United Nations – Corporate College Partnerships

The United Nations believes that the process of learning cannot be standardized for everyone, and that people cannot be forced to learn within rigid systems. Instead, a desire to learn must be created in each individual by using a combination of 2 key strategies:

• Offering something that is of great value to the individual, in terms of content and process
• Building well-defined partnerships between the groups who require training, and those who provide it

The UN has their own unique process and content that is designed to help their staff learn, and they have partnered with eCornell to develop and help manage a curriculum for their Human Resources Professionals. The curriculum is delivered through a variety of online courses - including 8 generic courses from eCornell - and they are developing 3 of their own courses that focus on the UN system.

Initially, this virtual academy was not branded as a product, however, the UN has collaborated with various "name brand" institutions around the world to focus on offerings in specific subject areas. This year, they have collaborated with Columbia University’s School of International Affairs to co-brand because the school closely aligns with the United Nation’s current area of need.