The Human Dimension of Sustainable Development: From Ideal to Reality - Period 5

This course revolves around the human dimension of sustainable development from an interdisciplinary perspective in order to highlight power configurations and different actors? responsibilities and accountability. Building on the framework of the Millennium Development Goals (2000-2015), the SDGs were decided upon by the UN in 2015 to identify universal goals that address the economic, political, social, cultural and environmental challenges facing our world. We will address three levels of action: top-down (governance), meso-level (organization) and bottom-up (grassroots) that create and implement sustainable development. The aim of this course is to help students understand the interface between the development priorities of national governments and international organizations, as well as bottom-up development initiatives of local communities, NGO's and private sector actors. Individuals, communities, governments and businesses approach sustainable development with different interests and expectations. Students will learn about these perspectives and analyse how and when they diverge and converge. Students will demonstrate their theoretical insights in a written exam and will apply several disciplinary perspectives in an interdisciplinary group assignment.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) awards credits based on the ECTS system. Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course therefore, CEA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by VU Amsterdam. 1 ECTS equals 28 contact hours assigned by VU Amsterdam.