UNEP/UNESCO/BMU International Short Course on Soil and Land Resources for Sustainable Development

UNEP/UNESCO/BMU International Short Course on Soil and Land Resources for Sustainable Development

The course with 21 participants from developing and emerging countries takes place at TU Dresden during the period October 10 – November 5, 2019. It is organized by the Centre for International Postgraduate Studies of Environmental Management (CIPSEM) in close cooperation with the Institute of Soil Science and Site Ecology. CIPSEM aims at supporting the environmentally sound and sustainable development of emerging and developing countries by assisting professionals from ministries, agencies or local government units and NGOs in improving their knowledge base and skills and through the opportunity to reflect attitudes.

Soils and land form the basis for agricultural development, sustainable forestry, essential ecosystem functions, food security and hence are vital to terrestrial life on Earth. Soil is, in the time scale of a human lifespan, a non-renewable natural resource. Thus, this short course addresses the main concepts of land resources and soil management and their importance for securing the provision of goods and services for people and ecosystems. The training addresses concepts for sustainable land management, taking the water, energy and food security nexus into consideration.

Internationally experienced facilitators shed light on minimising land degradation, rehabilitating degraded land, and increasing resilience, for instance, when facing climate variability and change. Complementary to analysing local levels, complex regional and global processes are presented. Participants deal intensively with the connections between land use and nutrient cycles in the context of watersheds and at a global level, including the interdependencies with energy generation and waste management. Practical case studies and the cross-sectoral dialogue between scientists, practicing land managers and policymakers empower the participants to develop new approaches for their areas of responsibility and provides opportunities for expanding a helpful professional network beyond the course duration.

Link:  https://tu-dresden.de/bu/umwelt/cipsem/unep-unesco-bmu/sc78