In a move to foster innovation, UN System Staff College opens doors in Turin

In a new step towards enhancing the efficiency of United Nations activities throughout its family of organizations and specialized agencies, the UN System Staff College opened its doors at the start of this year in Turin, Italy.

The College became operational on 1 January as the latest member of the UN family of organizations following approval of its new statute by the UN General Assembly last July.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General, Louise Fréchette, who chaired the inaugural meeting of the College's new Board of Governors on 21 November, described the College as "a common UN system instrument for learning and an important tool for nurturing innovation and generating a common UN system management culture."

"We now have an important opportunity to put the Staff College on a more secure footing so that it can realize its full potential," Ms. Fréchette said.

Under its new status, the College, which is headed by John Machin of the United Kingdom, will continue to be located in Turin on the campus of the International Training Centre of the ILO. The campus also houses the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).