The course introduces students to the politics, ethics, and governance of sustainability. The key challenges of our time are global by nature. However, the current system of global governance based on sovereign states (often in competition with each other) is ill-equipped to meet challenges such as poverty, climate change, environmental degradation and availability of resources. As states cannot on their own provide for a sustainable future of their citizens, they are increasingly forced into a logic of sustainability for all people and responsibility for the global commons. This new logic is grounded on the scientific truth of planetary boundaries, but equally on ethical requirements (e.g. caring for the Earth).The course examines major current global challenges divided into economic, political and environmental issues with special focus on the situation in the European Union and China. In the second part of the course the main existing and potential solutions to these problems will be discussed. During the discussions in class and field trips we will try to find out why these solutions have not been implemented so far and what is needed to make our global society more sustainable, especially in economic and environmental terms. Thus, we will also analyze the current system of international treaties with their normative principles (sovereignty, equality, human rights) and institutions (governments, international organizations, civil society). Special focus will be put on the role of the United Nations as an organization whose goal has been to prevent and solve major global issues. We will try to find out to what degree the UN was effective and successful in fulfilling this mission. We will also take a look at the Earth Charter and analyze to what degree it shows the direction in which our global community should develop.This course is taught at Freie Universit%C3%A4t Berlin/FUBiS (Germany) as part of the China Europe International Summer School (CEISS). CEISS is a collaboration between Fudan University (China), Utrecht University (Netherlands), Freie Universit%C3%A4t Berlin (Germany), LUISS School of Business (Italy), Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Italy), University of Copenhagen (Denmark) and Edvance Education International (China), offering summer courses that explore the world's main economic, social and political trends and themes and the way they impact on the economies and societies of Europe and China.This course can be combined with the following CEISS courses:- Politics, Government and Social Change in China, Fudan University (Shanghai), 6-17 July 2015- Economic Development of EU Member States, Freie Universit%C3%A4t Berlin, 1 - 15 August 2015 - Law and Economics: Competition and Market Regulation in Europe and China, Fudan University (Shanghai), 6-17 July 2015

Course leader
Dr. Andrzej Ancygier (Freie Universitt Berlin)

Target group
Students of social sciences (incl. law, business, commerce), sciences and engineering at senior undergraduate or graduate level with an interest in sustainability, sustainable development. A general background in either law or another discipline relating to the environment is desirable, but no specific expertise in environmental law or governance theory is required.

Course aim
The course introduces students to the theory, ethics, law and governance of sustainability.

Fee info
EUR 1470: Course + course materials + housing + insurance EUR 0: n/a



Scholarships
Not available

China Europe International Summer School
Address: Wangjing SOHO, Tower 2, Unit A, Rm 1110 Futong Dongdajie 1
Postal code: 100102
City: Shanghai, Berlin, Utrecht, Rome
Country: China
Website: http://www.chinaeuropesummerschool.eu
E-mail: info@chinaeuropesummerschool.eu
Phone: +86 10 5707 6050