photo by: Associated Press

A bus makes its way along Jayhawk Boulevard in front of Strong Hall on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

The University of Kansas has joined an international organization that works to promote the goals and initiatives of the United Nations.

Earlier this month, KU became a member of the United Nations Academic Impact network. About 1,500 higher education institutions across the globe belong to the network, which promotes 10 U.N principles ranging from addressing poverty to advocating for global citizenship.

KU’s Honors Program and the university’s Center for Global & International Studies led the application process for KU. To maintain memberships, KU will be required to file an annual report detailing university activities that align with U.N. goals.

The U.N. network lists 10 principles that universities are asked to support: addressing poverty; capacity building for higher education; education for all; encouraging global citizenship through education; providing access to higher education; support of human rights with particular emphasis on freedom of inquiry, opinion and speech; engaging in intercultural dialogue, including the “unlearning” of intolerance; using education to promote peace and conflict resolution; promoting sustainability; support for the United Nations Charter.

KU joins several universities in the region that are members of the U.N. organization, including the University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, University of Oklahoma and others.