Regional Academy on the United Nations

14/04/2026

🗣️ Applications are now open for the RAUN 2026–2027 Research Programme!

The RAUN Research Programme welcomes Master’s and PhD students, as well as recent graduates (within one year of graduation), from all academic disciplines, aged 21–35.

🔍 This year’s theme:
Human security in a fragmented world and the age of emerging technologies
In a rapidly evolving global landscape, technological advances and geopolitical fragmentation are reshaping how we understand security and resilience. Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary perspectives and international collaboration.

💡 What the programme offers:
- Engagement with pressing global challenges at the intersection of policy and society;
- A policy-oriented and international environment; and
- Exchange with experts and peers from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

📅 Deadline: 24 May 2026, 23:59 CEST
🔗 Apply here: https://www.ra-un.org/current-admission

24/03/2026

📸 RAUN Photographer Call

Global Transformation for the Future Generations
🗓 13–15 May 2026

We’re looking for photographer(s) to capture a high-level international programme.

✨ Requirements:
• Event photography/video experience
• Professional camera
• Deliver high-quality, social-ready visuals
• 📌 Portfolio required

📍 Vienna (preferred)
💼 Solo or small team (123)
💰 ~€200

📅 Apply by: 20 April
📢 Results: 30 April

👉 CLICK HERE TO APPLY: https://bit.ly/4lYeJtV

Please read the Call for Photographers document (attached) and application form (link above) for details.

If you have additional questions, please write to us at
[email protected]

21/11/2025

Day 3, and final day, of our 1st RAUN Conference. The day started with a talk on Climate Change from Jeroen van der Bergh and ended with a panel discussion with our RAUN alumni.

Thank you for everyone - students, organizers, speakers and alumni - who made this conference the success it was. Good luck for our RAUN students for the rest of the year y nos vemos pronto en Vienna!!☀️

19/11/2025

Day 2 of our Conference was enriched by sessions on Youth & Future Generations by Cecilia Vera Lagomarsino & Assel Murat, followed by a discussion on Ethics & Technology by Paula Boet Serrano & Milou Jensen. Thank you for our wonderful speakers for the thought-provoking discussions!

As has become tradition, Day 2 ended with a team dinner. 🍻🍷

04/11/2025

Some more behind the scenes of Day 1 🙌
Our first day in Barcelona was focused on Introductions, Icebreakers and an insightful session on Healthcare Economics from WHO’s Lynn Tayara and Sarah Thompson.

🧠 Interdisciplinary and intercultural discussions are a huge part of what makes RAUN so special.

29/10/2025

29/10/2025

Two weeks ago, the new RAUN Cohort gathered in Barcelona for their first in-person meeting! 🌍✨

It was an energetic and inspiring three days of learning, collaboration, and networking.
We are deeply grateful for the generous support of the Catalan Government, the Inter-University Council of Catalonia, and the Autonomous University of Barcelona, who hosted us and made it possible to begin our learning journey in this beautiful city.

A special thank-you to Deputy Director Laia Carbonell Agustín and Secretary General Xavier Oscar Martínez-Celorrio and Vice-Rector Oscar Jané Checa for joining us to officially kick off this year’s program!

Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to Central Europe

30/07/2025

📍 RAUN Final Conference 2025 | Day 3 Highlights
📅 Friday, 11 July 2025
📍 United Nations Office at Vienna

Our final day was filled with powerful presentations, reflection, and celebration. 💙✨

🌍 The final panel, Corruption, Development & Environment
Moderated by Daniela Sota Valdivia (UNODC, Vienna)
🔹Community Engagement as an Anti-Corruption Tool for Climate Adaptation: Its Opportunities and Limitations in Indonesia
Mentors: Daniela Sota Valdivia (UNODC, Vienna) & Putri Rahayu Wijayanti (UNODC, Jakarta)
🔹Impact of Conflict on Low-carbon R&D Investments and Labour Market Transitions: A Study in the Context of the Russia-Ukraine War
Mentor: Dr. José Luis Viveros Añorve (ILO, Geneva)

🏛️ UN Headquarters Tour
A special chance to explore the inner workings of the UN in Vienna, always a highlight!

💼 UN Career Session
The UN Human Resources team shared tips and insights, followed by two inspiring RAUN alumni stories about launching their careers in international organizations. 🌐✨

🔄 Reflection Session
We gathered honest and constructive feedback from the cohort, thank you for helping shape RAUN’s future!

🎙️ Honoured to hear from Michael Platzer, who reminded us of the lasting impact of youth engagement.

🎓 Graduation Ceremony
Certificates were awarded by Michael Platzer, Billy Batware, and Mariia (Masha) Kostetckaia, beautifully captured in photos by Isabel Sáenz Hernández! 📸

🙌 We began the journey with 41 young researchers and wrapped it up with the same 41, a rare and proud milestone for RAUN’s 13th cohort. You’ve been insightful, collaborative, and full of energy.

🥂 We ended the conference with a joyful evening gathering, full of laughter, celebration, and well-deserved cheer!

📅 Up next: RAUN 14th cohort launches October 13–15, 2025 in Barcelona, stay tuned!

29/07/2025

📍 RAUN Final Conference 2025 | Day 2 Highlights
📅 Thursday, 10 July 2025
📍 OSCE Hofburg, Vienna

Day 2 of RAUN 2025 brought us to the historic OSCE Hofburg, where we spent the day with high-level delegates, policy discussions and youth-led research presentations. 🏛️✨

🔐 The morning began with split parallel sessions:
🔹 Group A attended the OSCE Permanent Council
🔹 Group B joined an insightful session on Women in Diplomacy hosted by senior OSCE officials.
Later, the groups swapped for round two with a second speaker 👩‍💼🌍

🎤 Official Opening – RAUN @ OSCE
We were honoured with powerful words from:
• The Director of the OSCE Office of the Secretary General
• The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
• The Chair of the OSCE Permanent Council
• The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
• The Director of OSCE ODIHR (via video)
• The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (via video)
• The Special Representative of the OSCE Chair-in-Office on Youth
Moderated by: Media Freedom Project Officer, OSCE RFoM

📑 Policy Paper Sessions I & II – Youth-led, Insight-driven
Moderated by youth representatives of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Chair-in-Office
🧠 Topics ranged from media freedom & disinformation to AI governance & digital sovereignty across the OSCE region.

👏 Huge shoutout to our RAUN mentors from OSCE RFoM, ODIHR, and beyond – thank you for guiding the next generation of changemakers!

✨ Special applause to Cecilia Vera Lagomarsino for spearheading and organizing the OSCE Youth Event with the support of her esteemed colleagues: Gorcia Atanasova-Gjorevska, Marina Barreiro Mariño, Goran Tanevski, and Cristian.

☕ We wrapped up with a well-deserved break and a relaxed social evening.

💬 Stay tuned for Day 3, where we close the conference with powerful reflections and next steps!


👉 Tag yourselves if you were there!

28/07/2025

📍 RAUN Final Conference 2025 | Day 1 Highlights
📅 Wednesday, 9 July 2025
📍 United Nations Office at Vienna & Diplomatic Academy of Vienna

The final RAUN 2025 Conference officially kicked off at the United Nations in Vienna! 🌍✨

🗣️ We opened with warm and powerful welcome remarks from:
• Billy Batware, RAUN Founder, UNODC
• Irene Hoeglinger-Neiva, UNIS Vienna

🎙️ Our keynote address was delivered by Angela Me, Chief of Research at UNODC, setting an insightful tone for the day ahead.

💡 Panel 1: Civil Society & Institutional Reform
Moderated by Billy Batware (UNODC) & Cecilia Vera Lagomarsino
→ Topics: Youth engagement in preventing transnational organized crime & refugee inclusion in elite sport and sport-related livelihoods 🏃‍♀️🌐

🌱 Panel 2: Public Health & Climate Adaptation
Moderated by Dr. Elizabeth Saenz (UNODC)
→ Topics: Access to medicines in Argentina & child-sensitive climate adaptation in Madagascar 🌍👧

🧠 Panel 3: Anti-Corruption & Gender-Tech Leadership
Moderated by Bianca Kopp (UNODC)
→ Exploring youth & corruption, and how AI and data can empower women and girls in the sustainable energy transition 🌐⚡👩‍💼

🍸 We wrapped up Day 1 with a lovely reception at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, featuring:
• Amb. Dr. Emil Brix, Director, Diplomatic Academy

🎉 A strong start to three days of global dialogue, youth-led research, and expert collaboration!

Stay tuned for Day 2!


👉 Please tag yourselves!

26/05/2025

🚨 Deadline has been extended for the 1st of June! 🚨

There's still time to recommend RAUN to a friend, work and submit an application.

More information below and on our website.

🗣️ Deadline approaching but there's still time to apply to our RAUN 2025–2026 Research Program!

This is a perfect program for young researchers passionate about evidence-based impact!
Theme: Global Transformation for Future Generations
Deadline to Apply: May 25, 2025 – 23:59 CET

How & Where to Apply: https://www.ra-un.org/current-admission
🌍 We face a rapidly changing world with both incredible potential & significant risks. From misinformation to climate change, global transformation is essential for a sustainable future. Let's shape a more just, resilient world for future generations.