87th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Short Course - Ecosystem restoration for SDGs: implications for natural resources management (SC87)

Duration: July 31, 2023 - September 01, 2023 (online)

Motivation

By proclaiming the UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration, governments have recognized the need to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide for the benefit of people and nature. The 2021-2030 timeline underscores the urgency of the task. For example, about one-third of the world's agricultural land is degraded, about 87 percent of inland wetlands have disappeared since 1700, and one-third of commercial fish species are overexploited. Degradation is already affecting the well-being of an estimated 3.2 billion people - that's 40 percent of the world's population. In addition, we lose ecosystem services worth more than 10 percent of our global economic output every year.

The UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration provides a unique opportunity to transform food, fiber, and feed production systems to meet 21st-century needs and eliminate poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. This short course (SC87) contributes to the powerful efforts within the Decade to restore ecosystems, without which we cannot achieve the climate goals of the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals, or the Convention on Biological Diversity targets.

Course concept and objectives

This course offers a unique opportunity to address effective and innovative landscape management that prevents and stops degradation and restores degraded ecosystems. The short course will explore critical discussions such as:

• How ecosystem restoration and other natural solutions could contribute more than a third of the total climate mitigation needed by 2030?
• How ecosystem restoration can also contribute to mitigate the risk of mass extinction and future pandemics?
• How actors from governments and businesses to civil society groups and individuals can best contribute to ecosystem restoration?
• Particular attention will be paid to the question of how to reduce the economic reliance on inefficient and destructive measures, and how to achieve sustainable development through the sustainable use of biodiversity’s economic potential.

Moreover, tools such as integrated spatial planning will be introduced in the course to improve the balance between economic, social, and environmental goals, ensure the sustainability and efficiency of these systems and reduce their overall footprint. For example, agricultural land could be restored to produce more food, converted for timber production, or restoration can be directed towards biodiversity conservation or water management.

With the course-accompanying creation of Post-Training Action Plans (PTAPs), participants prepare themselves to transfer knowledge acquired in the training into their professional action spaces.

Target groups

This course is aimed at experts who prepare and implement political decisions and practical measures towards the goals of ecosystem restoration and sustainable development in ministries, authorities, local government and non-governmental institutions of developing countries (including emerging economies).

We expect a high motivation to explore concepts for ecosystem sustainability and to work towards implementing them. A first university degree (e.g., BA, BSc) in a related field is essential. Adequate communication skills in the English language and the nomination by the delegating institution for this full-time course are mandatory.

What makes participating in this online course transformative?

• Experience of the CIPSEM team in conducting engaging, meaningful online trainings considering the challenges in developing countries and emerging economies

• A full time, 5-weeks learning experience combining live video-conference sessions, self-study units and exchange on our online learning platform

• Renowned international and German facilitators
• Financial support towards good internet access and living costs (640 €)
• Participants become part of a large international network of environmental experts and leaders (more than 2 500 alumni from 145 countries)
• Transfer of the gained knowledge and skills though mentored development of post-training action plans
• Alumni of this course can apply for one of several Transfer-to-Action-Fellowships supporting the implementation of the post-training action plan with 2000 €

Application and participation

Qualified professionals are welcome to apply for this training from 15 February until 29 March 2023 on CIPSEM’s online application portal. The Steering Committee selects 21 participants of this course by end of May 2023. Only selected participants will be informed via email. Successful participants are awarded a Certificate of Proficiency in Ecosystem restoration for SDGs: implications for natural resources management.

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