UNAI is an initiative that connects higher education institutions with the UN to support its goals and mandates, such as human rights, education, sustainability and conflict resolution. UNAI has a network of students, academics, scientists, researchers, think tanks, institutions of higher education, continuing education and educational associations since 2010.

These institutions are important for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals as they generate new ideas, inventions and solutions for the many global challenges we face. Every subject and discipline can relate to the UN.

BNCA joined UNAI in 2012 and became a UNAI hub in 2014. UNAI has ten principles and ten global hubs that represent each principle. Dr. B. N. College of Architecture is the global hub for “Addressing poverty” (https://academicimpact.un.org/content/addressing-poverty). The hub’s main idea is to be a platform where students and educators from BNCA and other UNAI member institutes can share ideas and plan actions to address poverty. It has been doing various programs to address poverty through education. As architects and planners, they can create material outcomes of development and bring together communities and patrons. BNCA followed this idea and explored how concrete actions and projects can motivate its students.

BNCA wants to unite educators in higher education around the world to find a common set of strategies that can be shared among countries to help reduce key issues related to poverty.

Objectives :

• To work with people and communities who face poverty and help them overcome it through innovative approaches.
• To collaborate on live projects and workshops.
• To raise awareness about SDGs, UNAI principles and the role of academics.
• To exchange knowledge through research and development.
• The institute invites various partners among actors and educators to join forces and work further towards its aligned goals.