The UNESCO Chairs Programme, which was established in 1992, involves over 900 chairs created in more than 120 countries. These chairs are unique intellectual and strategic resources aimed at strengthening connections between research and development policy and practice at country, regional, and global levels.

Through its integrated approach that combines research, teaching and training, as well as community engagement, the Programme has proven value in advancing UNESCO’s interdisciplinary knowledge generation and the Organization’s role as global observatory and as a laboratory of ideas. The objective of the Programme is to address the interdependent challenges of today’s increasingly complex world by mobilizing expertise of higher education and research institutions.

The Programme promotes research, training, and activities in various fields by establishing a complete communication and exchange network among universities worldwide to encourage knowledge sharing and technology transfer.

Over the past thirty years, UNESCO chairs worldwide have developed a large number of new teaching programs, generated novel ideas through research and dialogue, and contributed to the enrichment of existing higher education partnerships and networks. They have inspired generations of educators and young students to align their work with the objectives of UNESCO in support of the ideals and goals of the Organization.