United Nations University - CRIS

United Nations University - CRIS The United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS) UNU-CRIS is further supported by the Province of West-Flanders.

UNU is a global network of institutes and programmes engaged in research and capacity development to support the universal goals of the UN. It brings together leading scholars from around the world with a view to generate strong and innovative knowledge on how to tackle pressing global problems. UNU-CRIS focuses on the study of processes of regional integration and cooperation and their implicatio

ns. It acts as a resource for the UN system, with particular links to the UN bodies dealing with regional integration, and works in partnership with institutes and initiatives throughout the world that are concerned with issues of integration and cooperation. The overall principles and policies guiding the UNU system are established by the UNU Council. On top of that, UNU-CRIS research and capacity-building activities are informed by the advice of its Advisory Committee, composed of distinguished personalities from different regions of the world. The overall responsibility for the research and management of the Institute is entrusted by the Director of UNU-CRIS. Research is conducted by the permanent academic personnel and by non-resident associate research fellows. UNU-CRIS is based in Bruges (Belgium) at the premises of the Grootseminarie. It receives its core funding from the Flemish Government and collaborates with the College of Europe (Bruges) as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding, instituting their institutional collaboration. As a UN Agency, UNU-CRIS is also a member of the UN Team in Belgium.

11/06/2026

"We don't just study economic theories—we really get to know the work."

🎓 This is how our former student Grace, joining us from China, describes her experience in "Online Master in Economic Policy and Governance for Development and Resilience".

At United Nations University - CRIS, we believe that understanding the complexities of global governance requires more than academic literature; it requires a deep dive into how policies are truly implemented on the ground. Grace’s perspective highlights exactly what we aim for: bridging the gap between high-level economic theory and actionable policy implementation.

Are you ready to turn theory into practice?

Explore the programme and join our international community of future policy leaders: https://unu.edu/cris/masters-degree/online-master-economic-policy-and-governance-development-and-resilience

We are pleased to highlight a significant new publication by our United Nations University - CRIS colleagues Vijay Kumar...
10/06/2026

We are pleased to highlight a significant new publication by our United Nations University - CRIS colleagues Vijay Kumar Chattu, Nidhi Nagabhatla, and Philippe De Lombaerde, published in Health Promotion Prespectives.

⚕️ "Cross-Border Cooperation for One Health in Central Asia: Strengthening Systems and Securing Futures through Regional Health Diplomacy" explores how regional cooperation can transform health security.

Key insights from the study:
• The authors demonstrate how Central Asia is moving away from fragmented national health strategies toward an integrated, regional "One Health" framework.

• The paper identifies "Regional Health Diplomacy" (RHD) as the essential tool for implementing multi-sectoral health governance.

• This approach is not just about medical outcomes; it is a transformative strategy for regional integration, positioning Central Asia as a potential knowledge hub for global "One Health" implementation.

At a time when infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food insecurity are crossing borders more than ever, this research offers a critical roadmap for coordinated, cross-border action.

📖 Access the full article here: https://hpptbzmed.com/Article/hpp-45299

🌍 How can the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) navigate the complexities of the 21st century without compromising national...
04/06/2026

🌍 How can the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) navigate the complexities of the 21st century without compromising national sovereignty?

In our latest United Nations University - CRIS Working Paper, Mohammed Alotaibi proposes a new framework for Gulf regionalism: Functionally Differentiated Regionalism.

🤝 Moving beyond traditional models, which often prioritise rigid political unions, this research argues that the future of Gulf integration lies in strategic cooperation. By pooling critical functions—such as air and missile defense, cybersecurity, data governance, and supply-chain resilience—member states can build a collective "strategic shield" while maintaining their separate national markets.

Why does this matter?
🏛️ In an era of deep digital and infrastructural interdependence, relying solely on national isolation can lead to vulnerability. This functional approach suggests a more pragmatic path: creating institutions that are flexible, reversible, and designed to address specific strategic needs where fragmentation is too costly.

🗺️ This paper offers a roadmap to 2030, re-imagining how regional systems can sense, adapt, and act in a shared strategic environment.

⛓️‍💥 Read the full Working Paper here: https://unu.edu/publication/gcc-regional-operating-system-differentiated-sovereignty-and-future-gulf-regionalism

A new week and a new month at United Nations University - CRIS kicked off with our traditional lunch seminar! 🥗🧠Our regu...
03/06/2026

A new week and a new month at United Nations University - CRIS kicked off with our traditional lunch seminar! 🥗🧠

Our regular lunch gatherings are more than just a break; they are the heart of our vibrant research community. This week, we had the pleasure of diving into diverse and cutting-edge topics presented by our colleagues:

Filippo Marinoni sparked a thought-provoking discussion on "The Western Balkan 'region' as an EU invention".

Till Brüggemann & Laura Eglīte shared their innovative work on "AI Chatbot for Delivering Psychological First Aid to Climate Disaster Survivors via Cellular and Offline Mesh Networking".

Thiago Moraes provided insights into his research on "rightsholders engagement in AI regulatory sandboxes".

These informal sessions held in person allow us to exchange ideas, challenge our perspectives, and strengthen the collaborative spirit that defines UNU-CRIS.

A big thank you to our PhD Committee for organising this insightful session.

*Photos captured during the presentations by Filippo Marinoni and the team of Till Brüggeman & Laura Eglite.

🌍 In an era where the world's most pressing issues do not respect national borders, how do we craft effective policy?For...
03/06/2026

🌍 In an era where the world's most pressing issues do not respect national borders, how do we craft effective policy?

For our "Online Master in Economic Policy and Governance for Development and Resilience", we believe the answer lies in understanding power dynamics across local, regional, and global levels.

We are proud to feature Frank Mattheis, who coordinates the course "Regionalism and Inter-regionalism in Development" in the specialisation track on "Multi-level governance of global challenges". As a Research Fellow at United Nations University - CRIS and the coordinator of the Regions and Cities Governance Lab (Re-LAB), Prof. Mattheis brings world-class expertise in the governance dynamics of regional integration to our virtual classrooms.

"Our world's biggest challenges—from climate change to peace—don't respect borders. This Master programme equips students with the tools to understand how power and policy are negotiated in complex environments across different levels, from local to regional to global."

— Prof. Frank Mattheis

Why should you join this programme?
• To learn how to navigate the interplay between regionalism, sovereignty, and territoriality.

• To gain insights from governance processes in Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

• To develop the analytical skills required to bridge the gap between policy and complex, multi-level environments.

Are you ready to build the resilience needed to govern in an interconnected world?

🔗 Explore our curriculum and specialisation tracks:https://unu.edu/sites/default/files/2026-04/MEP%20%288%29.pdf
🔗 Read more about the programme details: https://unu.edu/cris/masters-degree/online-master-economic-policy-and-governance-development-and-resilience

🇪🇺 How do EU Member States navigate the tension between border security and social inclusion?Our latest UNU-CRIS Insight...
02/06/2026

🇪🇺 How do EU Member States navigate the tension between border security and social inclusion?

Our latest UNU-CRIS Insight Brief by Miquela Kallenberger offers a compelling comparison of two clashing directions in migration governance: the restrictive framework of the European Union versus the regularisation initiatives in Spain.

The Policy Contrast:
• The EU Perspective: Recent European Parliament decisions signal a shift toward externalisation and deterrence. By expanding "safe third country" transfers and accelerating asylum procedures, the EU is prioritising security, efficiency, and the formalisation of returns.

• The Spanish Perspective: In contrast, Spain has launched a massive regularisation scheme—driven by a citizen-led initiative—to provide legal pathways for over 500,000 undocumented migrants, aiming to formalise labor participation and strengthen social cohesion.

Why it matters:
These parallel developments demonstrate that migration governance in Europe is not a monolith. Instead, it is increasingly fragmented, with Member States often pursuing strategies that diverge sharply from the EU’s collective security-oriented mandates.

Understanding these divergent strategies is critical for anyone interested in the future of human mobility and regional governance.

📖 Read and download the full paper here: https://unu.edu/publication/contrasting-directions-migration-governance-comparing-spain-and-eus-recent-initiatives

🎓 Master Your Foundations: The Core of Our Policy CurriculumWhat does it take to navigate the complex challenges of the ...
01/06/2026

🎓 Master Your Foundations: The Core of Our Policy Curriculum

What does it take to navigate the complex challenges of the 21st century? Our "Online Master in Economic Policy and Governance for Development and Resilience" is built on a rigorous, interdisciplinary core that bridges theory and practice.

Our four core courses provide the essential tools for any policy professional:
• Governance of Global Challenges: Explore the institutional, political, and ethical dilemmas shaping our world through systems thinking and resilience frameworks.

• Topics in Economic Theory: Gain a structured foundation in micro and macroeconomics, focusing on how models guide policy thinking regarding efficiency, trade, and market failures.

• Core Skills for Professional Practice: Develop essential transferable skills, including structured policy writing, negotiation, digital collaboration, and strategic career planning.

• Policy Lab: Step into the role of a policy analyst by collaborating on real-world problems, from diagnosis to actionable recommendations. Beyond these, students enhance their expertise by choosing from our advanced methods and specialized tracks.

Ready to build a solid foundation for your career?

Apply by June 30, 2026.

🔗 https://unu.edu/cris/masters-degree/online-master-economic-policy-and-governance-development-and-resilience

🌿 Beyond Green Recovery: Linking Environmental Rehabilitation to Health Resilience in the Aral Sea RegionThe Aral Sea cr...
29/05/2026

🌿 Beyond Green Recovery: Linking Environmental Rehabilitation to Health Resilience in the Aral Sea Region

The Aral Sea crisis remains a stark warning of what happens when environmental mismanagement meets climate change. Today, as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan pursue ambitious green transitions, a critical opportunity has emerged: to align environmental recovery with a comprehensive health resilience agenda.

We are pleased to share the new policy brief: "Green Transition and Health Resilience in the Aral Sea Region: Spotlighting the Interconnectedness"

Authored by a multi-disciplinary team, including our colleagues from UNU-CRIS (Philippe De Lombaerde, Nidhi Nagabhatla, Sabit Orynbassar, and Vijay Kumar Chattu), this brief argues that climate action is incomplete without a direct focus on community health.

Key insights from the brief:
• The crisis has created intergenerational health risks, from chronic respiratory and cardiovascular stress to waterborne diseases and mental health challenges.

• Environmental rehabilitation is not a luxury—it is the foundation of public health. We must synchronise economic restructuring with health system strengthening.

• The transition to a green economy must prioritise community adaptation capacities and robust environmental monitoring to ensure a resilient future.

This brief provides a clear roadmap for policymakers aiming to tackle the complex nexus of climate change and well-being.

📖 Read and download the paper here: https://unu.edu/publication/green-transition-and-health-resilience-aral-sea-region-spotlighting-interconnectedness

🧠🤖 Navigating eco-anxiety: Why do we need coordinated EU policy on AI-driven mental health?Climate-related distress, suc...
28/05/2026

🧠🤖 Navigating eco-anxiety: Why do we need coordinated EU policy on AI-driven mental health?

Climate-related distress, such as eco-anxiety and solastalgia, is becoming a chronic reality for many. While AI-driven mental health tools like chatbots are proliferating, our latest United Nations University - CRIS policy brief reveals a critical oversight: these digital solutions are largely disconnected from public health systems and fail to address the unique, long-term nature of climate-related trauma.

"AI-Enabled Mental-Health Interventions for Climate-Related Distress: A Call for Coordinated EU Policy Action" authored by Wafi Ara Faruqui, Nidhi Nagabhatla, and Sanae Okamoto, this brief examines why existing digital frameworks remain fragmented and insufficiently aligned with climate resilience planning.

Critical research & policy gaps identified by the brief:
📉 Commercial vs. Clinical: The divide between profit-driven apps and evidence-based public health interventions.

🛡️ Lack of Safeguards: The absence of specific emergency protocols for climate-distress crises within AI governance.

⚖️ Digital Inequity: How persistent inequalities exacerbate the mental health burden on climate-vulnerable populations.

🔐 Governance Weaknesses: Ethical and data-management gaps that threaten user safety.

To move from theory to practice, the brief introduces an Action Priority Matrix. This tool helps policymakers sort recommendations by impact and implementation effort—ranging from immediate regulatory standards to long-term interdisciplinary AI literacy.

📖 Read the full Policy Brief and explore the Action Priority Matrix: https://unu.edu/publication/ai-enabled-mental-health-interventions-climate-related-distress-call-coordinated-eu

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