LP - Yaz Okulu: İklim Değişikliği, Akıllı Enerji Politikaları ve Nükleer Enerji - Ekoloji

Climate Change – Intelligent Energy Strategies – Nuclear Energy

Climate change has been identified as a key challenge to humankind. Although international and regional efforts are underway to counteract its destructive effects, solutions are still to be found and to be made operational. In this context, the countries of the Middle East and Turkey will be heavily affected by climate change, but also bear important and differentiated responsibilities for protecting the climate, as all countries of the world.
The security of energy supplies constitutes the basic interest of the governments of the countries of the Middle East and Turkey. However, a future-oriented and intelligent energy policy needs to be a key concern for the region. In response to the increasing need for action against climate change, some Middle East countries and Turkey have taken some initial steps. Climate protection however has still to become an integral part of their national and regional policy strategies for sustainable development.
Regional cooperation provides the possibility to strengthen existent potentials. Renewable energies and measures of energy efficiency offer a broad range of innovative solutions to regional climate strategies. Intelligent energy strategies based on renewable energy and energy efficiency are increasingly recognized in the region as key contributions to combat human-made climate change, to promote sustainable development and poverty reduction.
In order to contribute to coping strategies with the growing global responsibilities incumbent on the Middle East and Turkey, the Heinrich Boell Foundation, represented by its offices in Istanbul, Ramallah and Beirut, will host a regional “Summer School”. The Summer School will address challenges and opportunities in achieving intelligent energy policies and in contributing to sustainable and ecological development. It will be held on 3rd to 8th July 2010 in Heybeliada, Istanbul.
The Summer School aims to discuss the state of recent energy policies, potential of renewable energies and energy efficiency in the Middle East and Turkey and its possible impact on sustainable development with regard to climate change. It will consist of three modules:

1. Climate Change
Climate change has become the overriding environmental issue of our time. There is alarming evidence that important tipping points, leading to irreversible changes in the ecosystem, may have already been reached or passed. The effects of climate change on the economies of the Middle East and Turkey are already immense. The failure of the Copenhagen climate summit has underlined the need for exploring new avenues of regional cooperation for combating climate change. This module will address the impact of climate change for the Middle East and Turkey and the resulting responsibilities for the states in the region. Furthermore, the role of the industrially developed countries in assisting the region will be dealt with.

2. Intelligent Energy Policies Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency
Sustainable energy supply will remain a main challenge in the region for the coming decades. A number of renewable energy projects in the region, in particular in the field of solar and wind technology, and energy efficiency measures have demonstrated that this sector can play a key role in providing alternatives to fossil fuels and stimulating economic growth and employment. Participants will assess the challenges and opportunities for enhancing the role of intelligent energy policies in the region. The focus will be on the question how alternative energies can be promoted to become a key industrial sector in the region.

3. Nuclear Energy Ambitions in the Region
Nuclear power is frequently portrayed as a clean, cheap, and abundant source of energy. A number of countries in the region have recently voiced their interest in exploring the intensified use of nuclear power. Turkey is engaging in the establishing of nuclear energy plants since years. Jordan, Egypt and other countries of the Middle East are investing in the sector as well. Yet, the usage of nuclear energy in the region and internationally raises a number of concerns regarding to environment and human security. This module will thus focus on debating the pro- and con-arguments of nuclear power. Topics will include sensitization of the public towards the use of nuclear energy, its environmental and human implications, as well as its impact on regional cooperation.

Participants:
The Summer School is designed to build the capacities of the participants from the Middle East and Turkey and to stir a debate about urgent current policy topics. It will also provide the international lecturers with information about and viewpoints from the region, and offer an excellent platform for exchanging ideas, opinions, arguments and sharing experiences across the region. This program shall promote networking among civil society actors, researchers and activists in the region active in the field of climate, energy and environment. This Summer School inter alia addresses junior professionals, postgraduates, activists, and researchers working at NGO’s, civil society organizations, think tanks or other institutions. The methodology will be varied, including lectures, working groups, role playing and the formation of task forces.

To apply, please fill in the application form and submit that form, a Curriculum Vitae and motivation letter in English by e-mail to:

Heinrich Böll Stiftung Derneği, Mrs. Nukhet Ogan (nogan@boell-tr.org)

Deadline for applications is April 16, 2010.

Open Call (PDF)

Regional Summer School Galery