Sustainable development

The UNi-Group was founded in 1988, is comprised of students from Berlin and Potsdam and associated with the United Nations Association of Germany (DGVN), chapter Berlin-Brandenburg. Our student organisation is represented by two permanent seats within the executive committee of the DGVN (www.dgvn-berlin.de).

We are financially as well as organisationally independent. Often are our members also part of the DGVN, however that poses no prerequisite for any voluntary work within our university group. Additionally, the UNi-Group is founding member of the United Nations Youth Association Germany - JUNON - (see further activities), a network of young UN-groups from all over Germany.

The purpose of the UNi-Group is to integrate the United Nations as well as events of international politics into everyday life, reseach and teachings at universities and schools through regular debate and information. We offer political education for the wider public, through which also our own members gain the opportunity to obtain further information about the UN and a better understanding for international politics, conflicts, communication and different approaches.

Furthermore, the UNi-Group is politically independent. The group is meant to be an association of young people who identify themselves with aforementioned objectives and are willing to pursue these intentions actively. The own enthusiasm for the ideals of the United Nations is our drive at all times. However, ensuing from this motivation we accompany and observe the development and work of the United Nations critically as well.

Schumacher College is a unique international educational institution. It provides individuals and groups from across the world with the opportunity to learn on numerous levels about subjects relating to environmental and social sustainability. The College runs an extensive program of short courses from 4 days to 3 weeks on a whole range of subjects including economics, business, design, ecology and art. A full time MSc in Holistic Science, the first of its kind, is run from the College as well as a Certificate in Education for Sustainability.

Youth with disability forum is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established in 2005 in Belgrade operating all throughout the Republic of Serbia. The activities are implemented by regional offices in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Kragujevac. The main objectives and mission of the organization are defined in the Youth with disability forum’s Statutes, some of which imply advocating society of equal opportunities and service and support provision to different beneficiaries.
As a cross-disability and cross diversity non-profit organization, Forum advocating for and representing the interests of young persons, to address the need for improved participation of civil society with emphasis on youth, in the democratic processes in general, and decision-making on the issues affecting young persons in particular.
Advocating for the development of cross-sectoral cooperation, and dialogue represents one of Forum’s priorities and in a very short while our organization established partnerships with a large number of stakeholders from different sectors (public, business, media, ect ). Also, the organizations entered into partnership with many civil society organizations both from Serbia and region Western Balkans.
The key capacities of the organization mostly refer to human resources, with advance knowledge and skills in many fields, particularly project management. The logistic and operative capacities of the organization are another advantage proved by the fact that we have been delegated the organization of several regional conferences by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy as well as other donors.
The projects have been successfully implemented; some are to be continued on the request of the broader community. It serves as a proof of effective realization and ability for implementation of sustainable actions. Committed to excellence is seen as our additional strength, coupled with permanent efforts to improve the quality of results in accordance with the methodologies (EFQM).
Our organization is not based on membership fee, but is open to all young people willing to participate and contribute to the establishment of equal opportunities society in the Republic of Serbia.

Mission is -promoting European values; to enhance: the civil society development, the democratic process of governance, sustainable development of local community, and promotion of new culture of change and conflict managment.

Vision is -Serbia and Yugoslavia are equal members of the European community of nations.

Intention is -supporting peaceful resolution of conflicts between individuals and community, promotion of the idea of justice and standing up against every kind of violence; developing and maintaining co-operation between citizens and communities in FRY and the world; development of non-profitable sector in FRY; respecting human dignity and against violation of human rights; founding market economy.

Obligation is - articulation and developing of the values of civil society; development of sustainable NGOs; development of a sustainable local community; development of an open forum of citizens and organisations (at the local, regional and national level) aimed at facilitating dialog, exchange of information, advancing mutual understanding, solidarity, co-operation and communication.

Principles are - Investing in peoples´ knowledge and skills is an efficient way for institutional development and promotion change; Training is a tool for capacity building but also for changing attitudes and stimulate initiative at community level; Collaboration and expertise exchange at regional and national level are efficient ways for learning from each others´ successes and failures; Participatory and interactive problem solving processes build partnerships and prevent conflicts; Autonomous, accountable and active local governments are the foundation of democracy; Effective and efficient local governments are crucial for the change management and local development processes; For effective & efficient local governance is more important to have knowledge and skills than capital investment.