On 22 January 2026, the Learning Planet Institute (LPI) launched the Learning Planet Academy during its 7th edition of the LearningPlanet Festival, bringing together voices from the United Nations System, the student community, and civil society. At the launch event, UNU was represented by Dr. Sabine Becker-Thierry, Director of the UNU Paris Office. UNU, notably through UNU-FLORES and UNU Paris Office have been working closely with LPI on youth-led solutions. LPI also hosts the UNU Hub for Learning with Youth.
The launch session explored how education can evolve in the face of accelerating technological, social and planetary transformations. It brought together distinguished speakers from the United Nations, the private sector, the student community, and the educational research community, including Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO; Felipe Paullier Olivera, Assistant Secretary-General at the UN Youth Office; Sabine Becker-Thierry, Director of the UNU Paris Office; Aude Blanc, HR Director at the grEEn-campus, Stellantis Group; François Taddei, Founder & President of LPI; Gaëll Mainguy, Executive Director of LPI; and Jodie Loi, Master Aire Student at LPI. Dr Raphaël Costambeys-Kempczynski, Director of Education at LPI moderated the event.
Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, UNU Rector and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, delivered congratulatory remarks and reaffirmed UNU’s continued support for this initiative via video. In his message, Prof. Marwala emphasized the essential role of young people’s leadership and bold ideas, stating: “As the world is falling behind in achieving the SDGs, the need for urgent action and innovative solutions has never been greater. Co-construction with youth is vital in shaping a sustainable society”.
Dr. Sabine Becker‑Thierry, Director UNU Paris Office, highlighted that supporting initiatives such as the Learning Planet Academy is essential for a global institution like UNU, because the critical challenge today is not only to produce knowledge but to activate it. She noted that for UNU — with its mandate to bridge research and policy — the Academy represents a strategic investment for impact, turning evidence into action by empowering people and networks. She further reflected that initiatives like the LPA enable the next generation to see themselves not as future leaders, but as leaders now — an empowerment that is urgently needed for multilateralism to remain relevant, credible, and effective in a time of fragmented trust.
“The Learning Planet Academy brings together students and practitioners in identifying solutions and creating impact together,” remarked Dr. Becker-Thierry. “The United Nations University is very happy to engage in that partnership with LPI in empowering young people and devising solutions for solving pressing global issues”.
As a strategic liaison and convening platform of UNU, the UNU Paris Office stands ready to support the Learning Planet Academy by fostering dialogue, driving strategic collaboration, and facilitating multi-stakeholder engagement.
A highlight video presenting the LPAcademy and capturing reflections from the launch of the session is available on the LPI YouTube channel.
About the Learning Planet Academy
With the support of the United Nations University, UNESCO, and other partners, the Learning Planet Academy advances a vision of education focused on impact and a global, transdisciplinary learning space where young researchers, practitioners, and innovators actively co-create solutions. The Academy will offer diverse experiential courses and learning opportunities that address the major challenges of our time, helping to bridge gaps in current youth education systems and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Drawing on 20 years of experimentation at the Learning Planet Institute, the Academy aims to empower students, equip teachers, and inspire leaders to respond to contemporary global challenges. It invites learners to rethink education as they navigate profound global transitions and is structured around three core pillars: Environment & Climate, Peace & Democracy, and Mental Health & Wellbeing.
