For the thought leaders, decision-makers and innovators of the future…
Asia Pacific Advanced Seminar Series 2008
Introduction
The international community is trying to cope with rising oil prices, a global food crisis and unprecedented climate change. The implications for the Asia Pacific region are immense and daunting. This region is home to 65% of the world’s population and has two of the largest oceans on Earth. As major climate and other natural disasters impact across the region, most recently in Myanmar, we all understand that environmental issues, such as global warming, know no national border. Natural disasters are on the increase the region, and the humanitarian costs are growing each year.
In this context, the United Nations University, FASID (Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development), Keio University, the University of Hawaii and a network of academic partner universities in the Asia Pacific region are offering two advanced seminar courses beginning in September 2008. The courses are:
- Climate, Energy and Food Security in Asia and the Pacific
- Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance
The advanced seminar series was initiated in October 2003 through a collaboration between UNU, Keio University and FASID, The series has grown to include 14 partners offering real-time classes via video conference covering 9 time zones and two hemispheres from Honolulu to New Delhi. Over three hundred and fifty students have successfully completed the programme since 2003.
Why participate in this seminar series?
These seminar courses are designed for the thought leaders, decision-makers and innovators of the future. We recognize that in order to make sound decisions, you need the right information at your finger-tips. With a realistic assessment of the problems we all face, you will make decisions to re-design our transportation systems, to better plan our cities, to reform our energy systems and to re-shape our agricultural industries.
The courses are multi-disciplinary in nature and will appeal to students from the sciences and humanities. They are designed to inform experienced policy-makers and practitioners, and to enlighten graduate students, keen to learn more about how the world works and how we can make it a better place.
Student taking this course should be action oriented, critical-thinkers, with the ability to analyze problems and propose solutions. You are expected to participate in class discussions and to make presentations.
The Advantages
- If enrolled at partner universities you will receive credits.
- You will receive a certificate of completion.
- You will have the opportunity to interact with some of the leading experts from the Asia Pacific Region and with an international community of students from diverse backgrounds.
Eligibility
All courses are given in English. Eligible candidates are enrolled with the following collaborating institutions: Asian Institute of Technology, Aoyama Gakuin University, Keio University, Waseda University, Okayama University, University of the Ryukyus, United Nations University, , University of Hawaii, National University of Samoa, University of the South Pacific, The Energy Research Institute University and University of Gadja Mada. FASID, UNU and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies will also recruit young professionals based in Tokyo, Japan.
Course Details:
Two courses will be offered in 2008:
| Course 1 | Climate, Energy and Food Security in Asia Pacific |
| Commences: | 25 September 2008 (Hawaii, Samoa) 26 September 2008 (Fiji, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, India) |
| Duration: | 15 classes (from September 2008 to January 2009) Each class is one and half-hours. One hour of lectures, 30 min Q&A |
| Course 2 | Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance |
| Commences: | 24 September 2008 (Hawaii, Samoa) 25 September 2008 (Fiji, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, India) |
| Duration: | 12 classes (from September 2008 to December 2008) Each class is one and half-hours. One hour of lectures, 30 min Q&A |
| Delivery: | Live video-conference (bridged by the University of Hawaii), supported by online learning using Moodle. |
Lecturers
In 2007, the courses were supported lecturers from by the UN Centre for Regional Development, the Pacific Disaster Centre, the UN Officer for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Kyoto University, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Worldwide Fund for Nature Japan, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Samoa, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Institute for Sustainable Energy Policy and the Governance Design Laboratory.
Course Requirements
The course requirements vary according to your host university. The courses are integrated into existing educational programmes at your university and normally count toward credits.
The main course requirement is participation in all classes. In addition, in order to successful complete the course each student must make a class presentation individually or as a team.
If you are interested in this programme, please contact onlinelearning@unu.edu.
Related websites for more information
FASID (Japanese only)
2007 Course Materials (Climate Change and Energy)
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Page last modified 2008.10.30.
