Boardroom Dialogue
UN80 and Beyond: Building Digital Synergies for a Shared UNeLearn Future
Date Thursday, Dec 4 Time – Room: Tiergarten
In light of the current UN80 context, the global development community stands at a pivotal moment. The acceleration of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and innovation ecosystems is redefining how international organizations deploy technology enhanced learning to collaborate, deliver impact, and empower people. This session invites different UN agencies, international development actors to explore how collective intelligence, shared digital learning initiatives and human-centered innovation can help us go further together.
The discussion will unpack how partnerships across the UN system and beyond can be re-imagined — moving from siloed digital projects toward an integrated “network of networks” that aligns global missions with local realities. Participants will share best practices, identify joint opportunities and kick-start new initiatives within the UNeLearn network.
Tom Wambeke
Chief Learning Innovation, ITCILO, Italy
A United Nations Senior Executive with 20 years of work experience in managing capacity development programmes with focus on learning innovation and digital transformation. Worked with cross-functional teams on innovation projects across more than 50 countries. Diplomas from the University of Leuven and University of Antwerp (Belgium) and executive certificates from the University of Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Public speaker on Innovation, Strategic Foresight and digital transformation. Author of different toolkits, publications. Chief Learning Innovation of the Training Centre of the International Labour Organization since 2015. Specialized in providing sustainable learning solutions with the objective to generate impact and organizational change.
As a certified international facilitator (IAF) actively involved in strategy facilitation, participatory knowledge sharing, networked learning and ICT4Development. Passion for complexity adaptive thinking, intentional serendipity, foresight analysis and futures exploration.
The Programme he is leading has a double mandate: to strengthen the Centre’s in-house capacity to apply state-of-the art learning, communication and knowledge sharing methods and technology, and to provide learning, innovation and communication services to outside partners on a global scale. In this context he works closely together with UN agencies, development banks, international organisations, governments and NGO’s.
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Cristina Petracchi
Head of FAO elearning Academy, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy
Cristina Petracchi heads the FAO multilingual eLearning Academy, that has reached over 1 million learners worldwide and is the result of a collaborative effort involving more than 1,000 partners throughout the world. Ms Petracchi manages and coordinates the design, development, delivery and language adaptations of an extensive portfolio of certified e-learning courses and blended learning programmes, related to Nutrition and Sustainable Agrifood Systems, food safety, gender equity and women empowerment, Food Loss and Waste, Climate Change, sustainable management of natural resources, for the benefit of FAO member countries.
Ms Petracchi engages actively in consolidating partnerships across United Nations agencies, academic institutions and universities worldwide, regional organizations, CSOs and NGOs, for capacity development initiatives and has created over 100 University Masters' and Post Graduate Degree Programmes.
In addition to a University Degree in Biological Sciences, Ms Petracchi holds a PhD in Nutrition and Food Science, and has several years of capacity development experience in various countries worldwide.
Ugo Caruso
Team Lead, Digital Learning Services Unit, United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC), Italy
Ugo Caruso joined the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) in 2008 and currently leads the Digital Learning Services (DLS) Unit at UNSSC’s Integrated Business Centre. With a focus on the intersection of digital learning, user experience, and learning ecosystem design, the DLS Unit is behind the development of UNSSC’s Blue Line, a global learning hub open to all UN personnel for personalized and self-directed learning, as well as the development of UNSSC’s learning ecosystem.
Ugo holds an Executive Master in Information Architecture and User Experience Design (IULM University of Milan, Italy) and is a certified UX professional (NN/g).