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Contact: Jan Fiderio at 603.283.2107

October 29, 2010 for Immediate Release

Antioch University New England Joins United Nations Academic Impact Initiative

President David Caruso signs commitment to actively support UN goals

Summary: Antioch University New England (AUNE) has joined the United Nations' Academic Impact global initiative, which brings together institutions of higher education with the UN to actively support ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, literacy, sustainability and conflict resolution. AUNE has long been a leader in integrating social justice and sustainability into its educational curricula, operations and research and engagement efforts.

(Keene, NH) - Antioch University New England (AUNE) has joined the United Nations' Academic Impact global initiative, whereby institutions of higher education actively promote UN goals in the areas of human rights, literacy, sustainability and conflict resolution.

Through the program, which is managed by the Outreach Division of the Department of Public Information (UNPDI), participants commit to use the power of education as a catalyst to advance ten universally accepted principles: tolerance, diversity and dialogue as educational values; human rights, including freedom of inquiry, opinion and speech; educational opportunity for all people, regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnicity; adult literacy; building capacity in primary and secondary education systems across the world; building capacity in higher-education systems across the world; encouraging world citizenship; peace and conflict resolution; addressing poverty issues; and promoting sustainability.

AUNE President David Caruso signed the agreement on behalf of AUNE, which has long been a leader in integrating social justice and sustainability into its educational curricula, operations and research and engagement efforts.

"I'm proud to make the commitment to the UN Academic Impact initiative," he said. "The ten principles are emblematic of who we are at Antioch University New England."

To date, approximately 250 colleges and universities worldwide have pledged themselves to the initiative. Members are required to undertake a new activity each year to support at least one of the ten principles of Academic Impact. Examples include generating research projects and papers, hosting a conference and financing the participation of a student in a specific UN activity in the field.

About Academic Impact
Academic Impact is a global initiative that aligns institutions of higher education with the United Nations in actively supporting ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, literacy, sustainability and conflict resolution. The program aims to develop and enhance the relationship between the UN and the global higher-education sector by offering additional opportunities for academic institutions to be actively involved with the UN's mission, policies and actions. It is also intended to expand the "convening forum" role of the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), which has worked well with other sectors of civil society, to the academic field.

The program is open to all institutions of higher education that grant degrees or their equivalent, as well as bodies whose substantive responsibilities relate to the conduct of research. Its essential frame of reference is to bring into association with the UN, and with each other, institutions of higher learning throughout the world; to provide a mechanism for such institutions to commit themselves to the fundamental precepts driving the UN mandate, in particular the realization of the universally determined Millennium Development Goals; to serve as a viable point of contact for ideas and proposals relevant to the United Nations mandate; and to promote the direct engagement of institutions of higher education in programs, projects and initiatives relevant to this mandate.

About Antioch University New England
This is Antioch University New England's forty-sixth year as an institution of higher education. Located in Keene, New Hampshire, AUNE offers rigorous, practice-oriented, values-based master's, doctoral and certificate programs to more than one thousand students. Degrees in education, leadership and management, environmental studies and psychology reflect a dedication to activism, social justice, community service and sustainability. Antioch University New England is the oldest and largest of Antioch University's graduate campuses. For more information about Antioch University New England visit our Web site at: www.antiochne.edu.

About Antioch University
Antioch University, a visionary academic community composed of five campuses in four states, is uniquely capable of bringing its students' brightest ideals and highest ambitions to life. Each campus has its own distinct academic programs, community life and regional or national identity. Antioch University is founded on principles of rigorous liberal arts education, innovative experiential learning and socially engaged citizenship. The multiple campuses of the university nurture in their students the knowledge, skills and habits of reflection to excel as lifelong learners, democratic leaders and global citizens who live lives of meaning and purpose. For more information visit: www.antioch.edu

Last Updated: 12/4/10