International and Humanitarian Affairs

Short course Planetary Health 2024

Planetary health recognises that human health and the health of our planet are interconnected. This course aims to understand how essential it is to integrate a planetary health lens and strategy into humanitarian action.
Online registration

Information

Period

30 September 2024 - 11 October 2024
2 ECTS credits
50 Distance teaching hours
2 weeks

Language

English

Format

Distance learning

Contact

Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies
+41 (0)22 379 56 50
humanitarianstudies(at)unige.ch
website

Location

Online

Registration

Registration deadline

9 September 2024

Fees:

Total fees: CHF 1’700.-
Deposit: (upon acceptance of admission): CHF 400.-

Contribution to the SDGs

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development

Objectives

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of framing humanitarian crises through a planetary lens
  • Recognise the environmental crisis as a catalyst or exacerbator of humanitarian crises and that most vulnerable countries and people are most affected
  • Understand how climate change, pollution of air and water, biodiversity loss, disruption to our food production system, and changing patterns of diseases are affecting human health and healthcare systems
  • Analyse how acute climate-related shocks (e.g. floods, sea level rising) or chronic (e.g. drought and desertification) increase human mobility
  • Learn more about policies addressing the environmental crisis
  • Examine how organisations address environmental degradation through operational adaptation and mitigation practices to limit their ecological footprint
  • Useful tools available to conduct environmental and health assessments

Audience

• Professional in the humanitarian, development or social sector looking to explore options for mitigation and adaptation to systemic disruptions of planetary health

• Professional in the health sector who seeks to develop their understanding of the interconnection between health, climate, environment and humanitarian responses

• Professional from other sectors (policy-making, donor agencies, government officials) who wishes to develop their competencies in the health and humanitarian sectors

Programme

Structure of the course

• Definition and scope of planetary health
• Conflict and the environment
• Conflict-related issues and social/gender inclusion
• Food and water scarcity
• Infectious diseases
• Anticipating extreme weather events to reduce their impact
• Climate change, migration and health nexus
• Air pollution and health systems
• The loss of biodiversity

 

Director(s)

Prof. Karl BLANCHET, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, a joint Centre of the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), Geneva

Coordinator(s)

Prof. Karl BLANCHET, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies

Admission criteria

  • University qualification (bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
  • At least three years of relevant professional experience
  • Excellent command of English
  • Notivation working in the humanitarian sector

Application File

  • Copy of identity document or passport
  • Passport photo (.jpg format)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Cover letter (explaining what is the reason why you apply for this course and how will the acquired skills help you in your career)
  • Copy of the highest educational qualification obtained
  • Copy of work certificate or official document of the current job position
  • Proof of English language level
  • Employer's funding agreement, if applicable
  • Employer's letter of support (recommended)
  • Scholarship application form (if applicable). Please refer to https://humanitarianstudies.ch/scholarships-executive-short-courses/

More information about the application process is available on our application page.

Contribution to the SDGs

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development