Introduction to Programs on United Nations and Global Governance Studies at the Graduate Institute of Peace Studies(GIP), Kyung Hee University

After the end of the two World Wars in the 20th century, the United Nations was created in 1945 to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” 

The founding fathers of the UN wisely acknowledged the importance of development and human rights in maintaining peace and security. 

Hence the UN Charter established the three founding pillars of the United Nations: peace and security,  evelopment, and human rights. 

In today’s world, opinion is divided as to how the world body has worked, or failed to work, to serve its purposes in the three key issue areas. 

However, there seems to be general consensus that the UN and other international organizations need to be reformed to become fitter for their purposes in providing global governance.

The Graduate Institute of Peace Studies (GIP), as indicated by its name, provides a range of academic programs designed to introduce or further students’ studies on the United Nations and global governance, as they work toward a Master’s degree in his/her major field. Both conceptual and practical approaches are used, focusing on the functioning of the UN and global governance, as designed originally and as adapted to changing realities over the past eight decades. 

Special attention is given to considering the global challenges faced by the world today, such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, threats from North Korea, the climate crisis, and digital transformation.

Professor  Oh Joon
Ambassador to the UN (2013~2016)