Highlights

Shaping the change for desirable futures

How can we succeed in shaping urgently needed transformations in a comprehensive, targeted manner, so as to overcome the current crises we face? This is where the new CDE master’s programme in Sustainability Transformations comes in, whose launch was approved by the University of Bern in 2023. Our goal: impart to students the competencies they need to shape changes towards desirable futures.

For two years, we have been working with the Department of Learning and Development of the Vice-Rectorate of Teaching, University of Bern, to create the master’s programme in Sustainability Transformations. It is set to launch in the fall semester of 2024. Our focus on transformation underscores the University of Bern’s pioneering role in sustainability education – both nationally and internationally.

Education is a fundamental tool for the advancement of sustainable development, which underscores the value of the new full master’s programme at the University of Bern. The competence-oriented study programme aligns with international standards of education for sustainable development at the tertiary level.

Practice-oriented solutions from local to international levels

The goal of the master’s programme is to provide students with a detailed understanding of sustainability issues and the skills to analyse them critically, as well as the ability to develop practical solutions from the local to the international level based on targeted methodological training. Our emphasis here is on the potential for substantial, fundamental transformation rather than mere increases in efficiency or the enhancement of existing systems.

We are convinced that this study programme will produce specialists who can drive change towards sustainable development in government, NGOs, civil society organizations, businesses, and academia both in Switzerland and internationally.