Global Challenges - Sustainable Futures

label Diverse autorenew 2025-09-29, 17:01 history_edu Diana Ignat
The course introduces students to the theory, ethics, law 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 the current system of international law with its normative principles (sovereignty, equality, human rights) and institutions (governments, international organisations, civil society). In many ways, the current system is 'eurocentric', i.e. shaped through the European experience, but with globalization, including the emergence of new power centres such as China, the entire system of international law is beginning to change its character. The Earth Charter, in particular, is reflective of this change and, at the same time, a model of future governance based on partnership and common responsibility for the Earth.This course is taught at Freie Universitat Berlin (Germany) as part of the China Europe International Summer School (CEISS). CEISS is a collaboration between Fudan University (China), Utrecht University (Netherlands), Freie Universitat Berlin (Germany), University of Copenhagen (Denmark) and Edvance Education International (China), and offers 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:- Dynamics of the Chinese Economy- Politics, Public Policy and Social Change in China- Economic Development of EU Member States- Democracy, Democratisation and Civil Society in Comparative Perspective- Cultures of Empire

Period
19-07-2014 - 02-08-2014 (2 weeks)

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.

Credits
4.0 ECTS credits

Course fee
EUR 1420[Convert to USD]Course + course materials + housing + insurance

Course leader
Dr. Andrzej Ancygier (Freie Universitt Berlin)

China Europe International Summer School
Address: Cameo Center, Bldg 2, Rm 1001 16 Guangshun Nandajie
Postal code: 100102
City: Beijing
Country: China
Website: http://www.chinaeuropesummerschool.eu
E-mail: info@chinaeuropesummerschool.eu
Phone: +86 10 84764050