CHANGE MANAGEMENT IN THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM AND THE CHALLENGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

This research will mainly contribute to the discipline of public administration and political science as well as sustainability studies by bringing a test study of change management and sustainability in the most relevant intergovernmental organizations. It will aim to study the integration of environmental and social sustainability in the core business and operation of the United Nations System and identify how that has influenced management changes in the Organization. It will look at the levels and means through which such integration has been possible and examine the instruments and policies being introduced in support of such integration. By taking stock of how the UN system has been addressing sustainable development in its work, and from that knowledge, it will draw lessons, gaps, challenges, and opportunities to inform future efforts.

Key questions to consider include: How can the UN system strive for greater integration and coordination of social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in a balanced manner' What are the requirements to ensure integration in change management plans' How the integration can be better monitored and assessed' What are the incentives for inclusion of sustainability for more effectiveness, better delivery and resource efficiency'

In a forward looking manner, the research will provide options for choosing or structuring environmental and social priorities program in project development and operations. It will consider possibilities for the UN system to speak the same language on sustainability, address the environmental and social trade-offs, assessing risks and combining with national sustainability systems, striking a balance between flexibility and accountability and establishing common sustainability systems across agencies and platforms for knowledge exchange and other capacity building measures.