Launch of “UNIC”: The UNESCO Chairs Group on Social Inclusion in Cities
We are proud to announce the official launch of UNIC (UNESCO Chairs Group on Social Inclusion in Cities), an international academic network established to foster intersectoral dialogue, research, and policy action on spatial and social inclusion in urban environments.
The network is spearheaded by a steering committee composed of Shin Koseki (UNESCO Chair in Urban Landscapes at Université de Montréal), Robert J. Chaskin (UNESCO Chair on Inclusive Urbanism at the University of Chicago) and Giovanna Marconi (UNESCO Chair on the Social and Spatial Integration of International Migrants – SSIIM at Università Iuav di Venezia).
The Network’s Mission
UNIC aims to advance critical knowledge, practice, and policy regarding social and spatial inclusion across global urban settlements. By facilitating the exchange of information, joint documentation, and scientific events, the network seeks to map and dismantle the geographical, economic, and institutional barriers hindering urban equity. Moving forward, the network is committed to expanding its membership to other UNESCO Chairs sharing similar agendas, with a dedicated focus on incorporating partners from the Global South.
The Inaugural Workshop in Venice
The network’s official kickoff took place on Friday, March 10, 2023, in Venice at Ca’ Tron, hosted by the SSIIM UNESCO Chair (Università Iuav di Venezia). The inaugural workshop opened with institutional greetings from Iuav’s Director of Research, Francesco Musco, and served as an interactive platform for the founding members to share past, ongoing, and future research initiatives.
The launch brought together prominent delegations from five pilot UNESCO Chairs:
- Università Iuav di Venezia (Italy): represented by Giovanna Marconi, Flavia Albanese, and Carlotta Giordani.
- Université de Montréal (Canada): represented by Shin Koseki.
- University of Chicago (USA): represented by Robert J. Chaskin.
- Rovira i Virgili University (Spain): represented by Hector Simon and Núria Lambea (UNESCO Chair on the Right to Housing).
- Autonomous University of Estado de Mexico (Mexico): represented by Leonor Guzman, Adelaida Rojas, and Eska Meneses (UNESCO Chair on Vulnerability and Social Inclusion).
Next Steps
During the afternoon working session, participants mapped out future joint research pathways, academic mobility, and training initiatives. This session laid the foundation for the network’s long-term development strategy, setting the stage for a second plenary meeting to follow.
download here > the workshop programme
