Sustainable Development · Learning Innovation · UN System
PaulynDuman.
Twenty years. One conviction: that sustainable development cannot succeed without learning that actually reaches people, shifts thinking, and enables action. From the halls of the Philippine Congress to podcast studios, VR headsets and UN platforms, in service of sustainable development for all.
1.1M+
SDG learners reached
100K
Podcast plays
5.0/5
Innovation (360°)
↓ Start with the work below
Currently at
the United Nations
Knowledge Management and Learning Innovation
Flagship initiatives
The work.
From a UN learning platform with 1.1 million users to virtual reality experiences at the UN Climate Change Conference, each project was built to close the gap between knowledge and impact. Use the tabs above to explore the thinking behind the work, and the person behind the thinking.
01
Learning platform · UN system · 68 partners
UN SDG:Learn initiative
Coordinator of the UN's flagship SDG learning platform, partnering with 68 organizations. Grew from 4,000 users in 2019 to 1.1 million cumulative users and 5 million pageviews by 2025. Drove 6.7 million LinkedIn impressions in 2023 through the "Free Courses" campaign.
1.1M+ users5M+ pageviews50,200+ registered learners (2026)68 UN partners
02
Podcast · Knowledge dissemination
SDG Learncast podcast
Conceptualized, hosted, and produced across five seasons featuring Jeffrey Sachs, Benjamin Piper (Gates Foundation), Yasmine Sherif (ECW), and global leaders. Reached 100,000+ plays. Top 15% globally on Spotify in Education.
100K+ playsTop 15% Spotify Education59K LinkedIn followers
03
Capacity development · Africa
Africa Sustainable Development Academy
Secured USD 400,000 in donor funding and positioned the Africa Sustainable Development Academy as a UNSSC flagship. Led the inaugural academy for participants across 20 African countries, each nominated by the UN Resident Coordinator in their country. Delivered AI-supported audio formats for a participant who is blind and a mobile-first design thinking workshop for those joining on limited connectivity. Participant evaluation returned a 99 per cent recommendation rate.
USD 400K secured99% recommendation rate20 countries
04
Immersive learning · VR · 2020 & 2025
Inside Sustainable Development
Led UNSSC's first virtual reality film in 2020, built on the Know, Feel, Do framework. A 360-degree experience that places participants inside a city undergoing transformation. The 2025 revamp introduced stronger storytelling and two viewing modes: a linear full-length film, and a five-minute segmented pathway designed for modular workshops, conference booths and pavilions. Deployed at the UN Climate Change Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh and the Global Changemaker Academy for Parliamentarians, where it enabled a participant who uses a wheelchair to fully join a site visit. Also delivered as an online watch party for the UN Summer Academy from 2021 to 2025.
UN Climate Change Conference30 VR headsetsLinear and segmented modes
05
Microlearning · Digital
Thai SDG Micro-Primer
Co-designed with UN Thailand using a culturally grounded bilingual curriculum. Launched at the Sustainability Expo in Bangkok. Reached over 12,700 learners across English and Thai versions, contributing to a rise in national SDG awareness in Thailand from 17 per cent in 2023 to 25 per cent in 2025.
12,700+ learnersNational awareness 17% to 25%Bilingual EN/TH
In development
06
Knowledge architecture · UNSSC-wide
Sustainable Development Knowledge Bank
Originated the concept for a UNSSC-wide knowledge bank and developed it collaboratively with a working group of 22 volunteers from across the organization. Developed and prototyped multi-format microlearning and knowledge summaries, and supported early prototyping of a learning game. Currently in early development.
22-person working groupMulti-format prototypingEarly stage
07
Certification · Resident Coordinators · UN DCO
SDG certification for resident coordinators
Designed and delivered the SDG Certification platform in collaboration with UN DCO, targeting the UN's most senior country-level representatives. Over 60% of all Resident Coordinators completed the certification. Featured in the 2020 Report of the Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group.
60%+ RC completionUN DCO partnershipCited in UNSDG 2020 report
In development
08
AI · Virtual reality · Learning innovation
AI-VR learning project on climate, land and biodiversity
Building immersive experiences that help leaders rehearse complex decisions. Develops the storyboard, scenarios and decision points, drawing on Common Country Analyses and evaluation reports to construct worlds grounded in real conditions. Also supported funding through the Programme Innovation Fund and drafted procurement instruments, including the Request for Information, Request for Proposal and terms of reference. In early development.
Storyboard and scenario designDecision-making under complexityClimate · Land · Biodiversity
09
Digital platform · Knowledge management · 2014–2016
Post-2015 Learning Hub
Designed the platform architecture and managed content for the Post-2015 Learning Hub — a curated digital learning resource for UN staff during the pivotal transition to the 2030 Agenda. Drafted the Director's speech for the platform launch alongside Amina Mohammed. Managed "SD Talks," a video library featuring senior UN officials explaining key sustainable development concepts.
Launched with Amina MohammedSD Talks video library2030 Agenda transition