Research Resources
The following academic research institutes, think tans and non-governmental organizations frequently produce information related to Canadian areas of interest at the United Nations. Content on these sites is independent and does not necessarily reflect Canadian foreign policy positions. The descriptions below are quoted directly from the organizations' web sites.
Academic Council on the United Nations System
ACUNS is a professional association of educational and research institutions and individual scholars, teachers, and practitioners active in the work and study of multilateral relations, global governance, and international cooperation. Through our core activities ACUNS stimulates, supports, and disseminates research and analysis on the United Nations, multilateralism, and international organization. ACUNS also promotes teaching on these topics, as well as dialogue and mutual understanding across and between the academic and practitioner communities. A special effort is made to ensure that advanced research conducted in universities finds its way into the programs of the UN system.
CANADEM
Established in 1996, Canadem is a non-profit agency dedicated to advancing international peace and security through the rostering, rapid mobilization, and mission management of experts committed to international service.
Canadian International Council (CIC)
The Canadian International Council (CIC) is a non-partisan, nationwide foreign policy council established to strengthen Canada's foreign policy. It promotes research and dialogue on international affairs issues through a national network that crosses academic disciplines, policy areas and economic sectors.
Center on International Cooperation (CIC NYU)
The NYU Center on International Cooperation (CIC) works to enhance multilateral responses to global problems, including: conflict, humanitarian crises, and recovery; international security challenges, including weapons proliferation and the changing balance of power; and resource scarcity and climate change. Through innovative applied research and direct engagement with policy actors, CIC has been at the forefront of policy decision-making in each of its core areas of research.
Centre d'études et de recherches internationales de l'Université de Montréal (CÉRIUM) (French only)
The Centre d’études et de recherches internationales (CÉRIUM) (Center for international study and research) seeks to enhance the development of knowledge on international issues. This mission is accomplished through various research, training and outreach activities.
Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is an independent, nonpartisan think tank on international governance. Led by experienced practitioners and distinguished academics, CIGI supports research, forms networks, advances policy debate and generates ideas for multilateral governance improvements. Conducting an active agenda of research, events and publications, CIGI's interdisciplinary work includes collaboration with policy, business and academic communities around the world.
Center for UN Reform Education
The Center for U.N. Reform Education is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit policy research organization. Founded in 1978, the mission of the Center is to encourage, generate and sustain discussion of various specific proposals to reform and restructure the United Nations through its website; its monographs, papers and books; and its fora and conferences.
Chaire Raoul-Dandurand en études stratégiques et diplomatiques (French only)
Created in 1996 and located at the Université du Québec à Montréal, the Chaire Raoul-Dandurand en études stratégiques et diplomatiques (Raoul-Dandurand Chair in strategic and diplomatic studies) reaches out to universities, state agencies, international organizations, public sector organizations and the general public with analysis and publication of information and knowledge regarding strategic and diplomatic issues.
Henry L. Stimson Center
The Stimson Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan institution devoted to enhancing international peace and security through a unique combination of rigorous analysis and outreach. The Stimson Center's work is focused on three priorities that are essential to global security: strengthening institutions for international peace and security, building regional security, and reducing weapons of mass destruction and transnational threats.
International Crisis Group
The International Crisis Group is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation committed to preventing and resolving deadly conflict.
International Peace Institute (IPI)
The International Peace Institute is an independent, international not-for-profit think tank with a staff representing more than 20 nationalities, located in New York across from United Nations headquarters. IPI is dedicated to promoting the prevention and settlement of conflicts between and within states by strengthening international peace and security institutions. To achieve its purpose, IPI employs a mix of policy research, convening, publishing and outreach.
Human Security Report Project
The Human Security Report Project (HSRP) is an independent research centre affiliated with Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Vancouver, Canada. The HSRP tracks global and regional trends in organized violence, their causes and consequences. Research findings and analyses are published in the Human Security Report, Human Security Brief series, and the miniAtlas of Human Security. HSRP publications have received major coverage in the international media and are regularly cited by national governments, international agencies, and NGOs, as well as the research community. The HSRP also produces a range of online data, research, and news resources covering a broad range of global security issues.
Liu Institute for Global Issues
Named after Dr. Jieh Jow Liou, the Liu Institute conducts and facilitates research on global issues, mobilizing knowledge into solutions and policy. One of sixteen research units in the College for Interdisciplinary Studies (CFIS), the Institute takes an interdisciplinary problem-solving approach to explore new ideas and ways of learning to catalyze innovative thinking and positive societal change. Its current focus is on advancing sustainability, security, and social justice: understood as moving toward economic, social, and environmental interactions that promote the well-being of people in ways that are just, equitable, and sustainable.
Munk Centre for International Studies
The Centre promotes advanced interdisciplinary research and teaching across a broad range of fields, including international political economy, international relations, economic and social development, cultural studies, conflict management, and economic geography.
Pearson Peacekeeping Centre
Vision: To be a world leader in peace operations thinking and learning. Mission: Make peace operations more effective through research, education, training and capacity building. We connect civilians, military and police through research-led capacity building programs, training and education activities. We also bring together academics, field experts and institutions to facilitate discussions and research that improve peace operations all over the world.
Security Council Report
Security Council Report is an independent not-for-profit organisation in affiliation with Columbia University's Center on International Organization. The vision for Security Council Report stems from the belief that the lack of consistent, high quality, publicly-available information about the Council's activities—and those of its subordinate bodies—is a consistent barrier to the effective performance of the Council itself as well as constituting a major handicap for the member states at large, and the wider public. Security Council Report seeks to fill this gap by establishing an independent professional capacity, supported by a first-rate research staff, to provide timely, accurate and objective information and analysis on the activities of the Security Council.
Stanley Foundation
The Stanley Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, private operating foundation. Foundation programming is focused on promoting and building support for principled multilateralism in addressing international issues. Vision: The Stanley Foundation seeks a secure peace with freedom and justice, built on world citizenship and effective global governance. Mission: The Stanley Foundation promotes public understanding, constructive dialogue, and cooperative action on critical international issues. Our work recognizes the essential roles of both the policy community and the broader public in building sustainable peace.
UNICEF Canada
UNICEF Canada proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005. It all began in 1955 when the Canadian UNICEF Committee was formed to organize the first Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign. This campaign, which now raises over $3 million a year, has become a time-honoured tradition – so much so that October 31 is National UNICEF Day by declaration of the Government of Canada. Through the decades, UNICEF Canada has grown into a recognized national symbol for the world’s children and the most visible United Nations presence across the country. UNICEF Canada’s mandate is to raise funds in support of UNICEF’s work for children in more than 150 countries and territories and build awareness among Canadians about the issues facing the world’s children.
United Nations Association in Canada
The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) is a national charitable organization established in 1946. Our mandate is to engage the Canadian public in the work of the United Nations and the critical international issues which affect us all. We accomplish our goals through a dynamic staff team at the National Office and a network of volunteer-driven regional branches.
UN Foundation
The United Nations Foundation links the UN’s work with others around the world, mobilizing the energy and expertise of business and non-governmental organizations to help the UN tackle issues including climate change, children’s health, peace and security, and poverty eradication.
World Federation of United Nations Associations
WFUNA is a global nonprofit organization representing and coordinating a membership of over 100 national United Nations Associations (UNAs) and their thousands of constituents. Guided by our vision of a United Nations that is a powerful force in meeting common global challenges and opportunities, WFUNA works to strengthen and improve the United Nations. We achieve this through the engagement of people who share a global mindset and support international cooperation – global citizens.
