Quick start guide

Agora is UNICEF’s Global Hub for Learning and Development. It offers tailored learning solutions to UNICEF’s staff, partners, and supporters. Launched in 2015, Agora provides personalized access to over a thousand learning opportunities. The portal also supports career development and development planning through online tools such as online courses, learning channels, and learning paths.

Agora can be accessed from any computer or mobile device connected to the internet. The platform is also available in English, Spanish and French. You can find learning opportunities in those and more languages in the catalogue.

This brief guide will get you started on Agora, from the creation of an account to navigation elements and key features.


Account registration and login








There are two processes. It is important that you use the one corresponding to your user profile: 

UNICEF staff members with an active UNICEF email address already have an Agora account. If requested, use the same username and password that you would use to access your UNICEF Outlook mailbox. 

If you are not a UNICEF staff member, you can register for free. Agora is open to donors, government officials, students, UN staff, and the general public – everybody is welcome! To register for your free account, you only need to select the option Create an account and complete the registration form. 











After completing all the required fields in the form and passing the security challenge or reCAPTCHA you have to select Create my new account. Then you will receive an email notification from agora@unicef.org with a link to confirm your account. 

If you can’t find the email in your mailbox, you can contact us at agora@unicef.org. We would be glad to help you! 

 

Edit your profile and preferences 








After you complete the registration process, and your account is active you can modify your information and preferences. Your Profile settings are accessible from the top right corner. There you can upload a profile picture and share a few words about your interests as a learner. You can also update your email communication preferences and (if you are not a UNICEF staff member) verify or change your password details. 

 

Set notifications 













To change your communication preferences, go to your Profile page. Then, look for the User details block, and then click on the Edit Profile link. An editable profile form will appear. Scroll down to the end of the page and click on the title Communication preferences. The option "Receive Site Announcements email notifications" will appear. Check or uncheck the tick box according to your preference. Finally, click the Update profile button to save changes. 

 

Agora's interface and basic functionalities 


Main dashboard




  1. In the menu bar, you can access your user profile, Agora's mailbox, change language, and more. 
    The globe icon opens a dropdown menu that allows you to change the platform's language. Select between English, Spanish, or French. 
    The envelope icon takes you to your Agora mailbox. The user icon and name tag open a dropdown menu where you can access your profile, change preferences, or log out. 

  1. In the header, you can open the navigation menu and search for learning opportunities. 
    The Menu button opens a drawer that contains quick access to My Learning, My Reports, Browse learning activities, and Support and documentation. 

  1. The breadcrumb allows you to see the location of a page and gives you the option to freely navigate the hierarchy. 
    The home icon will take you to Agora's home page. 

  1. Blocks contain information relevant to your profile. These are My channels, Recent learning, My mandatory courses, and Latest Badge. All blocks display information collected from your user profile, activity registration, and progress in activities. They are useful tools to keep track of your learning activities. 

  1. The slider contains information of interest in new learning opportunities. 

  1. Navigation quick links: The menu contains buttons to access My Learning, My Plan, Catalogue, and Help.


Explore the catalogue and find learning opportunities 


Browse learning activities and resources using the Agora Catalogue. Access the catalogue from your dashboard. Once you are on it, you can filter the search and refine your results with the Filters accordion located on the top left corner of the page. 


Enrolment and completion of learning activities




If you see an activity or course that interests you, click on “learn more” to view the details and decide whether this is the right opportunity for you. Note that enrolment methods may differ from one activity to another - from self-enrolment to request for approval or a different application process. The enrolment method will be indicated on the summary page of each activity, in the Enrolment Options block. 


Record of Learning 


Available in your backpack or as a sub-menu item under My Learning, your Record of Learning displays all Activities that you have started or completed. Quick links to the activities you most recently accessed are also available on the home page and in your backpack.

Contact us


If you have any questions or comments related to this guide or how to use Agora, please email us at agora@unicef.org

Last modified: Friday, 18 September 2020, 2:07 AM