Applications for the 2025 free short online course offerings of the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice Programme are open

Ednah Carrick July 16, 2025

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Applications for the 2025 short online course offerings of the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice Programme are open

Closing Date: 20 July 2025

Applications for the 2025 free short online course offerings of the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice Programme are open

The application period for the Autumn 2025 short online course offerings of the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice is still open

What is the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice Programme?

The Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice (DE-GSJ) programme aims to harness the potential of international law to empower communities and governments across the globe, and in particular in highly vulnerable countries to respond to the world’s convergence of crises. This programme, co-hosted by Lucy Cavendish College and Hughes Hall (University of Cambridge) offers free and accessible courses on the law and policy dimensions of sustainability to learners from around the world and trains law and policy specialists to implement essential treaties on all levels.

Who can take these courses?

The Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice programme is primarily designed to train law and policy leaders. However anyone committed to making a difference through policy and law to promote sustainable development can join this wide community of practice.

Courses Outline

Key Essentials: The Sustainable Development Goals and the Law (1 – 14 September 2025)
Key Essentials: The Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development and the Law (1 – 14 September 2025)
Key Essentials: The Global Biodiversity Framework, Sustainable Development and the Law (13 – 26 October 2025)

Key Essentials: The Sustainable Development Goals and the Law

This self-paced online course provides leaders and learners in law and policy making, analysis, practice and reporting, from governments, academia and civil society and practitioner communities with an overview of the emerging approaches and frameworks of sustainable development law.
The course examines key challenges, solutions, and the role of law in scaling up implementation worldwide and in learners’ jurisdictions.

Learning Objectives

Introduce learners to the relevance of sustainable development law and governance.
Engage learners in thinking critically about how sustainable development is reflected in law and governance worldwide.
Introduce learners to the role of governance in sustainable development law.
Prepare learners to strengthen the role of law and policy in monitoring and reporting.
Inspire learners to advance their global careers in sustainability and justice.

Module 1: Introduction to the SDGs
Module 2: Sustainable Development Law Principles and Practices
Module 3: Law and Practice of SDGs in the Global Economy
Module 4: Law and Practice of SDGs in the Global Biosphere
Module 5: Law and Practice of SDGs
Module 6: Couse Conclusion and Final Remarks

Key Essentials: The Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development and the Law

As global temperatures rise and climate change causes more severe and frequent natural disasters, its impacts threaten to undermine decades of social and economic development, not only disrupting efforts to protect the environment, but also preventing human’s rights to life, health, food and water.
This entirely online, self-paced course provides leaders and learners in law and policy making, analysis, practice and reporting, from governments, academia and civil society and practitioner communities with an overview of the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The course examines key challenges, solutions, and the role of law in scaling up implementation worldwide and in learners’ jurisdictions.

Learning Objectives

Introduce learners to pressing climate change law and governance challenges.
Explore the Paris Agreement and the tools it offers for policy and law makers, including access to finance, transparency and science.
Identify and analyse innovative domestic legal and policy solutions.
Prepare learners to strengthen the role of law and policy in monitoring and reporting.
Inspire learners to advance their global careers in sustainability and justice.

Module 1: Course Introduction and Orientation
Module 2: Climate Mitigation and Net Zero Transitions
Module 3: Climate Adaptation, Resilience and Loss & Damage
Module 4: Climate Finance, Carbon Markets and Low-GHG Emissions Development Pathways
Module 5: Climate Compliance, Capacity and Transparency Framework
Module 6: Course Conclusion and Final Remarks

Key Essentials: The Global Biodiversity Framework, Sustainable Development and the Law

Biodiversity loss has occurred at alarming rates over the last few decades, to the extent that species extinction is occurring approximately 1000 times faster than baseline levels.
This entirely online, self-paced course provides leaders and learners in law and policy making, analysis, practice and reporting, from governments, academia and civil society and practitioner communities with an overview of the Global Biodiversity Framework under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
The course examines key challenges, solutions, and the role of law in scaling up implementation worldwide and in learners’ jurisdictions.

Learning Objectives

Introduce learners to pressing biodiversity law and governance challenges.
Explore the Global Biodiversity Framework and the tools it offers for policy and law makers, including access to finance, transparency and science.
Identify and analyse innovative domestic legal and policy solutions.
Prepare learners to strengthen the role of law and policy in monitoring and reporting.
Inspire learners to advance their global careers in sustainability and justice.

Module 1: Course Introduction and Orientation
Module 2: Nature Conservation, Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Protection
Module 3: Sustainable Use and Management of Biodiversity, Trade of Wildlife Species and Ecosystem Valuation
Module 4: Benefit-Sharing and Protection of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge
Module 5: Biodiversity Finance, Capacity-Building, Scientific Cooperation and Tech Transfer
Module 6: Course Conclusion and Final Remarks

Key Essentials: The Wealth Economy, Sustainable Development and the Law

This self-paced, online course provides leaders and learners in economics, law and policy making, analysis, practice and reporting, from governments, academia and civil society and practitioner communities with an overview of the emerging approaches and frameworks of public policy for the Wealth Economy.
The course examines key challenges and solutions in scaling up implementation worldwide and in learners’ jurisdictions.

Learning Objectives

Introduce learners to the core challenges inherent in promoting a wealth economy.
Engage learners in thinking critically about how nature and other goods are valued in accounting codes, law and policy worldwide.Introduce learners to the role of governance in supporting a wealth economy.
Prepare learners to strengthen the role of law and policy in monitoring and reporting.
Inspire learners to continue their professional development.

Module 1: Course Introduction and Orientation
Module 2: Core Concepts in the Wealth Economy
Module 3: Wealth Economy Framework of Physical and Human Capital
Module 4: Wealth Economy Framework for Natural Capital
Module 5: Wealth Economy Framework for Social Capital
Module 6: Course Conclusion and Final Remarks

Key Essentials: Trade Rules, Sustainable Development and the Law

This entirely online, self-paced course provides leaders and learners in law and policy making, analysis, practice and reporting, from governments, academia and civil society and practitioner communities with an overview of the international trade rules and the World Trade Organization.
The course examines key challenges, solutions, and the role of law in scaling up implementation worldwide and in learners’ jurisdictions.

Learning Objectives

Introduce learners to pressing sustainable trade law and governance challenges.
Explore the international trade rules and the tools they offer for policy and law makers.
Identify and analyse innovative bilateral agreements integrating sustainable trade in practice.
Inspire learners to advance their global careers in sustainability and justice.

Module 1: Course Introduction and Orientation
Module 2: Trade Rules, Principles, Practices and Global Governance
Module 3: Law and Practice of Sustainable Trade in the Global Society
Module 4: Law and Practice of Sustainable Trade in the Global Economy
Module 5: Law and Practice of Sustainable Trade in the Global Biosphere
Module 6: Emerging Issues and Innovations in Sustainable Trade Law and Governance

Key Essentials: The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Sustainable Development, and the Law

The UNCRC is a universally accepted standard for children’s rights, addressing the social, educational, economic, and health rights of children. Its implementation is crucial for safeguarding children’s rights in the face of global challenges, including poverty, violence, discrimination, and lack of access to education.
This entirely online, self-paced course is designed for leaders and learners in law, policy-making, analysis, practice, and reporting. It targets individuals from governments, academia, civil society, and practitioner communities, offering an in-depth understanding of the UNCRC.
The short online course delves into the challenges in implementing children’s rights, potential solutions, and the role of law in promoting children’s rights globally and in specific jurisdictions.

Learning Objectives

Introduce learners to critical issues in children’s rights law and governance.
Explore the UNCRC and its mechanisms for supporting policy and law makers, including advocacy, protection, and rehabilitation strategies.
Identify and analyze innovative legal and policy solutions for children’s rights at domestic levels.
Equip learners with skills for effective monitoring, reporting, and advocating for children’s rights.
Motivate learners to advance their careers in child protection, justice, and international human rights.

Next offering of this course is scheduled in Spring of 2026.