In many countries, Industrial production and consumption patterns outpace the renewal capacity of natural resources and the capacity of governments to manage waste products. These trends in resource use and energy consumption indicate that current forms of industrial production damage the health of natural resources, and risk undermining the social and economic development benefits achieved thus far. This calls for shifting to green and more sustainable approaches needed to satisfy the needs of the present- without compromising the needs of future generations. The greening industry and production process presents one central element to shift to green economies and achieve sustainable development. It unleashes dynamic and competitive economic forces that generate employment and income, facilitate international trade, and enable efficient use of resources.
The impacts and economic consequences of COVID-19 are adding to existing complexities and are creating economic hardship worldwide. Economies have been hard hit by the crisis due to the direct disruptions in supply chains and drops in aggregate demand, resulting in much larger societal costs. What policy measures can countries deploy in the short and long run in response to this crisis? How can governments respond to COVID-19 in a way that supports industry and workers immediately, but also creates beneficial outcomes in the long-term?
These and more questions will be tackled in an advanced online training course, offered by Central European University and Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) in July this year.
The course will focus on discussing approaches and tools that allow for an integrated response to the crisis in line with sustainable industrial development. Therefore, it aims to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills on green industry, and green industrial policy as a way to promote inclusive green economy transition in the context of the post-COVID recovery.
Course objectives
The objective of this course is to build national capacities, and raise awareness about the importance and feasibility of the Green Industry approaches, Green Industrial Policy, and Green recovery mechanism in the context of the post-COVID-19 crisis and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. More specifically, the course aims to:
- Provide participants with an understanding of Green Industrial Policy as a tool for accelerating a green structural economic transformation – and its potential role as a tool for the economic policy response to COVID-19.
- Identify priority actions and strategies to promote green industry and sustainable industrial development, including cleaner and resource-efficient production, circular economy and Industry 4.0
- Discuss how industries, including SMEs, can successfully overcome key challenges that prevent them from adopting green industry-related products and services. How can green financing accelerate greening SMEs and contribute to economic recovery?
- Gain an understanding of the interlinkages between green industry, trade, and global supply chains.
- Discuss how post-COVID recovery measures can support incomes and jobs while moving toward the vision of green industrialization, green jobs, and just transition.
Course design
This course will be delivered in two parts:
Part 1 - Self-paced Online Course on Green Industrial Policy: Sustainable Economic Transformation and Competitiveness: Registered participants will complete the online self-paced certificate course on Green Industrial Policy, which will be open for registration of participants from June 11, 2020. This course has five modules comprised of video lectures, reading material, and quizzes to complete in order to obtain the certificate. This exercise helps to ensure that participants of the Part 2 training are acquainted with the subject matter and have a common understanding of the terminology and concepts of the Green Industry. In addition, participants are required to submit an essay titled: “How can Green Industrialization help in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals? Elaborate your discussion in the context of a developing economy”, along with the formal application to the summer course.
The part 1 component will be open to 100 participants. Based on the successful attainment of the online certificate, the quality of the essays, and proficiency in written and spoken English, about 25 applicants will be selected for Part 2 of the course.
Part 2 - Advanced Instructor-led Online Course on Green Industry: The four-day virtual instructor-led in-depth training will be organized using a dynamic mix of lecture-based and participatory methods customized to meet the needs of the countries’ desire to move toward an inclusive green economy transition. The delivery of the program will be based upon the latest knowledge products; capacity building materials developed by PAGE partners, and place a strong emphasis on group work and use of country-case studies. The program also features a shared virtual workspace for participants to work in a group and access necessary course materials.
The main academic elements will include lectures by course faculty, reading of assigned texts, seminar-style discussion of key topics, assigned readings, and case studies from developed, transitional, and developing countries. The teaching method will also include short quizzes, debates, role-play, small group work focused on developing assignments, group presentations, discussion, and evaluation.
What topics will this course cover?
This course improves delivery, action, and knowledge-sharing across countries on:
- Green Industrial Development (RECP, Circular Economy, Industry 4.0, Industrial Parks)
- Government response to COVID-19 in the context of the manufacturing industry
- Green jobs and just transitions, Global value chain and Green trade
- Finance and investment for green industrial development
Deadline for application: June 22, 2020
Self-paced online course completion: June 11-30, 2020
Announcement of selection of participants for the advanced instructor-led online course: July 10, 2020
Advanced instructor-led online course: July 27-30, 2020
Completed CEU Summer University Application Form
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Notes:
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Inquiries
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Notification
The SUN Office will notify applicants about the selection results in April. Please check the 'Dates and deadlines' section on the relevant course websites for notification deadlines planned earlier or later. The final decision is not open to appeal.