Over the last century, much of the world’s economic progress has been based on finite resources
- fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. While this has led to extraordinary technologies such as
motorized vehicles and advances in medical equipment, it has also irreversibly changed our
planet: today, we are facing environmental, health, and social crises never seen before. The
problem: our linear economic model aims at growth at all costs. As the planet is finite, this system
has failed to respect the environment as the source of which all life depends. Circular bioeconomy
seeks to break with this linear approach. It is an economic model which offers compelling
opportunities for a transition to a sustainable economic framework, emphasizing the use of
renewable resources, minimizing waste, and replacing non-renewable, fossil-based products. It
is an economy that prospers in harmony with the natural environment and aims to critically
reduce the global ecological footprint by using materials for as long as possible and promoting
emissions-reducing practices. This model is, however, not as new as it sounds. Humanity has lived
for thousands of years without using fossil fuels. This has shifted with the Industrial Revolution,
population growth and changing consumption patterns. Today, we need to start thinking
differently again. In this course we will examine the ecological, social, cultural, and economic
impacts of our current economic system and the opportunities for change offered by a
sustainable and circular bioeconomy. We will examine how sustainability and circularity can be
embedded into bioeconomy strategies, policies, and practices. Finally, we will hear from and visit
people, projects, organizations, and companies who are already using innovative solutions for a
just and more sustainable future, recognizing that there is no future for business as usual.
The roles and responsibilities of businesses are becoming increasingly urgent and complex, and the importance of ethical conduct, environmental stewardship, social accountability, and responsible leadership are gaining recognition as essential elements in business management. In this course, we will pay attention to challenges and strengths of different types of national businesses that are part of the food production chain in relation to responsible management.
This course is an applied course that will be taught as a combination between theory and a strong emphasis on practical analyses. Specifically, we will get to know different aspects of responsible management and build on knowledge gained from previous classes such as Social Responsibility in order to explore and respectfully evaluate companies’ responsible management practices. For that, this course consists of a guest lecture, three field components with national businesses (one will be held on campus), class and personal reflections, and a final group presentation.
The year 2023 has been characterized by two major trends: the global and general recognition that we need to embrace ‘sustainability’ if we do not want to face catastrophic consequences at socio-economic and environmental levels; and the recognition that we are facing complex and systemic challenges, that can not be addressed in isolation.
The War is spreading in several regions of the world, globalization is undermined by the incapacity of establishing cooperation and collaboration and inequality is widening.
As a reaction, our leaders understand that to overcome such complex challenges there is a need to strengthen stakeholders’ collaboration and align efforts towards common goals. The year 2023 has been declared the ‘Sustainability Year’ in the UAE as well as in other regions of the world. COP28 confirmed the global priority of decarbonization, contributing to energy security and a just transition to more renewable energy sources. And WEF 2024 is very much looking at how AI can become a driving force for change, increasing productivity and reducing costs. But also looks at how to reimagine globalization to create more resilient supply chains and promote value creation.
But is this enough to transform our society to enable more inclusive, just, and sustainable growth?
The SDG12 “Responsible Consumption and Production” recognizes that unsustainable patterns of production and consumption are the root causes of triple planetary crises: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Our reliance on natural resources is increasing rising over 69% globally between 2000 and 2019 and will increase exponentially due to demographic trends and increased market demand also caused by current strategies of decarbonization (i.e. electrification and energy transition).
Food waste along the supply chain is reaching a critical level while food insecurity is widespread worldwide. At the same time, the number of people affected by hunger globally rose to 828 million in 2021, with an increase of 46 mln since the outbreak of COVID.
Most of the waste has not been adequately managed and it is generating alarming levels of pollution and contamination. Materials entering our economy have been recycled at a rate lower than 13%.
The current inflationary crisis is adding a heavy load on the most vulnerable, increasing their living costs and pushing more people to extreme poverty. According to the World Bank, the number of people in extreme poverty (under $2.15) rose by 70 million to more than 700 mln, a number destined to grow due to the continuation of the war in Ukraine and the intensity of the war in Palestine.
Bearing in mind all the above, this course aims to provide a deeper understanding of the current global business and societal environment (where are we now?); by referencing theoretical frameworks on sustainability, social responsibility, and responsible leadership (what is meant by?) and by getting inspired by practical examples showing a new way of thinking and behaving in all sectors of society (How to contribute?). It will also critically review the role organizations (public, private, and civil) and individuals play and the responsibility they hold in promoting more responsible and sustainable behaviours.
The world of the 21st century faces a series of challenges that threaten political, economic, social and environmental stability, endangering the very existence of the planet. To meet these challenges, the international community proposed a series of global objectives with the aim of achieving a kind of stability and guaranteeing maximum well-being for humanity in general, as well as for the various forms of life that inhabit the planet.
To understand the feasibility of these global goals proposed towards 2030, it is necessary to study their materiality on the ground, together with their interaction with political, economic, socio-cultural and geographical factors, and the ways in which these goals can be achieved through respect for nature, people's well-being and peace.
Specifically, the course is designed for the University for Peace Master's programs, Responsible Management and Sustainable Economic Development, and Development Studies and Diplomacy. The purpose of this course is framed within Development Studies through the use of analytical tools from geopolitics and geoeconomics for a better understanding of the relationship between the Sustainable Development Goals, the global situation in the XXI century and critical reflection for the approach of collective proposals for their realization.
This course is an introduction to development studies and international cooperation. The course covers the historical origins of development thinking in the post colonial world. It reviews modernization theory and the implications it had for foreign policy during the cold war period. This is contrasted with a critical review of dependency theories and structuralism. The course then uncovers the precepts of the Washington consensus as an introduction to the thinking of Amartya Sen and the world of alternative participatory development, the fields of popular education and participatory learning and action. This review (first week of the course) combines the description of developmental theories and concepts, with a deconstruction of the policies pursued by the man development agencies (World Bank, UN Agencies, BINGOS, CBOs, etc.). The second week of the course introduces students to the sustainable development goals and the concept of multilateralism. The SDGs are presented as a set of indicators that can lead humanity towards collective action for urgent systemic change. The final week of the course explores key current hot topics in development practice Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, Gender Mainstreaming, Disaster Risk Reduction and Multistakeholder Partnerships.
Through a combination of lectures and workshop dynamics students will learn to distinguish between the main concepts, theories and tools of development thinking and practice. The course will allow participants to explore "development" and "International Cooperation" as ideas, professions, institutions and narratives. The course is structured into 14 lessons, each composed of a lecture and two group work activities designed to build skills of students in the use of technical tools commonly used by development practitioners. Classes and lectures are designed to reinforce a sense of urgency and hope for transformative development practice among participants.