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Objectives
This
online-training course is intended to provide deeper knowledge of
energy’s relationship to sustainable development and how delivery of
clean, affordable energy services, wise management of energy resources,
and the leveraging of technological and institutional energy related
opportunities can serve as instruments to reach that goal. Participants
will learn of sustainable energy options, available modes of
implementation, local resources required, and the policy and
institutional conditions required to operationalise such options.
Why an
online energy course?
Energy
is related to the multidimensional aspects of sustainable development:
the social, economic and environmental perspectives. Access to modern
energy services is
a prerequisite for meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As
a result, development specialists need a comprehensive understanding of
the energy/development nexus - not only how energy systems work but
also the impact of energy services on other development issues such as
income, health and environment.
At the present
time, courses tailored
to the demands of those who are working on energy issues as a means for
development do not exist. Too often, existing courses deal only with
technical aspects of energy issues and do not adequately examine their
broader implications for sustainable development. Further, there is an
increasing need to reach out to a wider range of development actors,
especially in developing countries. This need is largely unmet. This
course is intended to address the gaps outlined. It will provide a
comprehensive coverage on the issues of how energy affects sustainable
development. The online format of the course is intended to offer
flexibility and reach to those who would have not otherwise been able
to
take advantage of existing courses.
Target
audience
The
target audience encompasses development specialists from government,
NGOs, multilateral and bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA)
organisations, as well as actors involved in the private sector who are
engaged in energy and
development activities in developing countries. Participants will
typically come from a range of educational and professional backgrounds
and will have some years of practical experience. The target audience
is broader than merely energy-field experts. It also includes
development professionals who may have some insight of energy-related
issues but desire a more comprehensive understanding of energy’s role
within sustainable development.
Outcomes
The
key outcome from this course will be improved understanding of the
relationship between energy systems and sustainable development. Upon
completion, participants will have significant capacity to
conceptualize energy activities – and their link to development issues
on the ground. Such skills will allow them to better overcome
development challenges encountered in their daily work, and will help
build consensus on how energy can be used effectively as a tool for
sustainable development. The course will help participants promote
energy efficiency and renewables, encourage technologies that offer
alternatives for clean and safe energy supply and use, and help
find ways for developing countries to avoid the wasteful and
destructive
stages that have characterised industrialisation in the past. In
addition, a formal European university level certification will be
granted for requisite European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits.
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