IREn5023 Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Innovation – Practitioner’s Perspective

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2021
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Rastislav Vrbenský, MSc, Ph.D. (lecturer), Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D. (deputy)
Ing. Mgr. Adriana Ilavská, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 26. 10. 10:00–13:40 U23, Wed 27. 10. 8:00–11:40 P22, Tue 9. 11. 16:00–19:40 U43, Wed 10. 11. 8:00–11:40 P22, Tue 7. 12. 16:00–19:40 P22, Wed 8. 12. 16:00–19:40 M117
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 10 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course introduces and analyses the concepts of sustainable development, Agenda 2030 and SDGs along with the approaches and tools for their implementation, monitoring and financing at the global, regional and national levels. Special attention will be given to the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This overall framework will be illustrated by in-depth analyses of development system response to one of SDGs - SDG 13 on Climate Action. The role of innovation and change management has been recognized as one of the key aspects of Agenda 2030/ SDGs successful implementation. The course will therefore explain the role of innovation in development and public policy and programming. This will include theoretical and methodological underpinnings of innovation, skills, attitudes and behaviors required for promoting innovation as well as concrete toolkits used by key development actors. Further attention will be given to understanding of innovation ecosystem and real-life examples of building the culture of innovation in specific organizations. Last part of the course will concentrate on executive aspects of Agenda 2030/ SDGs implementation, such as organizational and change management, result-based management and project management cycle as well as individual career management of professionals working in the development field. The course puts emphasis on combining the understanding of general concepts and their theoretical underpinnings with practical examples and hands-on experience demonstrating the challenges of practical implementation in developing countries context.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to i) demonstrate comprehensive understanding of genesis of Agenda 2030/ SDGs framework and challenges of its practical implementation, ii) understand the role of innovation in promoting sustainable development and public policy, they will also iii) acquire knowledge of diverse innovation approaches and iv) be able to apply key innovation tools. Finally, students will be equipped with v) understanding of key concepts of organizational and result-based management, project management cycle as well as individual career management in the development field.
Syllabus
  • 1) Sustainable Development, Agenda 2030 and SDGs – Conceptual Framework and Related Challenges; 2) Agenda 2030 and SDGs – Implementation, Monitoring and Financing: 3) Example of SDG 13 - Climate Action; 4) Demystifying Innovation in Public Sector – Conceptual and Methodological Underpinnings; 5) Public Innovation – Approaches, Skills and Tools; 6) Theory of Change, Result-based Management and Project Management Cycle; 7) Group exercise – Application of Innovation Toolkit to Design Development Intervention; 8) Change Management in Public Organization; 9) Career Management Cycle, Competency Framework, Job Applications and Interview Tips; 10) Final test.
Literature
  •  Georgeson, M., M. Maslin, Mark. 2018. Putting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into practice: A review of implementation, monitoring, and finance. Geo: Geography and Environment. 5.
  •  De Vries, H.A., V.J.J.M. Bekkers, L.G. Tummers. 2015. ‘Innovation in the Public Sector: A Systemic Review and Future Research Agenda’. Public Administration.
  •  Gosling, J., H. Mitzberg. 2003. The Five Minds of a Manager. Harvard Business Review, November 2003 Issue.
  •  Damanpur, F., M. Schneider. 2009. Characteristics of Innovation and Innovation Adoption in Public Organizations: Assessing the Role of Managers. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory.
  •  Langford, M. 2016. Lost in Transformation? The Politics of the Sustainable Development Goals. Ethics & International Affairs, 30, no. 2(2016), pp. 167-176. Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs.
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures combined with class discussions, special attention will be given to providing practical examples from development field. The presentations and subsequent discussions aim at learning how to apply acquired knowledge on sustainable development, innovation and results-based management on concrete development issues. Lectures serve as important introduction to the issues of the course, it is however assumed that significant part of subject matter will be managed through self-studying of the recommended literature.
Assessment methods
During the course the students have to prepare, present and defend one presentation and successfully complete one written exam test (60%). The written test consists of 2 questions, each for 5 points. Evaluation A-10, B-9, C-8, D-7, E-6.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
Dr. Rastislav Vrbensky (Former UNDP Deputy Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro and UNDP Country Director in Tajikistan)
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2020, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2021/IREn5023