Environmental Justice Organisations, Liabilities and Trade

EJOLT is running an online course “Ecological Economics and Environmental Justice”, taught through civil society organisation (CSO) case studies across a broad range of topics with a particular focus on the theme of environmental justice. It will run from mid/late January to mid/late May (tbc).

This interactive online course takes place over sixteen weeks. It has been designed for activists interested in understanding and applying the tools of ecological economics and political ecology to their work, and for researchers of the sustainability sciences interested in the real world application of the concepts and methods of ecological economics and political ecology in the field of environmental justice. Trainees should expect to spend from 12-15 hours per week on each module.

A fee to cover running costs will be charged. This will amount to approximately 160€, The core text that will be used is Ecological Economics from the Ground Up, due to be published in December by Routledge.

Structure:

Each module is tutored by a leading researcher or practitioner of ecological economics. It consists of a recorded lecture, an assigned case study reading, and additional reading materials. A key feature is the online discussion forum – a virtual classroom where trainees interact with each other and their tutors. Each module ends with the trainee’s submission of a short assignment assessed by the module tutor. The course also introduces trainees to the use and development of an interactive map of environmental (in)justices and related materials, on a particular issue they are especially familiar with.

At the end of the course there is a final ‘examination’ and a course evaluation form to be submitted. Students who successfully pass the required tasks receive an electronic certificate.

All course elements can be accessed whenever it is convenient for the trainees – within the time period (one week) dedicated for the specific modules. Modules change every week. However, as the lectures cannot be downloaded and have to be watched online, a strong, reliable internet connection is a must.

Module Topics for 2013 (also tbc)

All trainees take part in the introduction module (1) and the final (exam) module (16), and select 8 other modules (once accepted on the course) from Modules 2-15, described below:

(for more information on some of the modules, you can read some of the case studies here: http://www.ceecec.net/case-studies/)

1.     Introduction (compulsory): Ecological Economics, Political Ecology and Environmental Justice Organisations

Social Metabolism (choose any 8 from Modules 2-15)                 

2.     Aid, Social Metabolism and Social Conflict in the Nicobar Islands

3.     Distributive Conflicts on Commodity Frontiers – Manta-Manaus and Cordillera del Condor

4.     The TAV (High Speed Train) in Italy

5.     Let Them Eat Sugar: Life and Livelihood in Kenya’s Tana Delta

Participation and Institutions                                   

6.     Governance and Environment Investments in Hiware Bazar, India

7.     Industrial Tree Plantations in The Global South: Conflicts, Trends and Resistance Struggles

8.     Forestry and Communities in Cameroon

9.     The Waste Crisis in Campania

10.   EJOs and Legal Avenues for Claiming Environmental Liability

Valuation and other policy tools                 

11.  Local Communities and Management of Protected Areas in Serbia

12.  PES in India 

13.  Environmental Justice and Ecological Debt in Belgium: The UMICORE case

14.  “Rip-off(sets): The False Solutions of Green Capitalism” – A Critique of Climate Change Adaptation/Mitigation Measures

15.  The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity – Recent Debates

16.  Course evaluation (compulsory)

Requirements: Regular access to a reliable high speed internet connection is necessary for taking part. Also payment of course fee (around €160). English proficiency is also required as lectures and all materials are in English. However assignments may be submitted in Spanish, Portuguese or French.

Deadline for Application: December 15th , 2012

How to Apply: Send a one-page letter of intent, outlining your relevant experience and interests, and why you wish to take the course, and email it to hhealyatceecec(at)gmail.com

Testimonials:

“Brilliant course for people working in NGOs wishing to understand the basic concepts of ecological economics. The methods and tool introduced through case studies, accompanied by interactive discussions and lectures, illustrated the possible dimensions of their use well. ”

“With its interactive approach, this course has helped me to understand better ecological economics methods and the concept of sustainable development.  I would recommend this course to all those who are working in NGOs or simply interested in enriching their knowledge of issues related to sustainable environmental management.”

“I am currently doing a master’s degree in environmental sciences, and I felt the need to complete the curricula with ecological economics topics. This course provided a great opportunity to better understand participatory processes like multi-criteria assessment, and concepts of environmental justice, which I feel are key to finding better solutions to the crises we are facing today. “

 “This course is useful for CSOs/EJOs looking for new approaches and arguments in environmental campaigns, especially ones based on social science and valuation in money terms. Also, the course was a good source of examples and ideas for innovative (and traditional) social arrangements and institutions.”

“My work focuses on participatory development for poverty alleviation through local economic development. The concepts of sustainability from the perspectives of ecological economics are vital to achieving increased quality of life and prosperity for rural communities.”