The UNU Jargon Buster app Launched on ‘World Science Day for Peace and Development’

Howard Hudson, 10 November 2015

Cross-cultural dialogue: A sad history

Conquistador: “We have come to speak with you of God, civilization and truth.”

Aztec priest: “But of course: what do you want to know?” Ulrich Beck, 1997

More power = more subjectivity?

“There is no state with a democracy except Libya

on the whole planet.” Muammar Gaddafi, 2006

Empty global buzzwords?

“Few words have become more heavily used or abused in government

or corporate affairs than ‘sustainable’.” Bill Jamieson, 2009

What is the UNU Jargon Buster?

Not a dictionary, nor an encyclopaedia, nor a holy book.

A glossary: a collection of knowledge and recommended resources.

A one-stop shop, always in your pocket, that works offline…

To be used…

On a research trip…

At a lecture…

At a conference…

Between specialist teams…

An active glossary, with an offline core

Is it a work in progress? Yes. Are there many terms still to be added? Yes.

Because it’s only the start and it’s a living instrument. Plan x10 in 2016.

Instant search:

Results appear

as you type

Browse by

source

Missing term?

Crowdsourcing via

app@merit.unu.edu

Share via email,

whatsapp, etc.

References and

further reading:

most with

hyperlinks

App filtered by institute & goal

Env. Sustainability: Tokyo / Maastricht. Migration, Innovation: Maastricht.

Regional Integration: Bruges. International Health: Kuala Lumpur.

Gender Equality: Reykjavik. Overall to bridge SDG 4 & 16.

Why civil engagement? Lack of understanding…

Part of UNU’s wider work on SDGs

‘17 Days, 17 Goals’ blog series: Research commentary ahead

of the UN Sustainable Development Summit, 25-27 Sep 2015

What is United Nations University?

UNU has 13 research & training sites in 12 countries, working on

Peace and Governance, Global Development, Environmental Sustainability

In the Netherlands: 75 staff,100 PhD fellows, 140 Master students

Top 3 Innovation Institute worldwide

Nurturing grassroots?

UNU-INRA

Ghana

UNU-CS

Macao

UNU-IIGH

Malaysia

UNU-BIOLAC

Venezuela

UNU Charter

“The University shall disseminate the knowledge gained in its activities to

the UN and its agencies, to scholars and to the public, in order to increase

dynamic interaction… It shall endeavour to alleviate the intellectual

isolation of persons in… developing countries…”

= helping people to think for themselves…

UNU Strategic Plan

1. Own channels

2. External channels

3. Current partnerships

4. Nascent partnerships

“...more resources are being devoted

to innovative means of messaging...

UNU researchers will also continue to

be encouraged to work together

across UNU institutes…

thus… delivering a truly unique,

multidisciplinary perspective.”

Contributors include…

Hugo Hollanders

Senior Innovation Researcher Dr. Özge Bilgili

Migration Researcher

Dr. Carlos Cadena Gaitán

Future Sustainability Leader

Award 2015

So please download…

hudson@merit.unu.edu