EMUNI - OGS Summer School 2018

Summer School

on Blue Growth in the Euro-Mediterranean Region

Online training: 11 - 15 June 2018

Face-to-face: 18 - 27 June 2018

(18 - 22 June at EMUNI, Piran and 25 - 27 at OGS, Trieste)

Timing and location

11-27 June 2018, as follows:

• 11-15 June 2018 (10 hours): distance learning – general introduction to blue growth, introduction of themes and participants, preparatory tasks.
• 18-23 June (36 hours): courses conducted at EMUNI, Piran
• 25-27 June (22 hours): courses conducted at OGS, Trieste

Background to the summer school

Blue economy has been the long-term strategy of the EU, aiming at sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors. It forms part of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. A new agenda for the seas is promoted also by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), a regional international organisation consisting of all 28 countries of the EU and 15 countries from South and Eastern Mediterranean.

A sustainable development driven by blue economy is thus a shared vision for the Euro-Mediterranean area and of concern to both Northern and Southern Mediterranean countries. It is based on the recognition of both the vulnerabilities of the seas and oceans, and their potential for growth. It promotes smart solutions for the marine and maritime challenges within the framework of sustainable development.

The Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) was established as one of six priorities of the UfM in 2008. The issue of blue growth has recently become one of the key areas of its strategic orientation, launched in November 2017 with the organisation of a pilot training course on blue growth for young professionals from the region.

The summer school is supported by OGS within the framework of its Blue Growth Initiative supported by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) as part of the Italian contribution to the Western Mediterranean Forum (Dialogue 5+5) and submitted for labelling to the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).

Objective of the summer school

The objective of the summer school is to introduce the participants (see below the target groups) to the significance of blue growth for the Euro-Mediterranean region and thereby impact their future careers or studies.

Themes and approach

The themes of the sessions are mostly related to the 5 priorities of blue growth as relevant for the entire region, i.e. the EU countries as well as non EU-countries. Themes will include, but are not limited to:

• Blue growth in the EU and the Euro-Mediterranean region
• The political context of blue growth
• Blue growth sectors
• Sustainable tourism paths
• Fisheries and aquaculture
• Marine spatial planning
• Maritime transport
• Ship building and ship recycling
• Blue energy
• Bioprospecting
• Deep sea exploration and mining

In examining the themes, the summer school will highlight the innovation and solution-oriented approach of the blue growth paradigm.

Participants will be asked to participate actively, including by submitting short assignments throughout the summer school.

Format

The summer school is conducted in combination of distance learning (10 hours) as effective preparation for the face to face sessions in Piran and Trieste.

The face to face session will consist of 58 teaching hours, which will include lectures and field trips. The face to face session is divided into the period, which will take place in Piran (18-22 June) and Trieste (25-27 June). Transfer from Piran to Trieste will be organised for participants on 23 June.

Participants

Postgraduate students of any discipline, especially from the Euro-Mediterranean countries and Black sea countries, are invited to apply.

The candidates must fulfil the following conditions:

• Have completed undergraduate programme, obtained at least 180 ECTS (or equivalent)
• Be eligible to study at the postgraduate level or be postgraduate students or researchers
• Have knowledge of English (level B2 or higher)
• Have demonstrated an interest in the region and the theme

No prior knowledge of the Euro-Mediterranean studies is required. Students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds are admitted.