A-Z Site Index
With over half of the world’s population in lockdown due to COVID-19, people have been encouraged to use the time to self-study and learn new skills. Many took advantage of the availability of e-learning services to do just that.
At UNRIC, we put together an overview of e-Learning tools and online courses offered by the United Nations System. There are hundreds of courses on offer, covering a wide range of topics, from sustainable development to human rights, climate change to nuclear safety, and many more.
Pick a course from the list below and get started.
Last update: 15 October 2021
ECA – Economic Commission for Africa, African Institute for Economic Development and Planning
IDEP eLearning Platform
https://elearning.unidep.org
https://www.uneca.org/idep/
Since its creation, IDEP works to assist African governments in their training efforts and capacity building in the areas of economic management and planning. With this regards, it works closely with African member states to assess their needs and develop general courses, specialized and tailored to their frames of senior and middle levels. IDEP also works with various departments involved in the socio-economic development of Africa. In addition to training and capacity building which constitute its core mandate, the institute also conducts research on policies on various issues related to economic management and development planning. It provides, moreover, advisory services on policies at the request of Member States. These services are tailored to the specific needs of applicants governments. Finally, the Institute also organizes on a regular basis, a series of policy dialogues, seminars and public policy conferences.
ECLAC – Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribean
https://www.cepal.org/en/training
Training is an integral part of the technical cooperation that ECLAC offers its member countries. The beneficiaries are usually technical staff and decision-makers in public authorities, but may also include academic experts and opinion-makers in civil society. The courses and workshops promoted, supported or organized by ECLAC offer participants the opportunity to learn about and share experiences concerning development in various countries and to strengthen their professional skills and competencies in specific areas related to the Commission’s work.
ESCAP – Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific
ESCAP Learning and Training Programmes
https://www.unescap.org/learning-training
The main objective of ESCAP’s capacity development work is to develop the technical, managerial and institutional capacities of member and associate member governments to plan and deliver more effective policies and programmes in support of inclusive and sustainable development with special attention to least developed and landlocked developing countries as well as small island developing states. In this effort the various sub-programmes of ESCAP develop e-learning courses, training programmes, tools and other online platforms to help member governments increase their institutional capacity to address development challenges as well as share technical knowledge in order that Asia and the Pacific fulfill the 2030 development agenda. A listing of these platforms is available below.
ESCWA – Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
لأنّ العلم مفتاح العمل، #لازم_نتعلّملازم_نتعلّم initiative
https://mol.unescwa.org/
https://archive.unescwa.org/news/MoL-Coursera-initiative
The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Ms. Rola Dashti, and the Minister of Labor of Lebanon, Ms. Lamia Yammine, launched on 8 October 2020 the “لأنّ العلم مفتاح العمل، #لازم_نتعلّم” initiative, which provides certified learning opportunities for 25,000 Lebanese citizens on the e-learning platform Coursera, free-of-charge.
FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FAO elearning Academy
https://elearning.fao.org/
FAO courses cover a wealth of topics in the areas of food and nutrition security, social and economic development and sustainable management of natural resources. Browse the course catalogue to learn about the full range of courses.
Let these six FAO e-learning courses shape a new you in this new year (22 January 2021) http://www.fao.org/fao-stories/article/en/c/1364884/
HRC – Human Rights Council
e-Learning tool on the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/TrustFund/Pages/Tool.aspx
Interactive, accessible and gender-aware, the e-Learning tool is designed for government officials from LDCs and SIDS as per the mandate of the Trust Fund. However, any government official in charge of human rights issues can use it.
The e-Learning Tool can also be useful for UN staff members who are based in the field and headquarters, staff members of regional and international organizations/groups, representatives of NGOs and civil society organizations, members of national human rights institutions and interns who would like to familiarize themselves with the work of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms.
IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency
Remote Learning: As the World Moves Online, Here are Some of our Newest Online Courses of 2020 (News, 29 December 2020)
Stuck in Self Isolation? Here are Hundreds of IAEA Online Courses for Free
(News, 26 March 2020)
CyberLearning Platform for Network Education and Training (CLP4NET)
https://elearning.iaea.org/
Online courses on nuclear safety and security, radiation protection, sustainable energy development, the use of nuclear applications and more
IFAD – International Fund for Agricultural Development
https://www.ifad.org/en/web/knowledge/e-learning
Browse e-learning courses on rural and agricultural development issues.
InforMEA learning
https://elearning.informea.org/
InforMEA is the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It is a one-stop portal for information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements – or MEAs – searchable by key terms across treaty texts, COP decisions, national plans and reports, laws, court decisions and more.
The portal includes an E-learning platform containing more than 30 courses in over 60 language versions. All courses are free of charge, self-paced, multilingual nad offer certificates of completion.
ILO – International Labour Organization
e-Learning tools on child labour
https://www.ilo.org/ipec/Informationresources/elearning/lang–en/index.html
The courses are designed to help to better understand what child labour is and the key role ILO stakeholders can play.
ITC-ILO – The International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization
https://www.itcilo.org/courses
The ITC is an advanced technical and vocational training institution and offers learning, knowledge-sharing, and institutional capacity-building programmes for governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and development partners. It aims to be a forum where development intersects with all forms of knowledge in the world of work, from tripartism to technology. As a multicultural hub for learning, the Centre welcomes everyone, regardless of gender, race, or class.
InforMEA learning
https://elearning.informea.org/
InforMEA is the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It is a one-stop portal for information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements – or MEAs – searchable by key terms across treaty texts, COP decisions, national plans and reports, laws, court decisions and more.
The portal includes an E-learning platform containing more than 30 courses in over 60 language versions. All courses are free of charge, self-paced, multilingual nad offer certificates of completion.
IMF – International Monetary Fund
IMF Online Learning
https://www.imf.org/external/np/ins/english/learning.htm
The IMF training program includes topics spanning macroeconomic analysis, monetary and fiscal policy, macro-financial linkages, balance of payments issues, financial markets and institutions, as well as statistical and legal frameworks in these areas.
IOM – International Organization for Migration
IOM e-Campus
https://www.ecampus.iom.int/
The IOM E-Campus is the learning platform developed by the Organization for external audiences. It is a free and virtual space with online courses and training materials on migration. The E-Campus courses are prepared by experts in topics that converge with migration. Currently there are more than 25 courses in Spanish, English, French, Italian and Arabic (the languages offered depend on the course, they are translated periodically).
ITU – International Telecommunication Academy
ITU Academy
https://academy.itu.int/
The ITU Academy is the main online gateway to ITU’s capacity development activities. It brings together under one umbrella a wide range of training activities and knowledge resources in the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and digital development.
SDGAcademyX – Free online courses from SDG Academy
https://www.edx.org/school/sdgacademyx
The SDG Academy creates and curates graduate-level courses on sustainable development for learners around the world. From sustainable cities to human rights to climate action, each of our courses addresses the fundamental challenge facing our world today: How do people, communities, businesses and governments coexist, cooperate and collaborate to save the one planet we have? The SDG Academy’s courses are fully interactive, so you can meet, debate and learn from both our global faculty of sustainable development experts and your fellow learners.
UN CC:e-Learn
https://unccelearn.org/
The One UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (UN CC:Learn) is a joint initiative of more than 30 multilateral organizations helping countries to achieve climate change action both through general climate literacy and applied skills development. UN CC:Learn provides strategic advice and quality learning resources to help people, governments and businesses to understand, adapt, and build resilience to climate change.
UN SDG:Learn is a United Nations initiative that aims to bring relevant and curated learning solutions on sustainable development topics to individuals and organizations.
UN SDG:Learn
https://www.unsdglearn.org/
Through the collaborative efforts of the United Nations, multilateral organizations, and sustainable development partners from universities, civil society, academia and the private sector, UN SDG:Learn provides a unique gateway that empowers individuals and organizations through an informed decision when selecting among a wealth of SDG-related learning products and services that are currently available.
UN WOMEN Training Centre
https://trainingcentre.unwomen.org/
The UN Women Training Centre eLearning Campus is a global and innovative online platform for training for gender equality. It is open to everybody interested in using training or learning as a means to advance gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s rights.
UNCTAD – United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
UNCTAD e-Learning on Trade
https://elearningtrade.unctad.org/
UNCTAD e-learning on Trade is a platform that hosts multiple courses designed and run by the teams within the Division of International Trade and Commodities of UNCTAD. Currently, the platform provides two categories of courses: Trade, Gender and Development and Non-Tariff Measures in Trade
UNECE – United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
UNECE ‘Standards for the SDGs’ e-learning platform
https://standards4sdgs.unece.org/trainings
This e-learning platform is designed to enhance global understanding of quality infrastructure and its importance for sustainable development.
Courses are open to all and no fee is charged for enrolment. They can be taken independently or be integrated into existing courses, including blended learning courses, for example as an introduction to courses offered in-person.
At present, the platform provides courses in Risk Management in Regulatory Structures, Conformity Assessment, Market Surveillance
UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme
Massive Open Online Courses
https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/education-environment/what-we-do/massive-open-online-courses
UNEP and its partners offer a wide range of courses on critical environmental issues.
Home school with a virtual dive into the ocean (News Story, 27 March 2020):
https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/celebrate-your-love-ocean-virtually
UNESCWA – United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
https://arabsdgs.unescwa.org/
The SDG Knowledge and Learning is an open access electronic platform, established by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA). It contributes to more effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through enhancing the capacities of the Arab countries by disseminating knowledge, promoting learning and providing training in sustainable development.
UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Global Education Coalition for COVID-19 Response — #Learning never stops
https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationglobalcoalition
Distant Learning Solutions
https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse/solutions
Here is a list of educational applications and platforms to help parents, teachers, schools and school systems facilitate student learning and provide social caring and interaction during periods of school closure
National learning platforms and tools
https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse/nationalresponses
UNESCO offers free online courses on freedom of expression and safety of journalists (29 January 2021)
https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-offers-free-online-courses-freedom-expression-and-safety-journalists
UNESCO Memory of the World (MoW) e-learning
https://www.unesco.org/mowcourse
Online course for teachers and educators on how to integrate the MoW International Register in their teaching. The Register consists of important historical items from all over the world, ranging from ancient manuscripts to music to audiovisual materials. Teachers can use it to foster intercultural dialogue, social cohesion and, importantly, to create engaging and creative experiences for their students.
UNFPA – United Nations Population Fund
e-Learning Modules for Midwives
https://www.unfpa.org/resources/e-learning-modules-midwives
Nine multimedia e-learning modules on key maternal and newborn life-saving skills and family planning were developed under the UNFPA/Intel/Jhpiego partnership in 2013.
UN-Habitat
Online classroom
https://unhabitat.org/online-classroom
The online classroom video series is an initiative by UN-Habitat and its partners which grew out of the Academy of Sustainable Urban Mobility (AoSUM). The experience and the knowledge of renowned experts from the private and the public sector will be shared with those who are interested in sustainable urban mobility topics. The classroom series is free and consists of 7 videos, each lasts between 10-15 minutes.
UNHCR – The UN Refugee Agency
UNHCR Learn & Connect
https://unhcr.csod.com/client/unhcr/default.aspx
This learning platform offers UNHCR staff & external partners access to a comprehensive set of learning activities. As well, the platform provides the opportunity for learners to engage with online communities of practice.
UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund
AGORA – UNICEF’s global hub for learning and development
https://agora.unicef.org/
Agora is a free portal offering tailored learning solutions to UNICEF’s staff, partners and supporters.
UNITAR – United Nations Institute for Training and Research
https://www.unitar.org/free-and-open-courses
UNITAR offers courses that run throughout the year or several times a year that are free-of-charge and open to the public.
UNODA – United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
Disarmament Education Dashboard: Expanding Minds for Peace and Development
https://www.disarmamenteducation.org/
A clearing-house dashboard and on-line portal and interactive online training courses, on disarmament, non-proliferation and development issues. Navigate between course catalogues, enrol in the training courses and/or apply for scholarships.
UNODC – United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
UNODC Global eLearning
https://www.unodc.org/elearning/
UNODCs online eLearning courses deliver trainings to a community of over 50,000 Member State officials on international security threats such as transnational organized crime, terrorism, illicit drugs, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, wildlife and forest crime, cybercrime as well as provide training on border control, intelligence analysis, gender issues, anticorruption, HIV/AIDS and human rights.
These courses, developed by leading international experts, enable law enforcement officers and other professionals to expand their knowledge and stay up to date with the international community’s fight against illicit drugs, crime and terrorism experts in line with United Nations standards and norms and other relevant international instruments.
UNOCT – United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism
UNOCT Connect & Learn
https://learn.unoct-connectandlearn.org/
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism launched its new “Connect & Learn” Platform on 1 October 2021 on the margins of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The platform offers the opportunity to users to connect through a Communities of Practice forum and learn through an eLearning component with courses and training modules on counter-terrorism.
Connect: The Communities of Practice forum will enable users to “connect” by bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders including Member States, the private sector, regional organizations, civil society, and academia from across the globe to share information, knowledge, good practices, and lessons learned.
Learn: The platform will offer both self-paced modules and instructor-led training through open courses that are available to all users, and through closed courses that are available through registration or invitation only. Courses on the eLearning Platform will act as a multiplier to existing in-person capacity building training, strengthening the scope and depth of the work of UNOCT.
Connect & Learn: This widely accessible online Platform will contribute to sharing of good practices and lessons learned among practitioner and stakeholder community, and enable easier access point to training content on counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism, allowing UNOCT to reach geographical areas where in-person attendance is not feasible.
UNSSC – United Nations System Staff College
UNSSC offers telecommuters a wide array of learning options
https://www.unssc.org/about-unssc/unssc-offers-telecommuters-wide-array-learning-options/
As the impact of COVID-19 intensifies globally, the UN System Staff College is expanding its array of online offerings to enable UN personnel and partners to sharpen their knowledge and skills from home.
UNSTATS – United Nations Statistics Division
e-Learning Platform of the United Nations Statistics Division
https://elearning-cms.unstats.un.org/
UNODCs online eLearning courses deliver training to a community of over 50,000 Member State officials on international security threats such as transnational organized crime, terrorism, illicit drugs, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, wildlife and forest crime, cybercrime as well as provide training on border control, intelligence analysis, gender issues, anti-corruption, HIV/AIDS and human rights.
UNU-EHS – United Nations University, Institute for Environment and Human Security
eLearning
https://ehs.unu.edu/education/elearning
UNU-EHS recognizes the importance of digitalization in advancing the sustainable development goals and aims at developing and providing educational and capacity building opportunities through online and e-learning technologies.
UNWTO – World Tourism Organization
Tourism Online Academy
https://www.unwto-tourismacademy.ie.edu/
The Tourism Online Academy is an online learning platform that will provide self-paced, 100% online courses that mainly focus on concepts, areas of interest and fundamental principles related to the tourism sector, addressing the challenges it faces such as globalization, the digital revolution, travel marketing and sustainability, among others. These flexible courses allow participants to reconcile academic, professional and other personal commitments.
WFP – World Food Programme
nutx – WFP Nutrition’s Learning Platform
https://cdn.wfp.org/nutrition/nutx/
nutx is WFP Nutrition’s learning platform, designed to share WFP’s experience, lessons learned and research on nutrition free of charge. Our learning resources include self-paced e-learning courses, interactive tests and exercises. We also share nutrition case studies, links to online resources and interesting readings.
WHO – World Health Organization
OpenWHO
https://openwho.org/
OpenWHO is WHO’s interactive, web-based, knowledge-transfer platform offering online courses to improve the response to health emergencies. OpenWHO enables the Organization and its key partners to transfer life-saving knowledge to large numbers of frontline responders.
WHO Academy
https://www.who.int/about/who-academy
A new focus on learning for impact and building competencies to make the world a healthier place. This is the thinking behind the World Health Organization’s new WHO Academy, a state-of-the-art training institution that aims to bring the lifelong learning revolution to the health sector and reach 10 million learners around the world by 2023.
WHO Learning and Training
https://www.who.int/emergencies/training
WHO-Europe – World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe
Training Courses in connection with the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19/training-courses
WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization
WIPO eLearning Center
https://welc.wipo.int/
The rich portfolio of courses on IP caters to different target audiences: inventors and creators, business managers and IP professionals, policymakers and government officials of IP institutions, diplomats, students and teachers of IP and the civil society. Courses combine traditional face-to-face and distance learning methodologies which explain how to stimulate innovation, creativity and development.
WTO – World Trade Organization
WTO distance learning
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/d_learn_e/d_learn_e.htm
The WTO offers on this page several interactive training modules on WTO subjects. Each module is built on course material developed by WTO experts and includes several interactive tests to assess the user’s progress.
WTO trade-related training activities
https://tamis.wto.org/public/activities-catalogue
The WTO launched on 10 February 2021 an online portal to allow individuals to apply online for trade-related technical assistance and training activities. The courses are designed to help government officials and others, such as parliamentarians, strengthen their understanding of trade-related issues.
The new online tool is available via the WTO’s Technical Assistance Management System, which contains information on the targeted audience for each activity and the eligible candidates.
WORLD BANK
World Bank Group Open Learning Campus
https://olc.worldbank.org/
By providing dynamic learning opportunities where diverse audiences can learn at their own pace and access the knowledge they need, the Open Learning Campus (OLC) equips individuals with the knowledge and capabilities to tackle the toughest development challenges. Technology is also changing the learning landscape. The OLC helps scale development learning by offering comprehensive learning curricula with wider access and enhanced learner experience.
