In early 2026, three United Nations University Institutes jointly launched the Programme on Digital Technology and Sustainable Development (UNU‑DTSD), a pioneering initiative designed to explore how digitalisation and artificial intelligence can drive progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Hosted across UNU Macau, UNU‑MERIT, and UNU‑EHS, the programme welcomed 17 young scholars and early‑career researchers from diverse academic and professional backgrounds for two weeks of intensive, interdisciplinary learning.
A Journey Across Institutes
The strength of UNU‑DTSD lay in its collaborative design, which unfolded as a journey across three UNU institutes.
The students began their programme at UNU Macau in Macau SAR, China, where they explored the foundations of digitalisation and artificial intelligence. Sessions examined how emerging technologies can be harnessed responsibly for sustainable development, laying the groundwork for deeper engagement with the role of technology in advancing the SDGs.
The programme then moved to UNU‑MERIT in Maastricht, the Netherlands, where the focus shifted to public policy. Participants studied how digital tools and AI can inform evidence‑based policymaking, support the green transition, and shape innovation systems and labour markets.
At UNU‑EHS in Bonn, Germany, the curriculum expanded into environmental and sustainability applications. Participants engaged with topics such as disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and nature‑based solutions, learning how AI can be integrated into resilience strategies and climate analysis.
Together, these stages created a learning environment greater than the sum of its parts: one that connected technology, policy, and sustainability in practical and forward‑looking ways, while immersing participants in diverse academic and cultural contexts.
I’ve learned how AI can advance the SDGs, alongside world‑class faculty and peers.
A Truly Global Experience
The tri‑location model gave participants the opportunity to learn in diverse academic and cultural settings. In addition to sessions at the three UNU institutes, the programme included visits to the United Nations Campus in Bonn and the European Space Agency (ESA), offering firsthand insights into how international institutions and scientific agencies are advancing digital technology and sustainability.
The cohort itself was international, with participants from China, the Philippines, Brazil, Italy, and beyond. This diversity enriched peer learning and fostered cross‑cultural exchange, reinforcing the global nature of the challenges at hand.
Participants described the programme as transformative. “It allowed me to explore the intersection of AI, public policy, and the twin transition, with rich academic depth and hands‑on collaboration,” noted Tommaso De Portu, a PhD candidate. Another participant, Matthew Cua, reflected: “I’ve learned how AI can advance the SDGs, alongside world‑class faculty and peers.”
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the programme’s success, Jia An Liu, Research Assistant at UNU Macau, emphasized: “By combining the expertise of three UNU institutes, we’ve created a learning experience greater than the sum of its parts. This collaboration shows how joint institutional efforts can effectively address complex global issues.”
Applications for the next edition will open in mid 2026, welcoming a new generation of scholars eager to push the boundaries of digital technology and sustainability.
