yes07 report final 001

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Youth Encounter on Sustainability YESANNUAL REPORT 2007


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Youth Encounter on Sustainability YESAnnual Report 2007

ETHsustainability

Center for Sustainability at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich)

January 2008


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Executive Summary

The Youth Encounter on Sustainability (YES), an initiative run by ETHsustainability, hasbeen offering upper-level undergraduate and graduate university students from aroundthe world a unique educational experience every summer for the past nine years. During

the two-week sessions, participants are sensitized to the diverse issues of sustainabledevelopment while bringing in their own perspectives, expertise, and experience fromaround the world. The large diversity of cultures, languages and disciplines and theopportunity to work together with other outstanding students and esteemed internationalfaculty make the YES environment both challenging and enriching for all those involved.YES is a pioneering concept in education for sustainable development that putsETHsustainability at the forefront of addressing the teaching and learning challenges ofsustainable development. The YES program in 2007 included 5 courses, with one held inJapan in partnership with Hosei University, two courses in Switzerland, one course inSlovakia, and one course in Kenya in partnership with UNEP. A total of 174 students from 63different countries underwent training in these courses, bringing the total number of YESAlumni all around the world to over 800 located in 95 different countries.

The educational model on which the course is based supports teaching and learningthrough various pedagogical methodologies. Emotional and empathy-buildingcomponents play a substantial role in the course framework and in differentiating it fromother sustainability courses. The 2007 courses were designed under the theme of Livingfor 10 Billion people by 2050, and were structured in four modules covering the concept ofsustainability; natural and human systems; physical needs (energy and materials, nutritionand health, living space); and psychological/social needs.

Each of the courses offered participants diverse activities including lectures, small groupdiscussions, student presentations, and plenary discussion with an interdisciplinary andinternational faculty and facilitators. Evening lectures and discussion with invited experts,

conversation within the group, cultural events and excursions significantly add to theexperience. This innovative approach to education relies heavily on the formation ofemotional bonds among those participating. Having students live together and shareresponsibility as well as challenging them in new ways, for example, by having them carryout creative and artistic activities with a professional artist, serves the goal of building acommunity of dedicated young people. Within each program the participants wereresponsible for carrying out a project that focussed on the application of the knowledgeand skills they had gained during the course. Within this context the participants workedover the duration of the course in small, multicultural, multidisciplinary groups to carry outbackground research, analysis and develop a project proposal for a concrete initiative thatthey could implement to contribute to sustainable development.

The YES sessions conducted in 2007 were yet again highly successful and concluded with anew group dedicated, inspired, and motivated alumni. These individuals came away with agreater understanding of other cultures and their views on sustainability matters and ofthe interconnectedness between environmental, economic and social issues. The twoweeks made them more open to others views and alternative solutions to problems aswell as making them more aware of their own capabilities and power as students and

young professionals. Each participant benefited from gaining new skills and knowledgeacross disciplinary and cultural boundaries and from learning that, despite regionaldifferences, there are others around the world with similar concerns and willingness to act.


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Contents

1 ETHsustainability the Organizer ...........................................................................................................4

2 Background - Youth Encounter on Sustainability (YES) Program...............................................5

3 The YES Approach in 2007 ........................................................................................................................... 7

3.1Course content ............................................................................................................................................... 7

3.2Setting and logistical components.......................................................................................................11

4 Outcomes and Follow up from the YES Program............................................................................ 13

5 Highlights from YES Courses around the World .............................................................................16

6 Appendices......................................................................................................................................................20

Appendix 1: Methodological Approach of YES Appendix 2: Sample Day-to-Day Program, YES Braunwald (August) 2007 Appendix 3: List of Faculty (all 5 courses)


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1 ETHsustainability the OrganizerETHsustainability was founded as the Center for Sustainability at the ETH Zurich in Januaryof 2003. The Center was established to intensify the endeavors of ETH Zurich in the area ofsustainable development by functioning as an open forum and service center in the areasof dialogue, services and education.

The Center defines sustainability as a comprehensive economic, ecological, and socialconcept. All of these three aspects must be considered in the planning and decision-making processes of all stakeholders at all levels. ETHsustainability is working to bringtogether representatives of industry, academia and society to deal with the developmentand implementation of sustainable solutions by exchanging specific information, practice-oriented networking, services, and educational platforms.

ETHsustainability focuses its activities in the three main areas of dialogue, services, andeducation:

The purpose of the dialogue areais to: Create platforms for exchanging experiences, building networks and gathering

knowledge through a practice-oriented approach.

The purpose ofthe services areais to: Guide the interactions between various departments within the ETH and among

external partners from society, industry, and academia.

Support student initiatives in the area of sustainability. Support general sustainability research, link potential project partners and provide

project management Function as an administrative capacity for initiatives in sustainable development at

the ETH Zurich and within Switzerland.

The purpose of the education area is to: Convey to future leaders from diverse backgrounds content that integrates

discipline-specific insights within an extended frame of reference and whichsensitizes them for the complex interconnectedness of systems.

Be a pioneer and experimental resource for university representatives promotingsustainability-oriented teaching within university disciplines.

Design and deliver courses outside of the traditional curricula of the currentuniversity structure.

The principal educational program of the center is the Youth Encounter on Sustainability(YES). This program was originally launched in the year 2000 under the Alliance for GlobalSustainability (AGS), however since 2004 has been the sole responsibility ofETHsustainability. During the 8 years the course has been run each one of the sessions hasprovided a unique opportunity for students worldwide to experience a new way oflearning about sustainability outside of the university context.


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2 Background - Youth Encounter on Sustainability (YES) ProgramThe focus of Education for Sustainability, from the perspective of the ETHsustainability andthe Alliance for Global Sustainability (AGS), is on lifelong learning in a practical context

taking a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural approach.

The sensitization of young academics to critical aspects of sustainable development callsfor an educational methodology that is based on a concrete framework and philosophy butthat allows flexibility with regard to content and logistics. The Youth Encounter onSustainability (YES) is the translation of this concept into an educational initiative forinternational undergraduate and graduate students. So far this program has benefitedmore than 750 students from over 90 countries and over 45 disciplines with many alumnipersonally testifying to the courses effects on their behavior and personal commitment toa sustainable future.

The importance of university level students as stakeholders in the sustainable

development debate is well established. As tomorrows leaders and decision makers theywill be the ones who must live and deal with the impacts of choices made by previousgenerations and who have to chartthe course for a more sustainableway of living. At this level ofeducation the students are wellplaced to make connections andbegin to understand the world froma systems thinking perspective.Furthermore, this is a veryimportant time in an individualslife where they are makingimportant decisions about theirfuture careers and directions. TheYES program was developed toaddress deficiencies we witness inhigher education systems aroundthe world to nurture leaders who can address the challenges we are facing in the worldtoday. As it is a long process to mainstream ESD into institutions of higher learning, theYES program aims to provide an alternative during this transitory process.

YES is much more than just a series of traditional university lectures. It is a two-weekseminar held in remote locations around the world, which offers participants diverseactivities such as lectures, small group discussions, student presentations, and plenarydiscussion with an interdisciplinary and international faculty and facilitation team. Thelearning process itself is considered to be equally important to what is actually taught overthe time period. Evening lectures and discussion with invited experts, conversation withinthe group, creative cultural events, excursions, and a two-week small-group case study addsignificantly to the experience. This innovative approach to education relies heavily on theformation of emotional bonds among those participating. Having students live togetherand share responsibility as well as challenging them in new ways, for example, by havingthem carry out creative and artistic activities with a professional artist, serves the goal ofbuilding a community of dedicated young people.


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The combination of actively participating students, young professionals and distinguishedprofessors, all of international character, offers a unique and effective platform forknowledge sharing, for increased understanding of other cultures, mindsets anddisciplines, and for experimenting with new ways of teaching and learning aboutsustainability.

ESD differs from conventional environmental education in that it must further addresscomplex social issues, such as the links between environmental quality, human equality,human rights, peace and the underpinning politics (Fein et al., 2004). Developmenttowards a more sustainable society entails conceptually planning for new forms of futureliving (Baud, 2004). Thus, ESD must develop competencies for people to deal with highlycomplex, ill-defined problems with a high degree of uncertainty. As our pursuit ofknowledge grows increasingly specialised within disciplines, we often lose sight of theoverarching goal of a humane future where every citizen has the necessary knowledge,understanding, skills and values for a productive and rewarding life in an educated, justand open society (Baud, 2004). In order to address this, the ESD model utilised in the YES

program addresses 3 fundamental tiers, as illustrated in Figure 1.

he

Figure 1.0 ESD Model applied in the YES program

A total of 5 YES courses were held around the world in 2007, with one course in Tokyo,Japan, in partnership with Hosei University, two courses in Braunwald, Switzerland, onecourse in Bratislava, Slovakia, and one course in Njoro, Kenya, in partnership with UNEP.Each of these courses brought the ESD model presented above to life by taking a uniqueand comprehensive pedagogic approach. The details of the course framework utilised forthe courses is presented in detail in the following sections.


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3 The YES Approach in 20073.1 Course contentThe YES program has evolved over the years as part of a continuous learning process ofhow to best design such an innovative two-week course. It is currently set up within theumbrella theme of Living for 10 Billion people by 2050 and is structured in four modules.These modules complement each other and are based on a framework, which is shown inFigure 2.0. An example day-to-day program is given in Appendix 2.

MODULE 1 The sustainability concept is explored as an introduction to explore theparticipants basic understanding of the theme.

MODULE 2 This module is based on the description of basic systems; distinguishingbetween natural and human systems.

MODULE 3 The third module focuses on physical needs and specifically on three issueschosen because of their importance for human existence: Energy andMaterials; Nutrition and Health; and Living Space.

MODULE 4 The final module analyses psychosocial needs, which are also consideredessential for individual and human social existence. It also deals withrelated attitude changes and ethical aspects.

These 4 modules are strongly interlinked with the content of Module 3 forming the maincomponent of the course. This module considers the options and solutions science hasgenerated regarding the basic provision of water, food, energy, land use, etc. Just asimportantly, the human living models and social and institutional structures for to supportthese technical systems are investigated. The courses integrative approach looks at thefollowing social drivers as cross-cutting themes: the economic and private sector, civilsociety, and national and international governance.

The methodological approach of the YES course, illustrated in Figure 2.0, is based on agradual progression of thinking, proposing, and working out practical solutions to guidehuman living on earth towards a sustainable future. To realize this goal, students need to

understand the concept of SD(basic understanding),examine the potential goalsof SD on a global andregional/local level (goals),and think about possible waysof reaching these goals(solutions). The social drivers(economy, civil society,governance) play a pivotal rolein the realization of solutions,which is why we refer to thesesocioeconomic carriers in allour discussions.


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Figure 2.0 Course Content Framework YES 2007

A number of pedagogic elements are incorporated into the course to ensure thatparticipants can move to proposing and implementing solutions to the complexchallenges that they learn about in the course. Three of these elements that are considered

key are outlined below:

Project Work: For the duration of the course the participants are engaged in a groupproject where they work with a multidisciplinary, multicultural group of their fellowparticipants to deliver a final project report and presentation. During the 2007 courses thestudents worked on developing concrete project proposals which required them to applythe knowledge and skills gained in the course. The participant group was divided into sixsmaller groups, each with the task of focusing on the role of a different social-

Module 3.Physical Needs

Energy and Materials Nutrition and Health Living Space

Civil Society

Economy Sector

Module 4.Psycho-Social Needs

Behaviour and Consumption Education Social Relationships

Social-

InstitutionalDriversNational and International Governmental Institutions

Basic YES Framework

Module 2.1Natural Systems

Module 2.2Human Systems

Climate Earth Systems Biodiversity

Module 1. Intro to Sustainable Development: an Ecological-Social Concept

Social SystemsPolitical SystemsEconomic Systems

Living for 10 Billion people


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institutional driver in implementing sustainable development. The six groups were asfollows:

1. Governance2. Civil Society3. Corporate sector

4. Media5. Education and Academia6. Science and Technology

Each group then analyzed the key challenges in terms of sustainable development for theirparticular social driver and selected one of these to focus on. The team was the required tocarry out background research and analysis and then develop a concrete project proposal(including vision, goals, objectives, implementation plan, project management andbudget) that they could implement themselves in their position as young academics. Anexample of the project work carried out in the YES Africa course is presented below.

Governance Group:Creation of economic enterprise for povertyreduction and human well being in SierraLeone

Civil Society:

Increasing citizen participation in governancethrough knowledge based communityempowerment

Corporate Sector:Enhancing community enterprises: a fairtourism business model

Media Group:Using media as a tool for influencingindividual and social behavior towardssustainable development in Kenya

Science & Technology:A water assessment framework for ruralcommunities in Africa: Pilot initiative inBusegera District, Rwanda

YES Africa Project Work:Engaging the Social Drivers in Building Africas Path to Sustainability


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Artististic Elements: A professional artist joins the group for the duration of the course toencourage back reflection on their experience in the course and to process the coursecontent. The artist guides the students in painting and drawing activities in small groupsto reflect on their cognitive and emotional growth and transformation during theprogram. Over the duration of the course the participants work together to produce amural which their experiences in the program and how this has shaped their

conceptualisation of sustainable development (see Figure 3.0 below)

Figure 3.0 Example of one of the YES murals created by participants in YES Africa 07

The mural now stands in the entry hall of UNEP in Nairobi(Actual Size 4 x 2 m, Stand-alone Wooden Panel)

Team Building and Communication: In 2007 a professional psychologist joined the programto carry out activities such as psycho-drama, team dynamics and communication activiteswith the group. The purpose of this is to improve social interaction in the group, developcommunication skills, and to improve participants ability to communicate, expressthemselves and realise their individual potential. All of these factors are importantleadership skills for the individual participants to be agents of positive change in theirfuture careers.


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3.2 Setting and logistical componentsOver the past eight years of YES the team involved in organizing and running the seminarhave gained extensive experience in teaching, learning, capacity building and networkcreation. This has allowed them to continuously review and effectively address thefollowing critically important aspects of the course:

Diverse disciplinary backgrounds: A group of YES participants might include an Economicsstudent from Japan, a Journalism student from Switzerland, an Environmental Sciences

student from Nepal, a Law student fromMexico, a Civil Engineering student fromMauritius, and a Psychology student fromGermany, to name just a few. It is an aim ofthe YES organizers every year to involvestudents from a large variety of disciplinesso as to take advantage of their differentperspectives and skills and allow for a trulymulti-disciplinary dialogue. In this way

participants learn to see challenges fromdifferent perspectives and are encouragedto take a broader systems approach toproblem-solving. Pre-reading material is

made available to ensure that the participants are well prepared and on similar levels ofunderstanding before the course.

Diverse cultural backgrounds: Each YES course in 2007 included participants from, onaverage, 27 different countries. The participants are rooted in a wide spectrum of cultures,ethnic backgrounds and religions. The YES approach has always been to encourage thiscultural diversity, honor it, and provide a platform through which understanding andmutual respect may flourish.

Avoidance of financial discrimination:The difficulties of the poor of our planet are a significant part of sustainable developmentconcerns, and YES organizers thus give special attention to helping students lackingfinancial resources. The approach is to look at each individual case so as to offeropportunities to students from poor countries but also to those who may face financialdifficulties as citizens of wealthier nations. The aim is for each participant to contributesomething as part of the total fee. The participation fee is all inclusive of transportationcosts, food, accommodation and activities for the duration of the program.

Gender equality: YES students are selected carefully according to their educational, extra-curricular and professional experience and according to their discipline and nationality for

sake of diversity. In addition, the selection process aims at keeping a balance between maleand female participants.

Promotion of different learning methods: YES participants have access to informationtechnology during the course; however, it is a goal of the seminar to have students usedifferent types of media to conduct research and to deliver content. A mix of targetedactivities, cognitive learning modules and emotional and practical experiences hastherefore been carefully designed for the course.


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From theory to action: YES students are certainly capable of formulating theoreticalanalyses and reports, but they are not limited to theorizing. The YES team addresses thispotential in its participants during the course by involving them in practical exercises,introducing them to existing alumni initiatives and start-ups, and offering them supportas members of the alumni network (now over 800 in number) to initiate activitiesthemselves following the course.

Faculty involvement: A diverse group of faculty taking part in YES is as important as adiverse group of students. The YES faculty base are top-level academics from the fourpartner universities of the Alliance for Global Sustainability (AGS). Over the years, facultymembers from other universities and organizations (e.g. INCAE in Costa Rica, HumboldtUniversity in Berlin, Germany, TU Vienna, UNDP, UN Habitat and UNEP in Nairobi amongmany more) have been brought in to give input on their areas of expertise as well as theirperspectives on sustainability from different knowledge fields. The list of faculty andfacilitators for YES 2007 is included in Appendix 3.

Participation of guest speakers: Discussions with guest speakers are an important featureof YES. Experts involved in sustainable development from governments, media, business,

NGOs and academia are invited to engage in dialogue with YES participants. The names ofthe participating guest speakers in 2007 can also be found in Appendix 3.

Course evaluation: It is seen as important to carefully evaluate the immediate and long-term impacts of the course, especially focusing on the behavioral changes of theparticipants that come as a result of their participation in the course. This is achievedthrough written evaluations during the course and ongoing contact with the YES alumninetwork.

Networking: YES alumni are regularly in touch through the YES alumni social networkingplatform (www.yesalumni.ethz.ch). The network is a communication platform, whichoffers dialogue space for topical discussion, web-based posting boards, participants

information, and the possibility to work and collaboratetogether. The site also allows alumni to keep in touchwith fellow participants and to come into contact withand access information from alumni from other sessions.

Inspiring Natural SettingThe physical location where the course takes placecontributes significantly to the educational experience.The YES course locations in 2007 included the Swiss Alps,Mt Fuji in Japan, the countryside surrounding historicBratislava in Slovakia, and the Rift Valley in Kenya, whichall combine unique natural and man made settings and

provide opportunities for outdoor activities in connectionto the content of the course. An ideal environment for aholistic educational experience is one which encouragesattentiveness and reflection through group interactionand personal activities, promoting the development of acollective feeling of a need for action. Having students live and work together in anisolated and inspiring environment plays an important role in building a connectedcommunity of dedicated leaders.


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4 Outcomes and Follow up from the YES ProgramYES participants are selected through a rigorous application procedure that assesses theindividuals leadership skills, academic capabilities, commitment to sustainable development andtheir ability to fully participate in the course based on language skills, academic, extra-curricularand professional experience. Over the past eight years, this selection process has proven to bevery successful with the core team being repeatedly impressed by the competent, intelligent andinspiring participants and with the students generally finding their expectations of the coursesurpassed.

Via communication with the participants prior, during and after the sessions as well as via courseevaluations, it has been possible to identify some of the key outcomes and benefits gained as aresult of participation in the YES program.

Some of those worth highlighting are the following:

An increased knowledge and understanding of key sustainable development challengesand their potential solutions at both global and local levels;

Improved cross-cultural communication and awareness Team-building and networking skills An appreciation of a systems thinking approach Intense practice in preparing and delivering effective presentations and communicating

key messages and ideas The ability to explore various problem solving methodologies Increased awareness of ones own regional situation and how this fits into the global

context Enriching interactions with professionals and experts from different sectors and countries The belonging to an international network of more than 750 future leaders committed to

sustainability in over 85 countries Greatly improved knowledge and understanding from various disciplines that has not been

previously experienced in other academic settings The psychosocial needs module bought in social and pshycological perspectives

fundamental to sustainability that are not often integrated into teaching on the topic Future support from ETHsustainabilitys dedicated team of international professionals

The above listed factors can also be viewed not just as personal gains but also as future benefits topotential employers of YES alumni. As employees, YES alumni will have a superior cultural andcross-disciplinary awareness as well as the ability to access expertise in many areas of sustainabledevelopment. They will increase any organizations intellectual and human capital on issues

related to sustainable development strategies at a local and global level. Those members of theworkforce that have participated in YES are individuals that were impressive students and youngactivists and entrepreneurs; in addition, as a result of their participation, they have gone throughan extraordinary experience, which has made them more open to the need to be able tocommunicate internationally and to the diversity of existing perspectives and problem-solvingmethodologies, two aspects generally viewed as essential in todays globalized working world.They are less likely to allow themselves to be stumped by obstacles and more able to see theholistic picture around a problem.


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Selected quotes from course evaluations in 2007:

The YES alumni network has been the foundation of a number of very successful projects andinitiatives. One example of this is the not for profit organisation myclimate (seewww.myclimate.org) started by a group of YES Alumni students based at the ETH Zurich in 2002.Focusing on CO2 compensation for air travel in the voluntary market, the group has now becomean industry leader. They have now expanded their operations into climate neutral companies,events and products, including the 2006 FIFA world cup and the World Economic Forum in Davos.

A further example of the capabilities of the Alumni network is the annual invitation of selectedgroups of YES Alumni to contribute to the Academia Engelberg conferences held in Engelberg

Switzerland. Each year a group gives a series of presentations to the conference plenary and hostsa series of workshops for the high level conference participants from industry, academia andgovernment from all over Europe. The students also prepare and submit project proposals that arethen implemented by a team of Alumni students from around the world. A very successfulexample of such a project is the Latin American Forest Policies and Climate Change project thatcommenced in 2005 and is currently coming to a conclusion. The project has been enormouslysuccessful in addressing its goal of influencing government policies to address climate changemitigation and adaptation in relation to forests in the Latin America region. Teams of YES Alumniacross the region undertook extensive background research in order to prepare policy papers to be

Most lectures were extremely well delivered and with a high academic content. Anexcellent working environment and facilitation with the whole course very wellorganised. Overall it was the best program I have ever participated in. YES Japan Participant

For me YES was not only a unique, deeply emotional course with highly relevantinterdisciplinary issues, but an intense cultural experience.YES Japan Participant

In my personal and cultural aspects it really influenced my motivation to act. I feelI am completely a different person as compared to when I arrived for the course.

YES Braunwald July Participant

Living and working together with colleagues from all over the world was a unique,enriching and eye opening experienceYES Braunwald August Participant

The artistic and creative activities were the most interesting approaches tosustainability education that I have seen. This aspect of the course was unique andvery valuable.YES A rica Partici ant


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endorsed by policy makers in the region. The paper of the Mexican group has alredy been endorsedby the deputies chamber of the Mexican senate, and the Colombian team is working closely withthe Colombian ministry of environment to integrate the policy recommendations in to the countrywide development plan.

Numerous other examples of YES Alumni returning home and implementing their own initiatives

exist. These activities are, in many cases, supported by ETHsustainability or by other YES Alumnithemselves, exchanging information and experiences within the network. In order to furtherfacilitate this exchange, ETHsustainability launched a customised online social networkingplatform at the end of 2007 with the aim of leveraging the potential of the strong and continuallyexpanding global network of YES Alumni (see www.yesalumni.ethz.ch). This allows the alumni toeasily stay in contact and reach alumni in specific regions or with specific academic and workexperience.


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5 Highlights from YES Courses around the WorldThe five courses held in 2007 educated a total of 174 students from 63 different countries(represented in Figure 4.0 below).

Figure 4.0: Countries represented (red) in 2007 YES courses

Each of the courses brought together around 35 participants, coming from, on average, 20different academic disciplines. Each of the courses followed the same general content frameworkdeveloped for the YES programs, however was uniquely tailored to meet the context of the hostcountry and the regional priorities faced there. Each of the 5 courses are briefly described below,with a list of the unique aspects of each course.

YES Japan

Location:Hosei University TAMA Campus& Mount Fuji Seminar Center

Partner:Hosei University

Dates:26th March 8th April, 2007

Participants:35 Participants representing 26 different countries: Argentina, Azerbaijan, China, Estonia, GreatBritan, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Romania, Russia, SlovakRepublic, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam


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Program Highlights:

Visit to Yamatake research lab Cultural visits to temples and shrines in Kamkura and Oshima Island and local history tour Case studies on Sustainability and the Automobile Industry with Professory Amman and

Kahn, IMD Lausanne and University of St. Gallen, Workshop on Urban Sustainability with Dr. Marco Keiner, Head of Urban Environment,

UN-Habitat, Nairobi, Nature Conservation Field Trip at the Mt Fuji Biodiversity Center with Representative from

Japanese Ministry of Environment, Tokyo Urban Sustainability Tour.

YES Braunwald (July and August)

Location:

Alpenblick Hotel, Braunwald, Switzerland

Partners:AGS Partner Institutions (ETH, MIT, UT, Chalmers)

Dates:Course 1: 7th-23rd July, 2007Course 2: 4th-20th August, 2007

Participants:Course 1 (July) - 35 participants representing 25 different countries: Australia, Argentina, Azerbaijan,Brazil, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, China, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan,Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, Spain, Switzerland, USA, Uzbekistan

Course 2 (August) - 36 participants representing 24 different countries: Australia, Austria, Brazil,Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, England, Fiji Islands, India, Japan, Kenya, Mongolia, Nigeria, Peru,Singapore, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, USA,Uzbekistan

Program Highlights:

Field trip to alpine farming region, history and viewing of farm cheese production,presentation on organic and local agriculture in Switzerland Visit to mineral Elmer water bottler in context of Water and Privatization module,

presentation from company regarding sustainability policies Waste water treatment plant visit Hiking and climbing in the Swiss Alps Guest presentation and film viewing with Oil Peak film producer Ray McCormack Bicycle tour through Linthal valley including visit to historical industries and museum,

reception at parliament house and overview of direct democracy concept


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Guest presentations from student organizations included successful YES alumniorganization Myclimate

Presentation from Martin Graf, Town Mayor of Effretikon and Swiss Green Party candidate Philip Morris company representative discussing and debating company sustainability

policies Guest presentation from Prabhu Guptara, director of Wolfsberg think-tank Professor Jurg Minsch presenting on alternative economic models Phsycologist Ursula Hauser conducting pshyco-drama and team building activities with the

participant group Political scientist Professor Joanne Kaufmann, MIT, discussing political systems,

international governance and sustainable development

YES Central and Eastern Europe (Slovakia)

Location:

Bratislava, Slovakia

Partners:Comenius University, Management Faculty, SlovakiaInstitute for Social Research Lithuania

Main Sponsor:Velux Foundation

Dates:24th August - 10th September, 2007

Participants:35 Participants representing 27 different nationalities: Armenia, Argentina, Canada, Colombia,Ecuador, Egypt, Hungary, India, Japan, Kenya, Kyrgystan, Latvia, Macedonia, Mexico, Montenegro,Netherlands, Spain, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, USA,Uzbekistan

Program Highlights:

Industry visit to French company GEFCO, and subsequent completion of student projectsand presentation to company. Focus was on how to implement a corporate sustainabilitystrategy including a set of concrete recommendations on how the company could improve

its environmental performance related to its logistics and other operational aspects of itsmanagement.

Visit to OSRAM Slovakia and the discussions with the Director, Mr. Johann Mllauerregarding environmental, energy consumption, social, and economic aspects of productionand global distribution of light bulbs.

Visit to Danube hydroelectric dam with presentations on flood management, sustainableenergy supplies and water issues


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YES Africa (Kenya)

Location:Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya

Partner:UNEP and Egerton University

Dates:9th 26th November, 2007

Participants:34 Students representing 23 different countries: Brazil,Cameroon, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Japan,Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Rwanda,South Africa, Sudan, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo,USA

Program Highlights:

Dialogue session with UNEP Executive Director Mr.Achim Steiner and meeting with senior officials of UNEPand the United Nations Human Settlements Programme(UN-HABITAT) at the United Nations Offices in Nairobi(UNON).

Day-long educational trip to the River Njoro Watershedand the world famous Lake Nakuru National Park (LNNP)

in Kenyas Rift Valley facilitated by Faculty ofEnvironment & Resources Development (FERD) atEgerton University and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)covering the topics of water resources, agriculture,biodiversity, wildlife and an overview of land usepressures, socio-economic activities and environmentalchallenges within the River Njoro watershed.

Visit to local dairy industry, discussion regardingprocessing, packaging and eco-design

Visit to local student led development initiatives


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6 AppendicesAppendix 1: Methodological Approach of YESAppendix 2: Sample Day-to-Day Program, YES Braunwald (August) 2007Appendix 3: List of Faculty (all 5 courses)


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Appendix 1: Methodological approach of YES

The overarching goal of the YES course is to think, propose and work out practical solutions toguide human living on earth towards a sustainable future. The following figure illustrates thebasic approach to addressing sustainability issues in YES.

SustainabilityConcept

Ecological dimensions (examples) Psychological, social, ethical dimensions

Available resources Social systems (society, politics,religion, economy, etc.)

Natural systems (lifecycles, atom-sphere, water balance, land use, etc.)

Psychological systems (selfdevelop-ment, behavior, learning processes,perception, language, spirituality, etc.)

Processes with own dynamism(evolution, metabolism, etc.)

Existential basic framework Growth dynamics of living systems Cultural and historical processes and

ethical values

Natural environment (.examples) Individual and Social Environment

Preservation of self-dynamic potentialfor development

Existential primary health care for allhumans (food, medicine, etc.)

Renewable resources Peaceful societies, political stability Reduction of material flow Preservation of cultural diversity Biodiversity conservation Non-growth oriented society Sustaining basic living requirements Self-realization, security

Via technology (examples..) Via individual and social changes

Optimization of technological process Individual behavioral change Non-toxic materials Learning processes, influence,

manipulation Energy-saving New goals and reason for living Reduced material use Political instruments Methods obtained from the natural

sciences Methods obtained from the social

sciences

I: Basic understanding

III: Solutions

II: Goals

Basic understanding Goals Solutions

Sustainable Development anecological-social concept

Interdependencies


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Appendix 2: Sample day-to-day program for August 2007 session

Friday3 August

Saturday4 August

Sunday5 August

Monday6 August

Tuesday7 August

Wednesday8 August

Thursday9 August

Latest arrivalof

participants

Module 1Introduction

to thecourse,Framework,get to knoweach other,sustain-abilityconcept

Module 2Natural &

HumansystemsIntroduction,basicknowledge,Developmentperspectives

Module 2Human

systems Political andEconomic

Module 2Human

systems Module 3.1Energy &MaterialsOverview,EnergycalculatorMy climate Speaker

Module 3.1Energy&

MaterialsSustainableEnergyFuture,energy calc.,Cross-cuttingsocialaspects

Module 3.1Energy&

MaterialsFull dayexcursionwith variousfield visits, tolocalparliamentandcompanies.

Type LecturesWork groups

LecturesExercises

LecturesWork groups

LecturesWork groups

Lectures enroute

Excursions /Activities

Village walk Film evening Excursion tothe Alps

SustainabilityCaf 1

Bike tour inthe valley

Friday10 August

Saturday11 August

Sunday12 August

Monday13 August

Tuesday14 August

Wednesday15 August

Group workday -Studentprojects

FREE DAYRock clim-bing, hiking,biking, andotheractivitiesavailable

Module 3.2Nutritionand Health Waterresources,globaloverview, pri-vatization.

Module 3.3Living SpaceUrbanizationLand uses.Sim. gameFish Banks

Module 3.3Living spacePoverty,MDGs,Mobility

Module 3.2Nutritionand HealthWorld foodoverview,agriculture indifferentcountries,Local A21

Type Group work Lectures,

Discussions,Postersession

Lectures

exercises

Lectures

discussions

ExcursionSpecials

Morning: Artactivity withK. Elle

Film Evening:Oil Peak,with guest.

Culturalshowcaseevening

Collageactivity withKlaus Elle

Thursday16 August

Friday17 August

Saturday18 August

Sunday19 August

Module 3.2Health andNutritionExcursion to

Geberit, Bio-farm andwaste watertreat. plant

Module 4Psycho-socialNeedsConsumpn.

patterns,potentials forchange/Work Groups

Group workday -StudentProjects

Group work,presentationandConclusions/

Coursewrap-up

Type Lectures/Work groups

Workshop/psychodrama

Group work

ExcursionSpecials

SustainabilityCaf 2

Project 21and WSC-SDguests

Farewelldinner andparty

Monday20 August

DepartureTransfers to Zurich


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Appendix 3: Faculty, Facilitators and Guests, 2007

Name Family Name Country Role and Official Affiliation /

Courses ParticipationDr. Akpezi Ogbuigwe Nigeria Guest, Head Environmental Education andTraining, UNEP Nairobi /YES Africa

Dr. Achim Steiner Germany Guest Speaker, Director UNEP /YES Africa

Dr. Adriana Diaz Venezuela Facilitator, Course Organiser,ETHsustainability /YES Braunwald

Dr. Andjelka Mihajlov Serbia Lecturer, Waste Management, FormerMinister for Environment /YES Slovakia

Atsushi Inaba Japan Lecturer, Sustainable Consumption, Universityof Tokyo /YES Japan

Prof. Claude Friedli Switzerland Course leader, Professor of Chemistry, EPFLLausanne /YES Braunwald

Prof. Claude Siegenthaler Switzerland Lecturer, Economics, CSR, Hosei UniversityTokyo /YES Japan, YES Braunwald

Dr. Doulaye Kone Switzerland Lecturer, Water, SANDEC, ETH Zurich /YES Braunwald, YES Africa

Fabio Segura Colombia Facilitator, ETHsustainability Zurich, YES

Alumni 2004 /YES Japan, YES Braunwald, YES Slovakia,YES Africa

Dr. Francis Wegulo Kenya Lecturer, Agriculture in Developing Countries,Egerton University /YES Africa

Hans Kaspar Schiesser Switzerland Political Scientist (VV)YES Braunwald, YES Slovakia

Helena Malisova Slovakia Course organizer Slovakia, facilitator, ETHZurich, YES alumni 2003 /YES Slovakia

Prof. Hiroki Hondo Japan Lecturer, Energy, Yokohama University /

YES JapanJanine Baud Switzerland Facilitator, College of Education, Zurich /

YES BraunwaldProf. Jeffrey Steinfeld USA Lecturer, Energy & Materials, MIT /

YES BraunwaldJim Kairu Kenya Lecturer, Biodiversity, Wildlife Managemetn

and Toursim, Moi University /YES Africa


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Dr. Joanne Kauffman USA Lecturer, Policy Making, MIT LFEE Boston /YES Slovakia

Joseph Edebe Kenya Lecturer and Guide, Lake Nakuru Park Tour,Kenya Wildlife Service /YES Africa

Dr. Justus Nyangaya Kenya Lecturer, Political Systems and Leadership in

Africa, LEAD Africa /YES Africa

Kizito Masinde Kenya Facilitator, Tropical Biology Association Kenya,YES Alumni 2004 /YES Africa

Klaus Elle Germany Interpretative artist /YES Japan, YES Braunwald, YES Slovakia, YESAfrica

Prof. Ludwig Ellenberg Germany Lecturer, Living Space, Humbolt University,Berlin /YES Africa

Dr. Marco Keiner Switzerland Chief, Urban Environment, UN Habitat /YES Japan, YES Africa

Martin Graf Switzerland Guest Speaker, Mayor of Illnau-Effretikon /YES Braunwald

Martin Ott Switzerland Guest Speaker, Largest Organic Farmer inSwitzerland /YES Braunwald

Matthew Gardner USA Lecturer, Energy and Climate, MIT Terrascope /YES Braunwald, YES Slovakia, YES Africa

Michelle Grant Australia Course organizer, facilitator, ETH Zurich,YES alumni 2002 /YES Braunwald, YES Africa

Prof. Morio Kuninori Japan Lecturer, Energy, Hosei University Tokyo /YES Japan

Prof. Patricia Holmes Germany Lecturer, Water, Head Masters Program in SDUniversity of Basel /YES Braunwald, YES Slovakia

Dr. Paul Gamba Kenya Lecturer, Economics, Egerton University /YES Africa

Prof. Peter Edwards UK /Switzerland

Lecturer, Biodiversity, ETH Zurich /YES Japan, YES Slovakia

Dr. Peter Lumumba Kenya Lecturer, Constitutionalism and Governance inAfrica, University of Nairobi /YES Africa

Philip Osano Kenya /Canada Facilitator, PhD Candidate McGill University,YES Alumni 2003/YES Braunwald, YES Africa

Dr. Prabhu Guptara India /Switzerland

Guest Speaker, Wolfsberg /YES Braunwald

Ray McCormack UK Guest speaker, Independent Film Producer:The Oil Peak /YES Braunwald, YES Slovakia


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Rodrigo Santos Brazil Guest Presentation, Biodiversity, UEA, UK /YES Braunwald

Prof. Roland Schertenleib Switzerland Lecturer, Water and Sanitation in DevelopingCountries, EAWAG, ETH /YES Braunwald

Robert Ouma Kenya Guest speaker, Rural Development,

International Livestock Research Institute /YES Africa

Dr. Roger Baud Switzerland Course organizer, Lecturer, Social Pshycology,ETH Zurich

Prof. Sarah Cordero Costa Rica Lecturer, Human Systems, INCAE, Costa Rica

Prof. Shiban Kahn Switzerland Lecturer, Economics and Management, IMDLausanne & University of St. Gallen/YES Japan

Tadas Leoncikas Lithuania Lecturer, Ethics, Center of Ethic Studies of theISR /YES Slovakia

Prof. Thomas Bernauer Switzerland Lecturer, Political Science, CCIS, ETH ZurichDr. Ursula Hauser Switzerland

/ Costa RicaSocial Psychologist, Group Building /YES Braunwald

Dr. Wanyama Wafula Kenya Guest Speaker, Motivational Skills, EgertonUniversity /YES Africa

Dr. Wilkister Moturi Kenya Lecuturer, Health and Environment, EgertonUniversity /YES Africa

Prof. William Shivoga Kenya Lecturer, Environment and Development,Egerton University /YES Africa

Prof. Wolfgang Amman Switzerland Lecturer, Economics and Management, IMDLausanne /YES Japan

Prof. Wolfgang Wimmer Austria Lecturer, Energy & Materials, TU Vienna

Prof. Yamaji Eiji Japan Lecturer, Sust. Agriculture, UT /YES Braunwald


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For more information, please contact:

ETHsustainability

Center for Sustainability at the

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich)

Bolleystrasse 9, CH-8006 Zurich, Switzerland

Tel: +41-44 632-4256, Fax:+41-44-632-1597

E-mail:[email protected]

Internet: www.sustainability.ethz.ch

yes07 report final 001

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