The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and UNICC and have been honored with the Gold Award in the Learning Platform of the Year category at the 2024 Learning Awards. The joint effort, recognized by the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), highlights the significant impact of the “Connect & Learn” platform in advancing learning opportunities within Member States, the UN family, regional organizations, academia, research institutes, think tanks, civil society and the private sector.
The platform developed by UNOCT with UNICC support, launched on October 1, 2021, alongside the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, and serves as a vital tool for global learning in counter-terrorism. Offering a variety of self-paced modules and instructor-led courses on countering-terrorism and preventing violent extremism (PCVE), the platform allows users to connect in thematic communities of practice. Its comprehensive training materials and resources span various crucial topics, including Cyber Security and New Technologies; Promotion of Sport and its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism; Strategic Communications and Behavioural Insights to Counter-Terrorism.
Through close collaboration with UNOCT, the UNICC Application Delivery, Learning, Infrastructure and Cybersecurity teams have worked tirelessly to design, implement and launch the “Connect & Learn” platform, and are still deeply involved in its hosting, support, maintenance and enhancement. Additionally, the UNICC Learning team provides crucial support in developing eLearning courses and instructor-led content. Their dedication and expertise have significantly contributed to the success of this initiative, ensuring its effectiveness in fulfilling its objectives.
This accolade stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence in the field of Learning and Development within counter-terrorism endeavors.
Mauro Miedico, UNOCT Director
The recognition by the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI) underscores the significance of collaborative initiatives within the UN system to address pressing global challenges. This accomplishment reflects the commitment of both UNICC and UNOCT to leveraging technology for enhanced learning and capacity-building efforts in the field of counter-terrorism.
On behalf of the judging panel, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the UNOCT and UNICC teams for their outstanding achievement in developing an exceptional learning platform that has the potential to transform counter-terrorism efforts on a global scale. We were particularly impressed by the team’s adaptability in pivoting from a traditional learning platform to an online community, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among member states.
The project’s success in reaching 6,000 users, including those from vulnerable and hard-to-access communities, speaks volumes about the team’s dedication to inclusivity and global impact.
Judges of the Learning Awards 2024
UNICC extends its appreciation to UNOCT and all team members involved in the development and implementation of the platform, whose dedication has contributed to this significant achievement.
To learn more about the “Connect & Learn” Platform, please visit: https://learn.unoct-connectandlearn.org/
