Cristina Capineri from the University of Siena discusses the challenges in managing natural resources and the need for integrated policies that connect economic and ecological systems. The document outlines educational initiatives aimed at enhancing participation in sustainable development, including both a translated MOOC and a locally focused blended course. It emphasizes the role of citizen science in monitoring Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and suggests the establishment of a global coalition to include citizen science data in SDG reporting.

1. ExperiencesExperiences
InitiativesInitiatives
ChallengesChallenges
Cristina Capineri, Università di SienaCristina Capineri, Università di Siena

2. Our Common Future (1987)
“…most of the institutions facing those challenges tend
to be independent, fragmented, working to relatively
narrow mandates with closed decision processes.
Those responsible for managing natural resources and
protecting the environment are institutionally
separated from those responsible for managing the
economy. The real world of interlocked economic and
ecological systems will not change; the policies and
institutions concerned must.”

3. UNIVERSITY AS BARICENTER
Innovate education
Open science
Citizen Science
Internationl
research
networks
Contribute
territorial
governance

4. UNIVERSITY AS A KNOWLEDGE
NODE
• Connect existing skills and
knowledge
• Adopt a transdisciplinary approach;
partecipatory approach (citizen
science, open science, etc.)
• Enable knowledge transfer for policy
and governance (local level)

5. SDSN_Med - UNISI
3 STRATEGIES 3 EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES
•Diffusion of Columbia University MOOC “The age of
sustainable development” translated in French and Arabic to
ensure a larger participation in the Mediterranean area;
•Local reinforcement : Open course, 25 multidisciplinary
lectures on Sustainable Development; free credits &
«Sustain-able Certificate»;
•Innovation: a blended MOOC will be developed by Siena
University and UNSDSN MED

6. THE BLENDED MOOC
Three strategic approaches:
•trandisciplinarity,
•solution oriented,
•locally / «Mediterrenan» grounded
•Give voice to participants / learn from them
The blend = Lectures from running Columbia
University MOOCS + New lecture more focussed on
Mediterranean area

7. TOPIC 1
FRONTAL
LECTURE
LOCAL /REGIONAL
CASE STUDY
PARTICIPANTS
Feedback
TESTING
READINGS
Open access
REPOSITORY
READINGS
Blended course model

8. Increased demand
50% by 2030 (IEA)
Energy
Water
Increased demand
30% by 2030
(IFPRI)
Food
Increased demand
50% by 2030
(FAO)
Climat
e
Change
Source: Professor John Beddington
Chief Scientific Adviser to HM Government, 2009
SDGs within the nexus
• Abundance in people’s
abilities, information and
communication
technologies, distribution,
leisure time …
• Scarcity in time, natural
resources, biodiversity,
land, oceans
• Potential transition from
scarcity to abundance:
energy, water

9. SDGs & UNI
How do we
monitor and
check on the
sustainable
development
goals?
Awarness
Partecipation

10. Applied
sciences
Professional
Consultants
Post-normal
Science
Partecipation
Decision
Uncertainties
system
HIGH
HIGHLOW

11. Citizen Science & Science

12. Big Data & Volunteering efforts
• Logging Roads –
Moabi & Global Forest
Watch

13. Citizen Science & SDGs - indicators
Audubon Cal.

14. Citizen Science & SDGs - Indicators
FreshWater Watchers take samples to
determine water quality © Earthwatch

15. Citizen Science & SDGs - solutions

16. Citizen Science & SDGs - solutions
• Balloon Mapping – Mathare

17. Community Citizen Science & SDGs

19. Eye on Earth Alliance 2015
• An alliance with AGEDI, UNEP, GEO, WRI &
IUCN : information for sustainable
development.
… Citizen Science was a major focus … and there
was general consensus that reporting against
SDGs must include citizen science data. To
this end, a global coalition of citizen
science groups will be established … and the
Eye on Earth Alliance will continue to engage
citizen science groups …

20. Thank you and
enjoy Siena!