The institute hosts the New York Liaison office of The Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS), a worldwide network of scholars and practitioners who are interested in improved, innovative and advanced research and teaching about the UN, multilateralism and the challenges of global governance.

Founded in 1987 and headquartered at Wilfrid Laurier University, its executive director is Prof. Alistair Edgar, and Prof. Christer Jönsson (University of Lund) is chair of the Board of Directors. The Bunche Institute Associate Director, Prof. Rob Jenkins, heads the New York office, and Thomas G. Weiss served as Chair of (2006-2009) the ACUNS Board of Directors.

On 13-15 June 2012, the Institute will host the 25th Annual Meeting.

Founded in 1987, ACUNS was the first professional academic association created specifically to foster the study of the workings and implications of the United Nations.

From 2000 to 2005, the institute housed the editorial office of Global Governance – A Review of Multilateralism and International Organization, ACUNS’ award-winning refereed journal. Professors Weiss, S. Neil Macfarlane (Oxford) and W. Andy Knight (Alberta) served as co-editors. The journal provides a valuable forum for practitioners and academics who want to explore the impact of international institutions and multilateral processes on issues of economic development, environmental change, peace and security, and human rights amongst other global policy issues.

On 6-8 June, 2007 the 20th anniversary ACUNS Annual Meeting was held at the CUNY Graduate Center, on the theme “The Study of International organizations: Past, Present and Future”. In mid-June 2012, the Center again will serve as host, this time for the 25th anniversary Meeting.

For more information about ACUNS, and its programs and activities, visit the Council’s web site, www.acuns.org.