Locations
UNDP Rome Centre and LUISS Partnership
Inspiring Future Leaders in Sustainable Development
UNDP Rome Centre has established a model of partnerships with academia, which aims to and LUISS University work together to equip the next generation of leaders with the knowledge, skills, and global outlook needed to advance sustainable development. The partnership connects academic excellence with practical experience, creating new opportunities for students, researchers, and practitioners to engage with real world climate and development challenges.
About LUISS
LUISS University is a leading academic institution in Italy with a strong international profile in economics, business, law, and political science. Known for its high academic standards, LUISS prepares students for careers in public policy, international affairs, and the private sector, with a strong focus on innovation and leadership.
The Partnership
We share a commitment to shaping informed, responsible leaders who can contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive world. The collaboration bridges academic learning with hands on experience, enabling students to understand how global policy, development cooperation, and climate action translate into concrete solutions.
For UNDP, the partnership brings valuable academic insight, research capacity, and a direct connection to emerging professionals with fresh perspectives. For LUISS, it offers access to UNDP’s expertise, global networks, and practical engagement opportunities that enrich the educational experience.
The partnership focuses on five main initiatives that link academic knowledge with real world impact:
1. Fellowships and Student Engagement
Students and recent graduates have opportunities to gain direct experience with UNDP through fellowships and engagement with the Rome Centre’s work. This allows young professionals to develop practical skills in development cooperation, sustainability, and policy.
2. Teaching and Academic Integration
UNDP contributes to the academic offer at LUISS by sharing expertise, global insights, and practical perspectives from the field of international development. Through the joint course, guest lectures, and learning modules, students are exposed to current trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the development landscape.
3. Research and Joint Learning
The partnership encourages joint research, knowledge exchange, and collaboration on topics linked to sustainable development, climate action, and energy transition. By bringing together academic and UNDP expertise, the partnership supports the creation of insights that can inform policy and practice.
4. Policy Dialogue and Capacity Building
UNDP and LUISS work together to promote dialogue, learning, and collaboration among policymakers, practitioners, and students. Through events, workshops, and capacity building initiatives, the partnership aims to strengthen understanding of global development issues and inspire new approaches to address them.
5. Thesis Award
The partnership also supports academic excellence through an annualThesis Award that recognises outstanding research aligned with sustainable development and UNDP’s areas of work. The award highlights innovative thinking on topics such as global governance, climate and energy, and development finance. It provides visibility to students’ research and creates a pathway for promising graduates to engage further with UNDP’s work and thematic priorities.
The partnership is shaping a long term platform that brings academic knowledge, research, and practical experience together to support sustainable development. By investing in talent, joint learning, and collaboration across policy and practice, UNDP and LUISS aim to contribute to solutions that can inform decision making, strengthen capabilities, and cultivate future leaders who can drive lasting change.
