CIFAL Surrey and UNITAR partner to offer Geneva Traineeships for Surrey students

The initiative will provide students in the Centre for Environment and Sustainability (CES) with the opportunity to gain first-hand experience within the United Nations system while contributing to international programmes focused on sustainable development and global capacity building.

As part of the collaboration, the Social Development Programme Unit (SDPU) at UNITAR will host two six-month trainee placements for University of Surrey students at its Geneva offices. The programme will include one undergraduate placement running from June 2026 to December 2026, followed by one postgraduate placement from January 2027 to June 2027. 

The placements will take place in person in Geneva and will allow students to engage with UNITAR’s work across a range of thematic areas, including cities and climate, disaster risk reduction, airports and aviation and maritime management. Through these placements, students will have the opportunity to contribute to research, training activities and programme development that support governments, institutions and communities worldwide.

The initiative will be formally launched to students on 20 March 2026, marking the United Nations International Day of Happiness, when applications for the traineeship programme will open.

About CIFAL Surrey and UNITAR

CIFAL Surrey is part of the CIFAL global network of training centres established by UNITAR to strengthen capacities in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Based at the University of Surrey, CIFAL Surrey focuses on research, training and knowledge exchange related to sustainable development, climate action and responsible business, working with international partners from government, academia, and industry. 

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a dedicated training arm of the United Nations that supports countries and communities in strengthening knowledge, skills, and capacities to implement global development agendas. Its mandate is to develop the capacities of individuals, institutions, and organisations through training, research, and knowledge-sharing in order to advance sustainable development and effective multilateral cooperation.

About the Centre for Environment and Sustainability 

The Centre for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Surrey is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for research and teaching on sustainable development. The Centre brings together expertise from engineering, environmental science, economics and the social sciences to address complex global challenges such as climate change, resource management and sustainable production and consumption. Through interdisciplinary research, industry partnerships and education programmes, the Centre develops practical, policy-relevant solutions that support the transition to more sustainable societies.