"Beahrs ELP was just what I needed. The curriculum was rich, with some of the best professors I have encountered in all my years as a student, professor and administrator. It was indeed a perspective-changing experience of a lifetime. I returned home a totally different person with a renewed belief that 'champions' can make a positive difference towards sustainable environmental management."
- Anthony Penaso - Central Mindanao University, Philippines, 2007.

"The ecxellent professors, practitioners and participants from around the world dealing with issues at global, regional, national and local levels have given me a comprehensive approach. Everthing I have learnt from ELP is very useful and significant for my current work, and for my career in the long term."
- Ta Dinh Thi - Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment, Vietnam, 2007.

"Working mostly in environmental science, I was excited to learn from fellow participants the importance of social issues such as health, gender, poverty alleviation and environmental education for sustainable development. I look forward to channeling the inspiration from each ELP participant into my own working environment."
- Lorren Haywood - Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa, 2007

"This blending of diverse and knowledge-hungry participants and experienced faculty ensured a rich academic and social setting, excellent for building environmental leaders. I think this is the best form of education that exists anywhere in the world today where people living thousands of miles apart may work hand in hand. I personally appreciated that the program is meant for mid-career professionals who really deserve such a life affirming training."
- Stephen Wanyoike Wamiti - National Museums of Kenya, Dept. of Ornithology, Kenya, 2005

"The Beahrs ELP is a great program that covers the entire gamut of issues relating to environmental management and conservation, all in just 3 weeks! It has made a huge difference already in my professional outlook. The relationships developed during the ELP with resource people and with my co-participants are for life and I hope to use this network for ideas and support for my continued commitment in the areas I work on."
- Dhenuka Srinivasan - The Energy & Resources Inst. (TERI) Southern Regional Centre, India , 2005

"For me, it has been one of the most rewarding leadership experiences I have ever had to deepen my know-ledge, exchange skills and know such strong and interesting people who are working for the same goal - 'a planet for all of us.' "
- Monica Castro - Global Consulting, Sustainable Development, Bolivia, 2005

"I learned points and directions of the most advanced environmental management knowledge and practices worldwide from top resource experts and outstanding peers. It convinced me that I could actually play a good leadership role anywhere. Most importantly, I'm now in a promising position to apply effective negotiating and conflict management skills that will benefit me a lifetime."
- Yan Zhaoli - International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal/China, 2005

COURSE INFORMATION
The Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program * (ELP) links state-of-the-art environmental and natural resource science and policy at the University of California, Berkeley, with environmental professionals around the world. It is the foremost international program within the Center for Sustainable Resource Development of the College of Natural Resources.

The core component of the Beahrs ELP is an intensive interdisciplinary summer certificate course in Sustainable Environmental Management. Since 2001, the ELP has graduated 268 environmental leaders from more than 60 countries. Course participants continue their learning and peer relations through the Beahrs ELP Berkeley Alumni Network, with an active website, newsletter, and research and educational exchange opportunities. A Small Grants Initiative for alumni provides funding to support competitively selected collaborative projects in resource conservation and sustainable development.

The Beahrs ELP works with alumni and their institutions to establish Regional Centers for Environmental Leadership that offer interdisciplinary training and research to strengthen environmental problem-solving. The first Regional Center is at St. Petersburg State University in Russia, with discussions underway to establish Centers in Southeast Asia, Southern Africa, and South Asia.
* Established in August 2000 with a generous gift from UC Berkeley alumni Carolyn and Richard Beahrs.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the summer certificate course is to provide mid-career professionals an opportunity to interact with UC Berkeley faculty and each other to improve understanding of the complex social , economic and biophysical aspects of natural resource and environmental management. Participants are continually challenged to meet environmental goals with policies that also reduce poverty and social conflict.

Summer course participants will:

• learn to integrate interdisciplinary knowledge and analyze trade-offs to solve environmental problems;
• explore a range of policies, technologies and institutions that promote sustainable livelihoods and environments;
• strengthen skills in collaborative multi-stakeholder processes, communication and leadership; and
• experience cross-cultural and cross-sectoral learning from peers around the world.

CONTENT & STRUCTURE
The 3-week certificate course offers workshops on cross-cutting issues during the first two weeks, followed by parallel sessions during the third week. In the application form applicants are asked to select the parallel session they would be most interested to attend.

Workshops are facilitated by UC Berkeley faculty as well as non-academic experts from the greater Bay Area, combining theory and methods with policy-oriented case studies. Teaching methods include lectures, role-playing, discussion, panels, small group exercises, participant presentations, and informal exchanges among participants, faculty and invited speakers.

The curriculum is enhanced by field trips in which participants experience the ways and means that California is handling diverse agricultural and natural resources and urban environmental challenges. Field trips include:

• Sacramento Valley (sustainable agriculture; river/mining restoration)
• Central Coast (intensive horticulture; coastal conservat ion)
• Biotech Lab (agricultural biotechnology & entrepreneurship)
  

WORKSHOP TOPICS & PARALLEL SESSIONS
Cross-cutting Workshops

• ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT & SUSTAINABILITY WORKOUT. Explore means to think sharply about the social and ecological dimensions of sustainability. Learn how to use the "ecological footprint" to compare resource consumption with bio-capacity at global and local levels. How can we all live well on one planet?
  
• POPULATION, POVERTY & THE ENVIRONMENT. Explore data, conceptual frameworks and case studies linking population dynamics, poverty / affluence and environmental quality. Discuss synergies for developing effectively linked policies and programs.
  
• ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY & POLLUTION. Principles of policymaking to address environmental pollution and resource degradation problems. Discuss latest policy tools and interventions, and systems for effective monitoring and enforcement. Participant-led policy cases.
  
• BUILDING LEADERSHIP SKILLS. Why are organizations often "underled and over managed"? Improve self-awareness, listening skills and speech-making for effective leadership. Discuss styles of leadership and becoming "agents of change." Special sessions on strategic planning and fundraising.
  
• COLLABORATIVE PROCESSES FOR MANAGING CONFLICT. Theory and practice in understanding multi-stakeholder environmental conflicts and conflict management through collaborative processes and interest-based negotiation. In-depth multi-stakeholder simulation exercise.
  
• AGROECOLOGY & AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY. Debate the benefits and risks of the agro-ecological approach to food security and environmental protection vs. the potential of the "genomic revolution." Discuss related issues of access, control and intellectual property in a global context.

Parallel Sessions (choose 1 of 2)

1. THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT. Review cases, technologies and models for sustainable management of cities and urban populations. Topics include land use planning, water quality, solid waste manageme nt, energy , transporta ­ tion, protection of green spaces, urban poverty and environmental justice issues. Bring your case studies related to Urban Environment for brainstorming and problem solving.
   
2. RURAL COMMUNITIES & NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. Explore current approaches to support rural livelihoods, including technology access, pro-poor entrepreneurship, community forestry, eco-agriculture, and compensation for ecosystem services. Practicum on water quality and habitat monitoring. Bring your case studies related to Communities and NRM for brainstorming and problem solving.

PARTICIPANTS & REQUIREMENTS
ELP training at Berkeley aims to enhance sustainable development knowledge, policy analysis, management and leadership around the world. It is meant for:

• development practitioners, technical advisors and academics involved in natural resource management and human-environment interactions;
  
• professionals in gove rnment, the corporate sector, non-governmental organizations, international agencies and policy-oriented academic institutions;
  
• men and women seeking exposure to interdisciplinary perspectives on sustainable livelihoods and environments from contributing faculty and fellow participants.

Participants must fulfill the following requirements:

• good proficiency in English to allow full participation in course discussions;
  
• a résumé that demonstrates strong professional experience and leadership potential;
  
• affiliation with an institution concerned with environmental management/sustainable development; and
  
• successful and timely completion of the application, including required attachments.

BENEFITS

• University of California certificate in Sustainable En vironmental Management
  
• Enhanced capacity to develop and apply policy solutions that balance environmental, efficiency and social equity objectives.
  
• Strengthened skills for communicating ideas, managing collaborative processes, and leading social change.
  
• Lifetime membership in the Beahrs ELP Berkeley Alumni Network , and continuing relationship with the University of California.
  

COST
The course fee is US$7,500. The fee covers the costs of instruction, housing, most meals, field trips, materials, certificate, health insurance (if needed) and transportation from and back to local airport . In addition, participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and for covering an estimated US$350 for meals and incidentals. See the application form for details on financial information.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations for the 2008 course are in the Foothill Dormitory at the Northeast corner the UC Berkeley Campus. The dorm offers simple, modern, clean rooms surrounded by trees and overlooking spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay Ares.

Housing is single occupancy, generally in two bedroom suites. Bath and living room are shared with a participant of the same gender. A self-service computer center, dining facilities and other amenities are on-site. UC Campus classrooms, shops, restaurants and public transportation are nearby.

BROCHURES & APPLICATIONS
Click here to see a downloadable brochure in PDF format
Click here for a downloadable application in Word format
Click here for a downloadable application in PDF format