Global Leaders Experience- UNITAR Paris & Bonn

About the programme  

We are once again partnering with UNITAR (United Nations Institute of Training and Research) to run a 5-day immersive programme focused on key themes and significant locations within the United Nations in the stunning locations of Paris and Bonn!  

With an initial stop in Paris to spend your first day visiting the UNESCO headquarters at Place de Fontenoy, the trip will then travel to Bonn; giving you the chance to fully immerse yourselves into the host city of one of the main UN offices and gain first-hand experience of the United Nations.  Bonn is the home to the United Nations Campus, home to 20 individual UN organisations with a focus on sustainability and climate change. 

UNITAR will host a number of activities in Bonn based topics including climate change, land degradation, biodiversity and ecosystem services, disaster risk reduction, tourism, education and training as well as the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

You will receive a variety of expert lecturers for the following organisations: 

•  United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)  
• Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
•  United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)  
•  World Health Organization, European Centre for Environment and Health (WHO/ECEH)
• United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
•  United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)  
•  United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 

Several training workshops will be delivered across the week which may include: 

•  Leadership Skills
• United Nations Protocol
•  Negotiation Skills
• United Nations Resolution Writing
•  Public Speaking Skills
• Conference Diplomacy  
•  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Trade and Commerce
• Assertiveness and Influencing Skills
• Innovation and Design Thinking 

What’s more? You will spend your evenings exploring Paris and Bonns’ historical buildings and cities while making new connections across the University and beyond! 

No prior experience or specific degree programme is necessary to join, in fact, we particularly encourage applications from students without relevant experience. 

When will it take place?  

This programme will run from the 8th  June 2025 to the 14th June 2025.  

We will travel to Paris on the 8th June, and stay until the 10th June, where we will catch a train to Bonn to spend the rest of the week. Travel from Bonn to the UK will take place on Saturday 14th June. 

Eligibility Criteria   

• You will be enrolled as an undergraduate student at the time of the programme    

• Students must meet one or more of the Widening Participation criteria

• You can travel to and from the UK between the 8th and 14th June 2025  

• Not currently on a placement year or study abroad  

• Have an up-to-date passport with more than 6 months validity from date of return   

• Have not exceeded the 90 out of 180 days rule for travel in Europe by the date of the programme. If you are unsure of this please use this calculator.  

Managing Expectations  

• The global travel sector remains impacted by well-publicised strikes, cancellation and disruption.   

• Please be ready to follow any national or local guidance in relation to travel, such as passport validity for France and Germany.  

• Students are expected to travel to and from the UK as part of a group for the trip  

Cost  

The University of Exeter will be booking return travel from the UK departure point and accommodation on your behalf; the cost of which will be covered by the University.  

There will be a travel bursary available to those who meet the Widening Participation criteria. You will be able to claim travel costs to and from the UK departure point (for example from campus to an airport or train station) if student discounts are used; receipts must be provided.    

Claims can be made up to a maximum of £100. This limit is for the whole journey, i.e. not £100 each way and claims above the limit will be rejected. Please note that the travel bursary cannot be used for additional accommodation unless in exceptional circumstances and must be checked and approved with global-leaders@exeter.ac.uk first.