The International Association of Universities (IAU) is an implementing partner for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the two organisations have a longstanding partnership through which they stress the important role higher education can play in promoting and enhancing the rule of law and sustainable development, in particular SDG 16.

Within the framework of the UNODC Education for Justice (E4J) initiative the two organisations developed a Research Grant programme, encouraging young scholars to carry out research linked to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Thirteen scholars from twelve countries, respecting both regional and gender balance, were selected for the grants, and their papers are organized under three broad themes, each one providing different perspectives on how research, education and overall engagement with SDG 16 can foster sustainability:

1. Inequality, Sustainable Recovery and SDG 16
2. Environment, Legal Frameworks and SDG 16
3. Challenges To Peace and Sustainable Societies and SDG 16

Through strong and innovative collaboration, and dynamics in higher education and between higher education and society in general, we can address the global challenges identified in the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and build a more sustainable future together.

The publication was launched on 23 November 2021 during a virtual event with UNODC and IAU representatives. The launch was followed by a discussion with the authors and webinar participants.

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