Apply for the fully funded UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries

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Closing Date: 23 April 2025

Apply for the fully funded UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries

Motivation

The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations in 2015 marked a significant milestone in global sustainable development. For the first time, the world collectively committed to pursuing a comprehensive set of common goals. These encompassed critical areas ranging from climate action to promoting sustainable economic growth, from securing life under water to promoting sustainable cities, from addressing hunger and poverty to advocating for responsible consumption and production, and from reducing inequalities to promoting inclusive industrialization.

Course concept and objectives

The 2030 Agenda, encapsulated in the SDGs, recognizes that the preservation of our biosphere depends on responsible and sustainable stewardship of planet Earth. It underscores the interconnectedness of various aspects of human activity with the health and vitality of our environment, and emphasizes the need for a holistic and forward-looking approach to global challenges. Globally, however, the realization of the ambitious goals set by the SDGs has fallen significantly behind schedule. To address this challenge and align with the goals of these important international agreements, the UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV 6-month International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management takes an integrated and interdisciplinary approach, encompassing key facets of sustainability and environmental management.

The International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management curriculum is organized into several modules covering conservation and restoration ecology, water and atmosphere, soil and land resources, sustainable urban and regional development, waste management, circular economy and resource efficiency, renewable energy and energy efficiency, climate change, and natural resource governance. An overarching science-policy interface frames all disciplines.

In addition, all participants will acquire basic skills with cross-sectoral relevance, 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 governance practices, and understanding of geo-information.

CIPSEM follows an integrative and interdisciplinary approach to teaching, which not only provides knowledge about global environmental processes and methods for sustainable resource management, but also fosters the ability to think holistically about environmental problems and solutions. The overall approach is to combine academic knowledge with local, traditional and professional expertise. The curriculum is enhanced by practical exercises, group work, interaction with fellow participants from different regions of the world and a variety of excursions.

The lectures are given by professors of TUD Dresden University of Technology and experts from various national and international institutions — from the German Environment Agency, the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, UNU-FLORES, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development, among many others. The course program also includes contributions from CIPSEM alumni. Participants are required to carry out a research project, in the form of a scientific paper, on a specific environmental topic of their choice and to present the results of this work in a symposium at the end of the course.

Target groups

This course is particularly designed for qualified professionals and future leaders 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 who already bear responsibility for sustainable development in their countries are welcome to apply as well. To be eligible, candidates need to originate from and work in developing countries, including emerging 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 from 18 March until 23 April 2025 on CIPSEM’s online application portal. The Steering Committee selects 21 participants of this course by July 2025. Selected participants will be informed via email.

Participants stay in CIPSEM’s comfortable single studio apartments and receive a stipend to cover basic living expenses (€550/month). In addition, flights, health insurance, public transport tickets, costs of overnight stays for excursions etc., will be covered. The course office will provide additional manifold assistance. Participants successfully completing this course will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management.