45th UNEP/UNESCO/BMU International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries

Duration: 12 January - 14 July 2022

Application period: 01 April - 12 May 2021

Relevance and course concept

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were a remarkable advancement when adopted by the United Nations in 2015. For the first time, the world committed towards a broad spectrum of common goals ranging from climate action to sustainable economic growth, from life below water to sustainable cities, ending hunger and poverty to responsible consumption and production, and reduced inequalities to inclusive industrialisation. Agenda 2030 is a clear recognition that our biosphere's preservation depends on the sustainable stewardship of planet Earth.

Worldwide, implementation of both the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement is lagging far behind the ambitious targets. In support of both agreements, the UNEP/UNESCO/BMU 6-month course follows an integrated and interdisciplinary approach putting methods and instruments for making more progress at the centre, and covering sustainability, environmental management and nature-based solutions. The curriculum is organised in several modules comprising conservation and restoration ecology, water and atmosphere, soil and land resources, sustainable urban and regional development, waste management and circular economy, renewable energy and energy efficiency. An overarching science-policy interface frames all disciplines.

Moreover, all participants will train fundamental, cross-sectoral relevance skills such as policy advice, presentation skills, project planning and management, which can be applied in the context of their local realities as well as communication across disciplines and cultures, participatory government practices, and understanding of geo-information.

The overall approach is to blend academic knowledge with local, traditional and professional expertise for finding practical and practicable solutions.

The lectures are given by professors of Technische Universität Dresden and experts from various national and international institutions, including also the collaboration of CIPSEM alumni. Participants are required to carry out a research project with a scientific scope on a specific environment-related subject and present the results of this work in a symposium at the end of the course.

Objectives

After attending the course, participants have acquired the knowledge and ability to develop multi- and inter-disciplinary measures and strategies for sustainable development and to to implement them appropriately for environmental protection and management that considers ecological, socio-economic, political and cultural aspects. In this way, they contribute to large-scale systemic changes and fundamental redirections in people-planet relationships that can have an impact at magnitudes that match the challenges of our time and are essential for accomplishing the SDGs.

Target groups

This course is particularly designed for experts and managers of public governance and administration at the national, regional and local level requiring an overall-competence in environmental matters. However, professionals from science, economy or civil society and who already bear responsibility for sustainable development in their countries are welcome to apply. To be eligible, candidates need to originate from and work in developing countries, including newly industrialised economies. Applicants also need to have several years of professional practice in the course's scope for a mutually beneficial exchange of experiences. A first university degree (e.g. BA, BSc,), adequate communication skills in the English language, and the delegating institution's nomination are mandatory.

Application and participation

Qualified professionals are welcome to apply for this training between 1 April and 12 May 2021 on CIPSEM’s online application portal. Our International Steering Committee selects the 21 participants of this course by August 2021. Only selected participants will be informed via email. Participants successfully completing this course will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management.

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For more information, please visit www.tu-dresden/cipsem