The post-Cold War world is undergoing major changes that threaten the future of our societies. Among them is a complex reconceptualization of the meaning of democracy, which is linked to a climate crisis that is no longer seen in the immediate future, but is more present than ever. While often treated as separate issues - and even belonging to different disciplines - the nexus between democracy and the climate change agenda is now a major challenge in providing clear and effective conceptual frameworks and policy responses. Despite the gloomy prognosis for the development of both fields, it is important to identify those areas where promising - and potentially scalable - progress is being made. In this sense, environmental democracy, as a scheme for implementing instances of regional and global governance, appears to be a key area in this regard. Moreover, political innovation can also offer - at different and complementary levels - specific fields of action that can support initiatives to strengthen the link between democracy and climate change.
Advanced Training Course | A.A. 2025-2026
Global Challenges of the 21st Century: the Nexus of Democracy and Climate Change
Online learning
4 in depth modules, 12 video lessons, and a suite of text and podcast resources
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Delivery Mode | Online |
Undergraduate students in International Relations, Political Science, History and Management, as well as professionals who wish to deepen their knowledge of environmental politics from an international perspective.
To explore the intersections between democracy and the climate change agenda, analyzing how contemporary democracies are addressing environmental challenges and what institutional, legal and policy tools have emerged. In addition, to explore the role of environmental democracy and political innovation in strengthening the link between democracies and the climate change agenda.
Outgoing Knowledge:
- The current challenges facing liberal democracies and their relationship to global inaction on the climate crisis
- The concept of environmental democracy and its link to climate justice and citizen participation
- The main international instruments for environmental democracy, with a special focus on Latin America and Europe
Outgoing skills:
- Knowledge of global environmental governance
- Acquisition of new policy innovation tools
- Analytical skills, especially in understanding political and civic innovations in the face of the climate crisis from a democratic perspective
The course is modular and takes approximately 2 hours to complete (12 video lessons), with each module building on the previous one. It is recommended to follow the content in sequence, according to the established path.
At the end of each module, learners will complete a self-assessment test consisting of five multiple-choice questions.
Upon completing the course, there will be a final test of at least 15 multiple-choice questions, which must be passed to obtain the open badge.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the current challenges facing liberal democracies and their relationship to global inaction on the climate crisis;
- To introduce the concept of environmental democracy and its links to climate justice and citizen participation;
- To analyze the main international instruments for environmental democracy, with a special focus on Latin America and Europe;
- To explore political and civic innovations in the face of the climate crisis from a democratic perspective.
Skills
- Analytical skills;
- Knowledge of global environmental governance;
- Acquisition of new policy innovation tools.
Programme:
- Overview - Global Challenges of the 21st Century: The Nexus of Democracy and Climate Change
- Module 1 - Democracy in crisis and the crisis of the climate.
- Module 2 - Environmental Democracy: the Aarhus Convention and the Escazú Agreement.
- Module 3 - New patterns of democratic action and climate governance.
Ignacio LARA
- Project Manager, Energy Transition, Environmental Democracy & Global South, Asunto del Sur
- Visiting Professor at ASERI - Graduate School of Economics and International Relations
2026/27 I Edition
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Deadline for registration:2026-12-18T00:00:00+01:00
4 in depth modules, 12 video lessons, and a suite of text and podcast resources -accessible on demand for a full year from day of enrollment.
Click here to enroll
The course will be available on the "Lifelong Learning" digital learning platform of the Università Cattolica for 12 months from the date of registration.
COURSE FEE
The course fee is € 80.00 + VAT.
A reduced fee of € 72.00 + VAT is available for graduates and diploma holders of the University who are registered for Servizi Premium of the Community Alumni UCSC.
A further reduced fee of € 64.00 + VAT is available for current students of the University.
Payment methods:
- To enrol in the course, you must register online and pay the fee by credit card.