Step is an initiative of the United Nations and operates as part of The United Nations University (UNU) – the academic arm of the United Nations (UN).

• UNU bridges the academic world and the UN system
• Its goal is to develop sustainable solutions for current and future problems of humankind in all aspects of life
• Through a problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approach, UNU aims at applied research and education on a global scale
• UNU was founded in 1973 and is an autonomous organ of the UN General Assembly

The University comprises of its Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, and more than a dozen Institutes and programmes worldwide.