The U of N uses the word “Centre” in a restricted sense to refer to a worldwide network of persons and locations around which well-defined interdisciplinary missions objectives are facilitated, communicated, resourced, researched and organized.
The University of the Nations Centres facilitate and integrate international resources and personnel from various Colleges/ Faculties, groups and organizations, either outside or within YWAM, to accomplish well-defined mission objectives. Integration is based upon an operating agreement established between the Centre and the various groups and organizations. This agreement defines and describes how the parties plan to work together on specific projects.
Each Centre typically performs research, develops and makes available seminars, workshops, appropriate reference materials and monitoring procedures related to its objectives. Also, the Centre may develop and organize a foundational school which presents the rudiments and overview of a specific Centre’s mandate. This school is not to exceed 24 full learning weeks (including the field assignment). The catalogue identification letters “ID”, indicate that the schools are “interdisciplinary”.

Centres do NOT offer degrees, but they do work with the Colleges/Faculties to develop degree programmes related to their areas of expertise. Specialized courses and degree programmes related to the Centre’s mandate are offered within the seven Colleges/Faculties. Currently there are five functional international centres in the University of the Nations. These are: