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Transforming Development: The Science and Practice of Resilience Thinking
Course
en
English
21 h
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- Self-paced
- Free Access
- Fee-based Certificate
- 7 Sequences
- Intermediate Level
Course details
Syllabus
Module 1: Setting the Scene - Development in a changing world
We have entered the geological epoch of the Anthropocene, the age of humans. Humanity is now the largest driving force of change on the planet. What does this mean for development? In this new reality, development must be able to navigate slow and rapid change, complexity, and surprise.
Module 2: Why does the world seem so complex?
In the Anthropocene, why does the world seem so complex? We define what we mean by complexity, and some ways to think about complexity in the context of development.
Module 3: Transformations and innovation for rethinking development practice
Development practice as we know it needs to be able to navigate uncertainties. However, the business-as-usual approach is not working in the Anthropocene. A new way of thinking about innovation and the capacity to transform is necessary in order to thrive in the face of uncertainty. This module defines transformation, outlines some of the science around transformation, provides examples of transformative development practice and reimagines the role of innovation.
Module 4: The journey from theory to practice
Modules 1-3 provide a strong foundation for why, theoretically, resilience thinking could help transform development practice in the Anthropocene. Module 4 highlights a number of approaches and tools that can help practitioners, policymakers, and others rethink their development interventions.
Module 5: Reconnecting the social-ecological-cultural for rethinking development practice
This module highlights the importance of seeing the social, ecological, and cultural as inseparable. It also emphasizes that for development to succeed in the Anthropocene, all of these dimensions must be considered together in development practice.
Module 6: Why the global matters for transforming development practice
This module explores how humanity’s actions in one place and time, can have surprising consequences for other places and times. This module explores why the global matters for local development and how changes at the local level can scale up and have global implications.
Module 7: Alternative futures for development practice
Knowing all this, where do we go from here? This final module uses “futures thinking” as an approach towards development practice. The different chapters present ways of thinking that can help us change the present for the better, through imagining positive alternative futures for development and indeed, for humanity.
We have entered the geological epoch of the Anthropocene, the age of humans. Humanity is now the largest driving force of change on the planet. What does this mean for development? In this new reality, development must be able to navigate slow and rapid change, complexity, and surprise.
Module 2: Why does the world seem so complex?
In the Anthropocene, why does the world seem so complex? We define what we mean by complexity, and some ways to think about complexity in the context of development.
Module 3: Transformations and innovation for rethinking development practice
Development practice as we know it needs to be able to navigate uncertainties. However, the business-as-usual approach is not working in the Anthropocene. A new way of thinking about innovation and the capacity to transform is necessary in order to thrive in the face of uncertainty. This module defines transformation, outlines some of the science around transformation, provides examples of transformative development practice and reimagines the role of innovation.
Module 4: The journey from theory to practice
Modules 1-3 provide a strong foundation for why, theoretically, resilience thinking could help transform development practice in the Anthropocene. Module 4 highlights a number of approaches and tools that can help practitioners, policymakers, and others rethink their development interventions.
Module 5: Reconnecting the social-ecological-cultural for rethinking development practice
This module highlights the importance of seeing the social, ecological, and cultural as inseparable. It also emphasizes that for development to succeed in the Anthropocene, all of these dimensions must be considered together in development practice.
Module 6: Why the global matters for transforming development practice
This module explores how humanity’s actions in one place and time, can have surprising consequences for other places and times. This module explores why the global matters for local development and how changes at the local level can scale up and have global implications.
Module 7: Alternative futures for development practice
Knowing all this, where do we go from here? This final module uses “futures thinking” as an approach towards development practice. The different chapters present ways of thinking that can help us change the present for the better, through imagining positive alternative futures for development and indeed, for humanity.
Prerequisite
None.
Instructors
Johan Rockström
Co-Director
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Michele-Lee Moore
Director
GRAID, Stockholm Resilience Centre
Editor
The SDG Academy creates and curates free massive open online courses and educational materials on sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
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