this course promotes understanding of the nexus between biodiversity, climate change, and land-use planning. It includes modules on inter-sectoral collaboration, public participation, and regional planning.

  • Duration: Self-paced, completable within 4 months, approximately 4 hours.

  • Link: UNITAR MOOCs

 

Human Rights and the Environment

 

  • Description: A collaborative course with UN Environment, offering a 3-hour introduction to the relationship between human rights and environmental issues, including procedural and substantive obligations.

  • Certificate: Joint UNITAR-UN Environment certificate upon completion.

  • Link: Available via the InforMEA platform or UNITAR’s website.

 

Milestones in UN Peacekeeping

 

  • Description: This course provides a historical overview of UN peacekeeping from 1945 to the present, highlighting key events and trends shaping its evolution.

  • Duration: Self-paced, approximately 4 hours.

  • Link: UNITAR course catalog

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Introduction to Environment, Natural Resources, and UN Peacekeeping Operations

 

 

Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Courses

 

  • Description: UNITAR offers courses on conflict analysis, negotiation, mediation, and humanitarian negotiation, focusing on transitioning from conflict to peace.

  • Duration: Varies, typically 2-4 hours per course.

  • Link: UNITAR MOOCs

 

2. UN CC:e-Learn (One UN Climate Change Learning Partnership)

UN CC:e-Learn provides free courses to foster climate action and environmental sustainability, aligning with the SDGs.

 

Children and Climate Change

 

  • Description: Explores how climate change impacts children and youth, offering strategies to strengthen resilience and encourage climate action.

  • Duration: Self-paced, approximately 9 hours.

  • Link: UN CC:e-Learn

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Gender and Environment

 

  • Description: Focuses on mainstreaming gender in sustainable development, providing tools to address environmental challenges through a gender lens.

  • Duration: Self-paced.

  • Link: UN CC:e-Learn

 

Climate Change and Human Rights

 

  • Description: Examines the intersection of climate change and human rights, focusing on mitigation, adaptation, and impacts on vulnerable populations.

  • Duration: Self-paced.

  • Link: UN CC:e-Learn

 

Reducing Ship Emissions

  • Description: Covers IMO regulations and practical measures to mitigate climate change in the maritime industry.

  • Duration: Self-paced.

  • Link: UN CC:e-Learn

 

Reviewing IPCC Climate Reports

  • Description: Teaches how to review IPCC climate reports, with a focus on increasing participation from developing countries and early-career experts.

  • Duration: Self-paced.

  • Link: UN CC:e-Learn

 

3. UNSSC (United Nations System Staff College) – The Blue Line

The UNSSC offers free online courses through its Blue Line platform, primarily for UN personnel but accessible to others, focusing on leadership, ethics, and management.*

 

Ethical Decision-Making

 

  • Description: Provides insights into ethical decision-making processes and their importance in the UN context.

  • Duration: Self-paced, approximately 90 minutes.

  • Link: UNSSC Blue Line

 

Ethical Leadership

 

  • Description: Helps participants reflect on their values and actions to lead ethically within the UN system.

  • Duration: Self-paced, approximately 90 minutes.

  • Link: UNSSC Blue Line

 

UN Strategy for Disability Inclusion

 

  • Description: Promotes a disability-inclusive mindset and practical measures for inclusion in daily work. Available in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.

  • Duration: Self-paced, approximately 90 minutes.

  • Link: UNSSC Blue Line

 

Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists

 

  • Description: Strengthens capacity to promote freedom of expression, access to information, and journalist safety, aligned with the UN Plan of Action.

  • Duration: Self-paced.

  • Link: UNSSC Blue Line

 

4. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) eLearning Academy

The FAO eLearning Academy offers free multilingual courses on food security, nutrition, and sustainable resource management.

 

Various Courses on Food, Agriculture, and Rural Development

 

 

5. UNICEF’s Agora Platform

UNICEF’s Agora portal provides over 100 free online courses, focusing on humanitarian aid, child rights, and development.

 

Social Change and Human Rights

 

  • Description: Offered in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania, this course addresses human rights issues like gender violence, child marriage, and sanitation practices. It includes theoretical and practical components.

  • Duration: 8 weeks (4 weeks theoretical, 4 weeks practical).

  • Link: Agora UNICEF

 

Children’s Environmental Health

 

  • Description: A joint course with WHO, equipping healthcare providers with knowledge to address environmental pollution and climate change impacts on children.

  • Duration: Self-paced.

  • Link: Agora UNICEF or WHO OpenWHO

 

6. UNPAN (United Nations Public Administration Network) Online Training Centre

UNPAN offers free courses on public administration for government officials and citizens worldwide.

 

Governance and Public Institutions

  • Description: Covers topics like participation, accountability, and digital governance, available in English and other UN languages.

  • Duration: Self-paced.

  • Link: UNPAN Online Training Centre

 

7. OpenWHO (World Health Organization)

OpenWHO provides free courses on public health and health emergencies, offered by WHO, a UN agency.

 

Health Emergencies and Public Health Topics

 

  • Description: Includes courses on COVID-19, Ebola, risk communication, and infection prevention.

  • Duration: Self-paced.

  • Link: OpenWHO

 

8. UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) Courses

UNDP offers free courses on sustainable development and related topics.

 

Nature Performance Bonds

 

  • Description: Explores financing environmental goals through nature performance bonds.

  • Duration: Self-paced.

  • Link: UNDP Learning Platform

 

UN Guiding Principles

 

  • Description: A virtual course with 5 interactive modules on implementing the UN Guiding Principles for business and human rights.

  • Duration: Self-paced.

  • Link: UNDP Learning Platform

 

9. UNU (United Nations University) Non-Degree Courses

UNU offers specialized non-degree courses, some of which are free and online.

 

Various Topics in Public Policy and Development

 

  • Description: Courses cover migration studies, policy analysis, and impact evaluation, often with a solutions-oriented focus.

  • Duration: Varies, from single-day workshops to multi-week courses.

  • Link: UNU Courses

 

10. Partner University Courses (UN-Affiliated)

Some UN courses are offered through partner universities like the University of Copenhagen, University of London, or University of Geneva, often hosted on platforms like edX or Coursera.

 

The Sustainable Development Goals – A Global, Transdisciplinary Vision for the Future

 

  • Description: Offered by the University of Copenhagen, this course explores the SDGs, focusing on climate action and human rights.

  • Duration: Self-paced.

  • Link: Coursera (search for the course title)

 

Understanding the United Nations

 

  • Description: Offered by the University of London and SOAS, this course introduces the UN system, its key functions, and themes like human rights and crisis response.

  • Duration: Self-paced.

  • Link: Coursera

 

International Organizations Management

 

  • Description: Offered by the University of Geneva, this course provides insights into the workings of international organizations like the UN, taught by senior UNDP and UNICEF staff.

  • Duration: Self-paced.

  • Link: Coursera

 

Notes on Accessing Courses

Certificates: Many courses offer free access to content, but verified certificates may require a fee. Platforms like edX offer financial assistance (up to 90% discounts) for certificates. Check individual course pages for details.

 

Enrollment: Most courses are self-paced and available year-round, but some have specific enrollment periods. Visit the linked platforms to confirm availability.

 

Languages: Courses are often available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and other UN official languages.

 

Platforms: Courses are hosted on dedicated UN platforms (e.g., UNITAR, UN CC:e-Learn, Agora) or third-party platforms like Coursera, edX, or OpenWHO. Always verify course availability on the respective platform.

 

How to Enroll

  • Visit the relevant platform (e.g., UNITAR, UN CC:e-Learn, Agora, or OpenWHO).

  • Browse the course catalog and select a course aligned with your interests.

  • Create an account on the platform.

  • Enroll in the course and start learning at your own pace.

  • For certificates, complete all assignments and assessments, and apply for financial assistance if needed.

 

Additional Resources

 

  • UN SDG:Learn: A centralized platform for SDG-related learning, offering access to courses from multiple UN agencies. UN SDG:Learn

  • ReliefWeb: Provides humanitarian training resources, including some free courses by OCHA. ReliefWeb Training

  • Fresh Scholarships: Offers guidance on enrolling in UN courses and highlights free certificate options. Fresh Scholarships

 

These courses provide valuable skills and knowledge for individuals in the United States and globally, supporting career advancement in fields like international development, human rights, and environmental sustainability. For the most up-to-date information, visit the provided links and check enrollment deadlines.