UNESCO Chairs
UNESCO Chairs promote international inter-university cooperation and integration, and serve as a bridge between universities, civil society, local communities, researchers and policymakers. The University of Ljubljana has two UNESCO Chairs.
UNESCO Chair on Teacher Education for Sustainable Development
The mission of this Chair is to promote an integrated system of research, teaching and training, as well as engagement in society and communication on matters relevant to it. The Chair will foster cooperation between top, internationally recognised researchers and teachers at the University of Ljubljana and other institutions in the country, as well as elsewhere in the region and in other regions around the world.
The aims of the Chair are:
- to promote a systemic and integrated institutional approach to education for sustainable development, with stronger links with representatives from different interest groups from universities, faculties, research institutions, educational organisations, UNESCO Associated Schools, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, open-air learning centres, museums, etc.;
- to develop education strategies for teachers, pre-school teachers and students to ease the transition to a sustainable future for all;
- to create research activities focused on education and awareness-raising on issues of sustainability among all major groups of education stakeholders at all levels;
- to promote sustainability initiatives and projects with international conferences, workshops, new study programmes and courses, and create high-quality publications, etc.; and
- to work closely with UNESCO, other UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN networks on suitable programmes and activities.
Head of the Chair: Professor Gregor Torkar, Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana
UNESCO Chair on Teacher Education for Sustainable Development
UNESCO Chair on Water-Related Disaster Risk Reduction
The mission of the UNESCO Chair on Water-Related Disaster Risk Reduction is to promote an integrated system of research, training, information and documentation on water management in relation to reducing the risk of water-related disasters. The Chair will facilitate cooperation between high-quality, internationally renowned researchers and teachers at the University of Ljubljana and other organisations in Slovenia, as well as those from the Asian-Pacific, African, European, North American and other regions of the world.
The aims of the Chair are:
- to conduct research into water-related disaster risk reduction with the involvement of doctoral and post-doctoral students;
- to disseminate research results in publications, online, in the media, and at lectures for undergraduate and postgraduate students;
- to develop platforms to foster cooperation between groups and members of the public with a particular interest in the effective deployment of tools and practices to reduce the risk of water-related disasters; and
- to work closely with the relevant UNESCO programmes and activities, and with other UNESCO Chairs and centres.
The Chair has been active at the University of Ljubljana since 2016. In February 2024, it successfully extended its mandate to June 2028.
Head of the Chair: Professor Matjaž Mikoš (Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana)