UN Foundations Training
UN Training for Organisations and Professionals
Build global insight. Understand the system shaping today's world.
UNAA NSW offers a new series of United Nations training courses designed to help professionals and organisations better understand the global frameworks, institutions and norms that shape today’s operating environment.
These courses make the work, values and role of the United Nations practical, accessible and relevant for Australian workplaces. Participants gain a clear understanding of how the UN functions, how it addresses complex global challenges, and why multilateral cooperation continues to matter for governments, businesses and communities alike.
Our Course Catalog
Peace and Security detailed courses can be completed after attending the "Introduction to UN Peace and Security" course
Click on the courses below to see a detailed course description, scheduled dates, and to register for the course.
Meet Our Trainers
Our trainers bring a diverse range of experience across international affairs, peace and security, education, leadership, and the United Nations system. Each course is delivered by a qualified UNAA NSW trainer, with facilitators assigned based on expertise and availability. As the UN Foundations Training program continues to grow, additional trainers and specialist presenters will be introduced over time.
Lt. Col. Darleen Shrubb AM
Darleen Shrubb AM, RFD brings extensive international experience in United Nations peace operations, training, and leadership development. A former Commanding Officer of the Australian Defence Force Peace Operations Training Centre, Darleen has worked across conflict and post-conflict environments throughout Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.
Her expertise includes peacekeeping operations, protection of civilians, gender and child protection, humanitarian response, and multinational training delivery.
Darleen has developed and delivered UN peacekeeping training for major troop contributing countries and is internationally recognised for her contributions to peace operations training and gender awareness education. She currently serves as Director, Peace and Security for the United Nations Association of Australia NSW Division.
Maj. Gen. (retd) Tim Ford AO
Major General Tim Ford AO (Retired) is a highly respected leader in United Nations peace operations, with more than 40 years of experience across the Australian Defence Force and the UN system. During his distinguished military career, Tim held senior command appointments including Commander of the 1st Division of the Australian Army, before serving in a number of senior United Nations peacekeeping roles. These included Head of Mission of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in the Middle East and Chief Military Adviser in the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York. Following his retirement from the Australian Army, Tim continued to support international peace operations as an advisor, mentor, educator, and author. He served as Chair of the Peace Operations Training Institute and authored the course “Leading Within UN Peace Operations”. Tim is a life member of United Nations Association of Australia NSW Division and continues to contribute to discussions on the future of UN peacekeeping and global security.
Chris Dwyer
Chris Dwyer is an experienced business leader, facilitator, and executive coach with more than 25 years of international experience across leadership, operations, customer engagement, and organisational transformation. Throughout his career, Chris has designed and delivered training programs, workshops, and leadership development initiatives for global organisations, supporting professionals and teams across the Asia-Pacific region.
Chris currently serves as Vice President of Operations for the United Nations Association of Australia NSW Division, where he supports organisational strategy, governance, operational delivery, and the expansion of UN-focused education and engagement initiatives. His work with UNAA NSW includes the development of the organisation’s UN Foundations Training program, helping translate United Nations frameworks and global issues into accessible learning experiences for broader audiences.
Why This Training Matters
Organisations today operate in an increasingly complex global environment shaped by international agreements, institutions, norms and risks - from geopolitics and conflict to human rights, sustainability and global standards. Even organisations without an explicit international mandate are influenced by these systems through regulation, supply chains, partnerships, workforce expectations and public trust.
UNAA NSW’s United Nations Training Courses provide a practical introduction to the global governance system that underpins this environment. The courses explain how the United Nations operates, how global issues are managed through cooperation and negotiation, and how these dynamics influence national, organisational and individual decision‑making.
For leaders, managers and professionals, this training supports stronger global literacy, clearer strategic awareness and more informed judgement. It helps organisations understand where global frameworks come from, how Australia engages with them, and why international cooperation remains relevant to stability, risk management and long‑term outcomes.
Who is the Training For?
Our courses are designed for:
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Corporate and organisational leaders seeking greater global and geopolitical literacy
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Professionals working across policy, sustainability, ESG, risk, governance and strategy
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Organisations engaging with international partners, standards or frameworks
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Educators, students and emerging leaders interested in global affairs
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Teams looking to broaden perspective and strengthen informed discussion
No prior knowledge of the United Nations or international relations is required.
Flexible Delivery Options
Public Online Courses
UNAA NSW delivers live, online training sessions at scheduled times throughout the year. These sessions are open to individual participants and provide accessible, high‑quality learning in a flexible format suited to busy professionals.
Public courses are ideal for individuals looking to:
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build foundational understanding of the UN system
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strengthen global awareness and literacy
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engage in informed discussion on international cooperation and global challenges.
See below for the range of courses available.
Onsite Delivery for Organisations
Courses are also available for in‑person delivery within organisations, tailored for teams, networks or leadership groups.
Onsite sessions allow organisations to:
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integrate global context into professional development programs
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support leadership capability and broader strategic thinking
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encourage informed, non‑partisan discussion of global issues
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connect staff more clearly with the international frameworks influencing today’s economic, political and social environment.
For enquiries about onsite delivery, contact nsw@unaa.org.au.
UN Essentials: Peace and Security
The initial training offering focuses on Peace and Security, a core area of the United Nations’ work and a critical pillar of global stability.
Understanding peace and security is critical to operating in today’s global environment. This training equips professionals and organisations with practical insight into how the UN system works to manage conflict, support stability and foster international cooperation, helping leaders make better‑informed decisions in an interconnected world.
Built from official UN peacekeeper training materials, these courses provide a practical introduction to how the UN approaches:
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conflict prevention
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peacekeeping operations
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peacebuilding
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international cooperation in fragile and conflict‑affected settings.
For professionals and organisations, this course offers valuable insight into the systems and ideas that underpin global stability, international law, diplomacy and multilateral engagement.
Additional Courses in Development
UNAA NSW is developing further courses in areas including human rights and sustainability, expanding the program over time to reflect the full breadth of UN priorities and real‑world relevance.