University of GenevaUNEP United Nations Environment Programme

PartnershipGraduate Institute of International and Development Studies

CollaborationSustainability Challenge Foundation (SCF)

University for Peace (UPEACE)International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Additional supportGeneva Environment Network (GEN)

C e r t i f i c a t e o f A d v a n c e d S t u d i e s i nE n v i r o n m e n t a l D i p l o m a c y

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B a c k g r o u n d

This training programme was launched for the first time inAugust 2006 at the beautiful Château de Bossey near Geneva,and repeated in 2007 and 2008.

The courses attract a large number of highly qualified applicants,from which balanced groups of about 30 participants from nearly asmany countries are selected.

Participants include mid-career diplomats, officials from ministries ofenvironment, staff of international organizations, and representativesof non-governmental organizations and the private sector.

The Certificate of Advanced Studies in Environmental Diplomacyprovides an intense immersion in the latest political issues on theinternational environmental agenda, where leading practitionersshare their experience with participants. It covers the scientificknowledge, political sensitivity and practical negotiating techni-ques relevant to the development and implementation of bothlegal and voluntary international agreements.

It introduces and provokes discussions on major environmentalconcerns in areas such as climate change, energy, biodiversity, waterand trade, always looking at the broader context of sustainabledevelopment. It explores what contribution ethics, religion andscience, human security and conflict prevention, and sound gover-nance can make towards solving these problems.

A cross cutting thematic approach

Each year the course takes a cross cutting thematic approach to givecoherence to the instruction. In 2007 the issue was energy securityvs sustainability, and in 2008 preventing overshoot and collapse inthe management of the Earth’s resources.

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O b j e c t i v e sThe Geneva Programme in Environmental Diplomacy teaches and trains present andfuture policy and decision-makers towards the required skills to

n understand the nature of specific environmental concerns as well as their placeand weight in multilateral negotiations

n participate in global negotiations in environment, sustainable developmentand related fields

n be able to express the view of government in international negotiationn become aware of the cross-cutting nature of environmental issuesn find constructive solutions to the challenges of today’s world

The political positioning and influence of regional and sub-regional groupings,negotiations and instruments are given full attention. Environmental concerns andobjectives are dealt with in the broader context of sustainable development with itsfull range of potentially conflicting sectoral views, and linked to issues such as trade,investment and human rights.

The programme facilitates debate, dialogue and interaction with:n multi-sectoral environmental programmes, for instance the work-programmes

of UNEP, the Economic Commission for Europe and IUCN n organizations/programmes/events of high relevance for the environmental

community, e.g. the UN General Assembly 2nd Committee, the Commission onSustainable Development, the World Trade Organization, and relevant globalconferences or rounds of negotiation

n major projects with potential environmental impacts, for instance large miningprojects

n institutional debates on, for instance, UN reform or environmental governancen post-conflict assessment, pre-conflict early warning and actual emergency

operations

A u d i e n c e The programme is aimed at present or future diplomats, negotiators, policy and decision-makers in governments, regional intergovernmental bodies, local authorities, theprivate sector, NGOs, trade unions and UN bodies.

I N T R O D U C T I O N T O T H E P R O G R A M M E

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The theme for 2009 will be:the financial crisis and the green economy

DISTANCE LEARNING 25 May - 22 August 2009This gives participants the background needed to participate effectively in the intensivecourse in Geneva. Participants will acquire basic knowledge in the 11 modules includingnegotiation techniques.

The following main elements are used to train and evaluate participants:n readings (up to 40 pages per module) n quizzes n writing of essays n interactive tools: forum and chats

A particular emphasis is laid on contacts and exchanges among participants and between participants and module coordinators, who will closely coach them.All the evaluation exercises are required and should be completed before the intensivecourse. Satisfactory performance on this part of the course is necessary to earn theCertificate in Environmental Diplomacy.

INTENSIVE TWO-WEEK COURSE 23 August - 6 September 2009Introductory session: The Financial Crisis and the Green EconomySponsored by the Geneva Environment Network (GEN) and chaired by the ExecutiveDirector of UNEP or his Representative, the Panel of High-level Speakers will explore theinternational and diplomatic consequences for the environment of the financial crisisand the challenges and opportunities opened by the necessary replacement of an unsustainable system by a green economy.Intensive courses: 11 modules

THESIS September - 31 December 2009With supervision at a distance A thesis or project requiring 90 hours of work should be completed by 31 December 2009 toobtain the certificate. The thesis, supervised by one of the members of the ScientificCommittee, can be a practical project in the participant’s professional environment.

P R O G R A M M E

S t r u c t u r e

Three compulsory components:

Distance learning component 25 May - 22 August 2009To provide the background necessary to fully benefit from the intensive course activities.

An intensive two-week course 23 August – 6 September 2009The intensive programme comprises 11 modules and includes lectures as well asnegotiation exercises.

Preparation of a thesis by 31 December 2009, with supervision at a distanceAfter the course, each participant is required to prepare a thesis or equivalentpractical project before 31 December 2009.

Each module includes:n 18 teaching hours of e-learning, lectures, case studies and practical exercisesn 42 hours of individual preparation

The preparation of the thesis involves 90 hours of work.

A c c r e d i t a t i o nTogether the 11 modules and the thesis form a training programme of 750 hours representing 25 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System).Successful completion of the programme earns a University of Geneva Certificate ofAdvanced Studies in Environmental Diplomacy.

F a c u l t y a n d s p e a k e r sHigh-level speakers and leading figures in environmental diplomacy will lectureduring the course and participate in an opening topical debate.

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Energy and EnvironmentHow to turn the challenges of the financial crises into an opportunity for investing in sustainable energy, through international collaboration in various fora and global governance within and beyond the UN system, with specific attention to access for thepoor to modern energy, and facilitating the transition to a low carbon society to mitigateclimate change.n Dr Sylvia Karlsson, Finland Futures Research Centre, Turku School of Economicsn Mr Mark Radka, Chief, Energy Branch, UNEP

Climate ChangeUpdate, analysis and debate on the scientific assessments, the Kyoto Protocol mechanismsand the post Bali political negotiating processes.n Prof Martin Beniston, Climate Change and Climate Impacts, University of Genevan Dr Douglas Cripe, Senior Scientist, C3I, University of Genevan Dr Kilaparti Ramakrishna, Policy Advisor, Office of the Executive Director, UNEPn Dr Stephane Goyette, Senior Lecturer, C3I, University of Geneva

BiodiversityReview of the contributions of biodiversity to human welfare, relevant internationalagreements, the challenges facing biodiversity and steps being taken to integrate biodiversity into sustainable development.n Mr Jeffrey A. McNeely, Chief Scientist, IUCNn Ms Ivonne Higuero, Coordinator PEBLDS Joint Secretariat, UNEP

Trade, Investment and EnvironmentConsideration of political, legal and economic issues around trade and environment,the role of the World Trade Organization and International Financial Institutions,concerns for civil society and developing countries, sustainable investment and production,and the role of multinational enterprises.n Mr Matthias Meyer, Executive Director, Praximondon Mr Richard Newfarmer, World Bank, Geneva

Environmental Governance An examination of the development and evolution of global environmental governanceand the role and performance of international environmental organizations, looking atchallenges and possible solutions.n Prof Liliana Andonova, Assoc. Professor of Political Science, Graduate Institute of

International and Development Studies, Genevan Prof Maria Ivanova, Assistant Professor of Government and Environmental Policy,

The College of William and Mary, USA

Negotiation Skills and Techniques (cross-cutting module)Review of negotiation theory and analysis, conflict resolution and the mutual gainsapproach to negotiation, alternated with interactive simulation exercises that helpdevelop participants' negotiation skills. Participants will also negotiate a joint statementabout the Financial Crisis and the Green Economy.n Ms Ida Koppen, Sustainability Challenge Foundation, Netherlands/Geneva n Dr Valentin Yemelin, UNEP/GRID-Arendal, Norway

Sustainable DevelopmentCritical review and discussion around the current debate on sustainable development,including the trade offs between its economic, social and environmental dimensions,with an emphasis on the role of civil society and participation in the decision-makingprocess.n Pr Beat Bürgenmeier, University of Genevan Dr Céline Germond-Duret, University of St Andrewsn Pr Roderick Lawrence, University of Geneva

WaterInternational water politics; an analysis of transboundary water resources, from thethreat of water conflicts to integrated water management.n Dr Mahmoud Hamid, Department of Environment, Peace and Security, University

for Peace, Costa Rican Dr Catherine Ferrier, School of Economic and Social Sciences, University of Geneva.

Law and PolicyAnalysis of the international legal system, including the challenges to the principles ofinternational environmental law in selected conventions, and the bottlenecks in thenegotiating process.n Dr Iwona Rummel-Bulska, Chief Lawyer and Legal Counsel, UNEPn Ms Elizabeth Mrema, Senior Legal Officer and Chief, Biodiversity and Land Law and

Governance Unit, Division of Environmental Law and Conventions, UNEP

Ethics, Religion and ScienceReview of the role and importance of scientific evidence, ethical principles, cultures,belief systems, values and unconscious assumptions in environmental negotiations.n Dr Arthur Dahl, President, International Environment Forum, Geneva

Environmental SecurityAnalysis of the relationship between conflicts and the environment, including the securityimplications of environmental change, using natural resources and the environment forpeace-building and conflict prevention, environmental cooperation to transform resourceconflicts into opportunities for peace,and recent UN peace-building policies and strategies.n Mr Tom Deligiannis, Adjunct Professor, University for Peacen Mr Jaco Tavenier, Regional Office for Europe, UNEP

M O D U L E S A N D C O O R D I N A T O R SP R O G R A M M E

Certificate of Advanced Studies in Environmental Diplomacy 2009 www.unige.ch/formcont/environmentaldiplomacy

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“Examples of the theses 2006-2008”n Building the resilience of urban communities to disturbances of global supply-

chains and energy networksn Ecosystem services for sustainable development: Case study of Bosnia and

Herzegovinan Ethics and sustainable development: Conflict of interest or success story?n The environment and Ireland's overseas aid policyn The media and international negotiations: Agenda setting, CNN effect and the

media co-option and capture: the Nile experiencen The pulp mills case in Fray Bentos, Uruguay: ecological, social and economic aspectsn Role of ethical values in facing Climate Change and Access and benefit-sharing

challengesn Implications of Sakhalin 2 project for an international energy regime on security

and environmentn Negotiating the liberalization of environmental goodsn The road towards coherent environmental governance in the Caribbean – a case for

a Caribbean Environmental Instituten Cooperation on the Dniester river basin from an environmental security perspectiven Water scarcity in Cyprus and its implications vis-à-vis climate changen Economic and political components of the environmental security of the Caspian

Sea regionn EU bilateral cooperation on energy and climate: policy implementation and the role

of stakeholder inputn Governance challenges for water management in Turkey: the GAP programme and

the Ilisu Damn NATO and environmental security: to what extent have Environmental Security

matters been incorporated within NATO objectives and resource planning?n The role of the Convention on Biological Diversity in climate change policyn Mainstreaming environmental diplomacy: the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

in Kenyan Sustainable financial governance: bridging the investment value-chain gaps. The

Case of transboundary water resources in the Amazon River Basin.n Proposals for strengthening the Commission on Sustainable Developmentn Integrating defense in environmental security initiatives

P R O G R A M M E“The broad variety of subjects gavea very comprehensive understandingof various environmental issues andthe challenges of internationalcooperation to address them”.

“I enjoyed the interplay of peopleand their expertise, the coursecontent and the negotiation simulations”.

“The course is multidisciplinaryand addresses almost all the topicsof environment, and links them tothe most effective problem solvingmechanism: the diplomacy”.

“Adopting during simulationexercises positions whichoppose to yours in real lifemakes you understandwhere the other party iscoming from”.

“Now I have a deepknowledge of thediplomatic approachesfor env i ronmenta lissues”.

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D i r e c t i o n

Co-directorsPr Beat BÜRGENMEIER, University of GenevaMr Frits SCHLINGEMANN, Senior Adviser, UNEP, Geneva

Scientific CommitteeThe Scientific Committee is responsible for the academic content of the course, coherencebetween the modules, and course evaluations.Pr Liliana ANDONOVA, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,GenevaPr Martin BENISTON, University of GenevaMs Johannah BERNSTEIN, International Consultant, GenevaPr Beat BÜRGENMEIER, University of GenevaDr Arthur DAHL, International Environment Forum, GenevaPr Tom DELIGIANNIS, University for Peace, Costa RicaPr Cédric DUPONT, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, GenevaDr Catherine FERRIER, University of GenevaDr Céline GERMOND-DURET, University of St. Andrews, United KingdomDr Sylvia KARLSSON, Turku School of Economics, FinlandMs Ida KOPPEN, Sustainability Challenge Foundation, Netherlands/GenevaPr Tuomas KUOKKANEN, University of Joensuu, FinlandPr Roderick LAWRENCE, Faculty of SES, University of GenevaMs Gillian MARTIN MEHERS, IUCN, SwitzerlandMr Jeffrey McNEELY, IUCN, SwitzerlandMr Matthias MEYER, Praximondo, GenevaDr Iwona RUMMEL-BULSKA, Environmental Law Branch, UNEP, NairobiMr Frits SCHLINGEMANN, Senior Adviser, UNEP, Geneva

Coordination Dr Arthur DAHL, Environmental Diplomacy Programme

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P r a c t i c a l I n f o r m a t i o n

D i p l o m a a w a r d e d The Certificate of Advanced Studies in Environmental Diplomacy awarded by theUniversity of Geneva is a postgraduate diploma.It is obtained after successfully completing a full series of 11 modules and writing a thesis, for a total of 25 ECTS credits.

A d m i s s i o n r e q u i r e m e n t s A recognized university degree in an environmental, legal, social or economic field orequivalent experience, as well as fluency in written and spoken English.Applications will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee. The number of participantsis limited to 32. Candidates will be informed by e-letter accordingly around mid-May.

F e e sCHF 8'200. - tuition fees for the full certificate programme plus CHF 1'850.- for accommodation.Participants from developing countries and countries with economies in transition whoneed limited financial assistance should so indicate in their letter of interest and specify which costs should be covered.

L o c a t i o nChâteau de Bossey, Céligny, near Geneva – Switzerland

R e g i s t r a t i o n a n d i n f o r m a t i o nFor registration please complete online the application form and questionnaire availableat www.unige.ch/formcont/environmentaldiplomacyThen, send by email or fax a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, copies of diplomasand a proof of fluency in English, before 21 April 2009 to:celine.duret@unige.ch Fax : 0041 22 379 78 30Certificate of Advanced Studies in Environmental DiplomacyService Formation Continue / Advanced Studies CentreUniversity of Geneva24, rue Général DufourCH-1211 Geneva 4

Certificate of Advanced Studies in Environmental Diplomacy 200910 11

Certificate of Advanced Studies inE n v i r o n m e n t a l D i p l o m a c y

U n i v e r s i t y o f G e n e v aService Formation ContinueAdvanced Studies Centre

24, rue Général DufourC H - 1211 G e n e v a 4S w i t z e r l a n d

T 0041 22 379 78 33F 0041 22 379 78 30info-formcont@unige .ch

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