Björn-Ola Linnér invited as an expert to UNDP in New York

Mistra Geopolitics is proud to announce that Björn-Ola Linnér, Professor at Linköping University and Director of Mistra Geopolitics, has been appointed as an expert to the United Nations “Human Security Colloquium: New Horizons in the AI Age” held in New York today, 21 November.

The world faces human security challenges

At the 30-year mark of the introduction of the Human Security concept, introduced by the UNDP’s Human Development Report (HDR), the world faces some of its greatest human security challenges in decades.

Wars and violent conflicts are on the rise – with 59 active conflicts in 2023 – with an inevitable human toll. At the same time transformations from human-driven planetary change and technological innovation are reshaping the development and security landscape.

United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA. Photo: Nils Huenerfuerst / Unsplash.

Human Security Colloquium at the United Nations

Future human security challenges, AI-related risks and sustainable development will be discussed with international high-profile research experts at the Human Security Colloquium held at the United Nations in New York.

“I am honoured to contribute our research knowledge to this high-level dialogue at the UN in New York. Today, with the atrocities of war on the rise – and the effects of conflicts having global repercussions, combined with human security and environmental challenges – our contributions to research and policy are, sadly, more relevant than ever,” says Professor Björn-Ola Linnér.

The Colloquium where Linnér will contribute, will feature an interactive discussion geared towards the policymaking community, permanent missions to the UN, academia, and practitioners. This international dialogue led by the United Nations will inform the research and writing of the 2025 Human Development Report.

The rise of advanced AI technologies has quickly emerged as a new frontier for human security. While AI holds promise for development, it also introduces a novel set of risks. Linnér continues:

“How will the present situation affect our use of AI and technology, our climate, our food security, human rights and human beings – today, and in the future? And how can we find answers to these pressing realities?”

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Mistra Geopolitics team

Linköping University

Professor Björn-Ola Linnér

Björn-Ola Linnér is the Deputy Programme Director of Mistra Geopolitics and Professor at the Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research at Linköping University. He analyses how the political processes and actors affect conditions for social changes towards sustainable development in different parts of the world. He has a long experience in research dialogues with various societal actors, such as the climate convention’s secretariat, governments, businesses and environmental organizations.

SEI

Ylva Rylander

Ylva Rylander is the press contact for Mistra Geopolitics. Ylva is a Communications and Impact Officer at Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). As a core member of SEI’s communications team and previous Press Officer of SEI, Ylva writes and edits press releases and creates news stories. With over 15 years of experience in public relations, awareness raising and external communication, she also provides strategic advice to SEI and Mistra Geopolitics researchers to help them maximize the impact of their research.

Telephone:+4673 150 33 84

Björn-Ola Linnér is professor at Linköping University and Director of the Mistra Geopolitics research programme, funded by Mistra, the Swedish foundation for strategic environmental research.

News story written by Ylva Rylander, Communications and Impact Officer at SEI for Mistra Geopolitics.

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