Sea and Human Security Training – Leaders for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Call for Applications

UNITAR invites participants from Asia and Pacific Island countries to apply for the “Leaders for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Sea and Human Security” training programme. This training aims to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills in sea and human security and leadership. The programme is free of charge, supported financially by the Government and People of Japan. The application deadline is 7 June 2024.

About the Programme

Date: 21 June 2024
Location: Online, with subsequent in-person workshops in Fiji, Indonesia, and Japan
Language: English
Certification: UNITAR certificate of completion upon meeting course requirements

Eligibility: Open to motivated government officials, private sector employees, and civil society members from Asian and Pacific Island countries.

Programme Overview

Objective: To provide participants with the necessary skills, knowledge, and capacity to enhance climate, social, economic, food, and maritime security, and establish a coordination mechanism across the Pacific. By the end of the programme, participants will develop policy briefs and individual action plans to address regional challenges and enhance resilience.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Enhance knowledge of sea and human security
• Promote economic security through trade, market access, fisheries, and tourism
• Enhance food and climate security with stable, climate-resilient food production and effective trading and transportation
• Nurture environmental security and maritime cooperation, including regional monitoring, disaster response, and emergency rescue operations

Programme Phases

Phase I (June to August 2024):
Approximately 400 leaders and government officials will enrol in a self-paced online course covering general topics on sea and human security. Participants will also join webinars and access supplemental resources.

Phase II (September and October 2024):
160 selected participants will attend regional in-person workshops in Fiji (Pacific cohort) and Indonesia (Asian cohort). They will receive mentoring and coaching to refine their projects while enhancing leadership and teamwork skills.

Phase III (February 2025):
50 top performers from Phase II will be invited to Japan for a workshop including study tours, lectures, and discussions with Japanese institutions, private companies, and entrepreneurs. The top six teams will be recognized as “UNITAR Shimanami Masterminds 2024” and invited to make final pitches at the conference.

*Timing and content may change.

Eligibility Criteria

The programme is open to motivated individuals from the public and private sectors and civil society organizations who are:

• Eager to learn and apply new knowledge to enhance sea and human security
• Keen to succeed and make a positive impact on their countries and communities
• Proficient in English
• Computer literate, with access to the internet and an electronic device (e.g., computer, tablet, or smartphone)
• Committed to completing the programme

Eligible countries include:

Indo-Pacific Island Countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste.

How to Apply

To learn more about the programme and the application submission process, please visit the UNITAR website.

Download the programme flyer: UNITAR Free and Open Indo-Pacific Training Programme Flyer (750.63 KB)

Apply Here: Register Now. The application deadline is 7 June 2024.

About UNITAR

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a dedicated training arm of the United Nations. In 2022, UNITAR trained over 395,000 learners globally to support their actions for a better future. UNITAR has a global presence, with offices in Geneva, Hiroshima, New York, and Bonn, and networks around the world.

UNITAR’s Division for Prosperity offers world-class learning and knowledge-sharing services to current and future change-makers worldwide. We aim to promote sustainable, inclusive, and just economic development and catalyse the creation of decent employment opportunities. Our focus is on supporting youth and women to address growing inequalities, propelling the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals for an inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous world.