Embedding Behavioral Science into the Work of the United Nations

Abstract

The work of the United Nations has the potential to impact the lives of billions of people. Its efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals span policy areas as diverse as peacebuilding, ending poverty and hunger, and climate action, and provide opportunities to enact change on a global scale. Embedding behavioral science into an organization as unique as the UN presents its own set of opportunities and challenges. This chapter shares what the UN has learned and accomplished on its behavioral science journey so far, and where it is headed next. In particular, the chapter discusses how behavioral science has become an important part of the UN’s agenda; considerations when working with colleagues around the world to apply behavioral science; examples of behavioral science applications across the UN; and lessons learned on key enablers of behavioral science at the UN: culture, capacity, infrastructure, and collaboration.