News
UNU-WIDER's operations continue during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

UNU-WIDER will continue delivering on our mandates during the pandemic, while reducing our physical presence at the office. Updates on research and papers, as well as opportunities to engage virtually with us will continue on our website and social media.

Moving to virtual office

Following the Finnish Government’s announcement on 15 March 2020, Helsinki-based personnel have been requested to work from home starting Tuesday 17 March at least until 13 April 2020 (to be reassessed as needed). UNU-WIDER staff is well-prepared and equipped for remote working, so all research and co-ordination work will continue as usual.

The country programmes in Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania have their own flexible working policies depending on their specific country context and UN advice.

Meetings and events

All meetings, events and seminars scheduled for March, April and May are put on hold until further notice.

The UNU-WIDER management team will take a decision on 8 April 2020 regarding the 2020 WIDER Development conference and associated events scheduled for June. 

PhD fellowship and visiting scholar programme

The PhD Fellowship and Visiting Scholar programme have been put on hold until further notice. For more information, contact phdfellow@wider.unu.edu and scholars1@wider.unu.edu.

Travel 

All work-related travels are suspended with immediate effect (including domestic travel in Finland, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa).

For press

UNU-WIDER has experts available for comments on various topics regarding coronavirus and development economics, for example: How the world’s most vulnerable deal with pandemics, global economic vs. health impact, pandemic and its impact on inequality.

Please contact: tomi@wider.unu.edu

How to get in touch

General queries: wider1@wider.unu.edu

Personnel can be best contacted through their email address that can be found on our personnel page.

Stay healthy

Please refer to the World Health Organisation website for advice on how to protect yourself against COVID-19, and other related information.

At times like this, we can all benefit from a little extra solidarity and care. In the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres: We are in this together, and we will get through this together. I will continue to do everything in my power to keep us all safe during these difficult times.