Welcome to the UN Innovation Network

The UN Innovation Network (UNIN) is an informal, collaborative community of UN innovators from across the UN. In addition to promoting innovation overall, UNIN also hosts UN Groups on specific topics. UNIN is open to innovators from all UN Entities as well as external partners.

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December 6, 2023
FAO

Harvesting change: Harnessing emerging technologies and innovations for agrifood (Global foresight synthesis report systems transformation)

We find ourselves amidst an era marked by an unprecedented polycrisis, where our agrifood systems grapple with challenges that demand attention. Technology and innovation emerge as powerful tools to transform agrifood systems.

November 30, 2023

Digital Journey - UNDP's Perspective

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November 28, 2023

Designing a Youth-centred Journey to the Future - A Youth Foresight Playbook

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November 27, 2023

Futures Cards To Shape Inclusive Foresight

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November 17, 2023

Using large language models to help train machine learning SDG classifiers

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November 30, 2023
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Digital Journey - UNDP's Perspective

UNDP's Gayan Peiris discusses UNDP's digital landscape

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November 9, 2023
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Scaling Social Innovation: A Ugandan Case Study

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November 6, 2023
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Trends in AI and Perspectives on Transparency

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November 2, 2023
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Generative AI and Jobs: Understanding the Potential Effects of Gen-AI on the Quantity and Quality of Jobs

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October 5, 2023
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Large Language Models: ChatGPT, Bard, 悟道

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December 6, 2023
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Harvesting change: Harnessing emerging technologies and innovations for agrifood (Global foresight synthesis report systems transformation)

We find ourselves amidst an era marked by an unprecedented polycrisis, where our agrifood systems grapple with challenges that demand attention. Technology and innovation emerge as powerful tools to transform agrifood systems.

December 6, 2023
Learn more
November 28, 2023
|

Designing a Youth-centred Journey to the Future - A Youth Foresight Playbook

Learn more
November 27, 2023
|

Futures Cards To Shape Inclusive Foresight

Learn more
November 17, 2023
|

Using large language models to help train machine learning SDG classifiers

Learn more
November 9, 2023
|

The Contribution of Behavioral Science to Addressing the Social and Wider Determinants of Health

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"Without innovation, there is no way we can overcome the challenges of our time." António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations

UN Groups

UNIN's UN Groups dive deeper into selected innovation areas to allow for deeper exchange in more specialised fields.

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February 17, 2022
Proof of Concept

Bike Ambulances to improve Emergency Obstetric Care in Rural Areas

Maternal mortality and morbidity rates remain high in Cote d’Ivoire. It is estimated that more than six women out of a thousand are dying while delivering birth, while 0.7% of the women of childbearing age have fistula in the country (MICS, 2016). While the strengthening of the health system is taking place, women in the country, especially in the rural area, stay vulnerable to the high risk of maternal death and morbidity. From behavioral perspectives, the barriers that leads to the three delays–(1) deciding to seek care; (2) identifying and reaching a medical facility; (3) receiving adequate and appropriate treatment may include the following (Cichowitz et al., 2018): Factors related to the first delay: social norms (community prefers to deliver at home), limited transportation and health care services at night, and negative experience in hospitals in the past (lack of trust). Factors related to the second delay of reaching a medical facility: a lack of available transportation, long travel times, and perception of high medical costs (walking 36.5%, car 34.6%, bus 13.5%, and motorcycle 13.5% in case of a study in Tanzania). In this context, this rapid prototyping initiative seeks to develop a new low-cost, safe transportation for women to prevent maternal mortality and morbidity in rural areas, by tackling the barriers that often lead to delay of emergency obstetric care (EmOC). It also aims to collect and utilize the GPS data/information of the bike ambulances to enable regional hospitals and the government to make better decisions in providing care, utilize hospital ambulances efficiently, and enhance communication between the care-seeker and care-provider.

About the UN Innovation Network

The UN Innovation Network (UNIN) is an informal, collaborative community of UN innovators interested in sharing their expertise and experience with others to promote and advance innovation within the UN System.

The Network hosts regular knowledge sharing sessions, helps Entities share tools, resources and best practices for innovating in the UN and offers advice on how to build structures to promote innovation, activate innovation partnerships and create a culture of innovation in their organisations.

UNIN is open to innovators from all UN Entities and to date, colleagues from over 70 entities in over 180 countries have joined the Network.

The UN Innovation Network is jointly chaired and funded by UNDP, UNICEF and WFP.

UNIN Organisational Members

UNIN Co-Chairs

Join the UN Innovation Network

We encourage everyone interested in innovation - from all across the UN and beyond - to join the UN Innovation Network to collaborate, share experiences and innovate for the Sustainable Development Goals.

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