UCT is 'first choice' for United Nations leadership programme

Leaders unite: (From left) DVC Prof Thandabantu Nhlapo, Dr Jafar Javan (UNSSC Director), and VC Dr Max Price.

UCT and the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) will partner to present the flagship UN Leaders' Programme, scheduled to take place at the Graduate School of Business in October.

On 12 June UNSSC director Dr Jafar Javan met with a high-level UCT group, which included Vice-Chancellor Dr Max Price, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Thandabantu Nhlapo, and the directors of several UCT institutes and schools, to explore mutual collaboration and partnerships.

UCT was the UNSSC's first choice for the leadership programme, said Javan.

"We wanted to partner with a renowned institution that is a centre of excellence in Africa. When we looked for a partner in Africa, UCT was high on the list for its reputation, ranking, the quality of faculty - and Nelson Mandela."

Mandela, he said, personified good leadership.

The UNSSC, based in Torino, Italy, acts as an agent of change within the UN system. Their courses teach the skills and competencies UN staff need to meet global challenges and enhance the organisation's effectiveness through responsive leadership and a coherent management culture.

Javan has worked for the UN for more than 25 years; in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (the regional organisation of former Soviet Union countries).

During his visit to UCT Javan also met with students on the 2013 executive council of the UCT Chapter of the United Nations Association of South Africa. Prior to the event, Javan said he was keen to hear how students viewed the UN- and how they viewed world affairs. In turn, he would be promoting the value of multilateralism as the cornerstone of co-operation.