The Joint Inspection Unit pilots a research partnership with young researchers from the Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies

In its report on “Strengthening policy research uptake in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, the Joint Inspection Unit encouraged United Nations organizations to establish research partnerships with academia. The JIU is delighted to have the opportunity itself to engage master students from the Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies in a research programme. This is a first for the JIU.

The topic of the research is “The use of blockchain applications in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda: a critical (SWOT) analysis” and it will be conducted under the framework of the Capstone Research projects, which are part of the Masters curricula and carry 9 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System).

The research objectives are, inter alia, to: i) undertake a SWOT (strengths /weaknesses /opportunities /threats) analysis of blockchain from a theoretical perspective; ii) identify lessons learned and challenges related to the use of blockchain applications in the field; iii) identify and take stock of the current uses of blockchain applications by United Nations system organizations; and iv) find the existence of standards and normative frameworks related to blockchain technologies.

The master students allocated to this project, Loriane Kohler, Atma Dinnie Charles, Akiko Yamamoto and Ryan Kimmitt, originate from Switzerland, India, Japan, and United States. The academic supervisor is Filipe Calvão, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Anthropology and Sociology. The coordinator of the Capstone Research programme is Simon Lobach, teaching assistant. The coordinator of the project from JIU is Inspector Petru Dumitriu.

The results of the research will be useful to the JIU as preliminary documentation for the consideration of review topics for its programme of work.