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The world is following a new environmental trajectory and an increasing number of stakeholders are alarmed by the prospect of complex unprecedented ecological, socioeconomic, political and demographic challenges.

Besides profound changes in geo-political maps, the world is facing a new generation of global environmental, socio-economic, political and demographic challenges, for which institutions are often under-equipped. This new generation of global challenges have, at their heart, a set of complex  linkages between institutions, markets, nature and citizenship. These linkages often difficult to navigate, but their understanding is  essential to ensure  sustainability transitions.

Geneva is one of the planetary centers of the elaboration and negotiation of sustainability policy frameworks, as well as one of the core sites of scientific innovation and a thriving world economic hub. It offers therefore a formidable pool of knowledge to help public and private entities to address these challenges.  

To address this need, the University of Geneva developed GEPP, a transdisciplinary program aimed to improve decision making, governance and forecasting for sustainability transition. The Program has partnered with major stakeholders, including the United Nations Environment ProgrammeHarvard University's ZOFNASS Program for Sustainable Infrastructure and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, to organize knowledge-sharing occasions.

GEPP operates on a global scale, combining rigorous, engaging and cutting-edge training programs, tailored to the needs of public and private entities, with a rich dissemination activity (open conferences, workshops, talks and dialogues) to nurture the emergence of true sustainability leaders. Knowledge-sharing and high-level professional networking represent the two pillars of the program

GEPP is a unique learning initiative bridging the worlds of quality research, multilateral governance and value creation. 

 

Contact GEPP to schedule a consultation.

gepp(at)unige.ch

GEPP Director Dr. Alexandre Hedjazi  
Telephone: +41 22 379 0828 

 

Mills2

 

PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS 2022/2023

Advancements in urban sustainability management: Meaning, Measuring, Monitoring & Mobilization 

Geneva, June 23-25, 2022

 

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Sustainable development and growth of cities and regions post COVID-19 requires improving urban resilience, reinforcing an evidence-based approach to planning for development and an active participation of local and regional governments, businesses, NGOs and local communities in these processes. It demands the development and implementation of innovative approaches to urban sustainability management across sectors: urban planning, transport and mobility, energy, water, buildings, education and healthcare and others. 
 
Experts at University of Geneva, along those from Geneva-based International Organizations,  are uniquely positioned to respond to this demand. They work at the interface between the elaboration of global sustainability frameworks and practice-informed knowledge production and dissemination. Geneva knowledge-base connects deep understanding of good practices in urban sustainability management with cutting-edge innovations regarding measuring and monitoring urban SDGs; urban data production and management; citizen engagement; and public/private partnership building. Those are the pillars upon which effective change in cities must hinge.

The 3-Days Continuing Education Training Programme Advancements in Urban Sustainability Management, which took place on June 23-25 in Geneva, has been oriented at the professionals working on urban development who aspire to gain practical knowledge and skills in urban sustainability management, especially public administrators and business managers.  It was organized in collaboration with ASI, the Salvadorean Association for Entrepreneurs and gathered participants from Europe and Central America. 

This Executive Training aimed at strengthening the capacities of professionals working on urban development to formulate, manage and deliver urban initiatives that reinforce sustainable urban development, urban resilience and support post-COVID recovery.  

The program was organized around three themes: “Meaning”, “Measuring and monitoring”, and “Mobilization.” Discussion focused n developing a strategic vision and a plan; a monitoring framework to track progress towards project objectives to date; and mobilization of resources to ensure successful implementation, including development of Public-Private Partnerships and communication with local communities. 

 

A graduation ceremony for Central American participants was organized in El Salvador at the presence of government officials and representatives of the business community. See news coverage.

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Agenda 

 

23 June 2022: Meaning

09:00 - 10:00

Welcome coffee and meet the tutors

10:00 - 12:00

Session 1. Introduction: Connecting sustainability, urban resilience and post-COVID recovery (All Instructors)

12:00 - 13:00

Lunch break

13:00 - 14:30

Session 2. SDGs, urban planning and management : Resilience led Nature Based Solutions in Cities (Dr. Alexandre Hedjazi) 

14:30 - 16:00

Workshop 1. Experimenting Urban Watershed Revitalization  

16:00 - 18:00

Field study : City of Geneva - Plage des Eaux-Vives

19:00 - 21:00

Networking Dinner – Conversations on Foresigth with Stephan Mergenthaler ( WEF - World Economic Forum)

24 June 2022: Measuring and Monitoring

10:00 - 12:00   

Session 3. Assessing progress towards SDGs: practical approaches (Dr. Agata Krause)

12:00 - 13:00

Lunch break

13:00 - 14:30

Session 4. Tools for measuring and monitoring of urban sustainability across sectors (Dr. Sherif Kinawy)

14:30 - 16:00

Workshop 2. Developing a Voluntary Local Review 

19:00 - 21:00

Networking Dinner 

25 June 2022: Mobilization

09:00 - 11:00

Session 5. Best practices in sustainability-led citizen engagement (Dr .Matteo Tarantino)

11:00 - 12:30

Session 6. Developing Public-Private Partnerships in practice (Dr. Sherif Kinawy)

12:30 - 13:30

Lunch break

13:30 - 15:00

Workshop 3. Making the right Choices in designing Engagement Processes 

15:00 - 16:00

Closing Ceremony.

 

 

 

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