Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) – Training Course
Announcement
Training course
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
29 November – 10 December 2021
The training course
The course is a 15-hour online training that includes theoretical and practical training sessions on key themes, concepts, and methodologies applied in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). SEA is a systematic, decision aiding procedure for evaluating the likely significant environmental effects of a policy, plan, or program (PPP) through their development process and beginning at the earliest opportunity. In other words, it is an environmental assessment done at a high strategic level of decision-making (i.e., at the PPP level). It aims mainly at 1) integrating environmental considerations into the PPP and evaluating the interlinkages with economic and social considerations, and 2) predicting coherences and contradictions with other national and local PPPs. SEA involves evaluation and analysis processes, reporting and recommendation of sustainable measures to mitigate adverse environmental and socio-economic impacts of the PPP, and consideration of the findings in the decision-making processes.
Date 29 November – 10 December 2021 (Monday-Friday), ,
time 01:30-03:00 pm (GMT+2:00)
platform via Zoom
language english
number of participants 15-20 participants
registration until 18 November 2021
fees Thanks to the financial support of the Centers for Natural Resources and Development (CNRD) no registration fees are requested!
What is Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)?
SEA is a systematic, decision aiding procedure for evaluating the likely significant environmental effects of a policy, plan, or program (PPP) through their development process and beginning at the earliest opportunity. In other words, it is an environmental assessment done at a high strategic level of decision- making (i.e., at the PPP level). It aims mainly at 1) integrating environmental considerations into the PPP and evaluating the interlinkages with economic and social considerations, and 2) predicting coherences and contradictions with other national and local PPPs. SEA involves evaluation and analysis processes, reporting and recommendation of sustainable measures to mitigate adverse environmental and socio-economic impacts of the PPP, and consideration of the findings in the decision-making processes (i.e., adjustment). While SEA is considered a crucial tool promoting education on environmental politics, it cannot be applied without the fundamental involvement of the stakeholders and the public, including the participation of women, the youth, and other vulnerable groups) from the very beginning and throughout the whole SEA process to promote their role in decision-making.
What is the motivation and rational behind this training course?
SEA is acknowledged as an important decision support tool. Despite the emphasis on the significance of this tool in the international arena and its application in some parts of the world like the USA, Sweden, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Hong Kong, and New Zealand, SEA is still rarely applied (if any) to policy- and decision-making processes related to environmental initiatives in other parts of the world, such as Latin America, East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Hence, there is a need to spread the knowledge and practice of SEA among planners and policy-makers in these regions.
Whom is this training course for?
1. Policy and decision-makers, planners, and technical staff who participate directly or indirectly in developing environmental policies, strategies, and programs at the national and local levels from governmental and non-governmental organizations, private sector, academic institutions, community-based and civil society organizations.
2. Post-graduate students at universities or academic institutions who are enrolled in environmental studies, ecological studies, political and law studies, environmental and civil engineering, urban planning, rural development, social and sustainability studies.
What are we offering? And How?
The online training course comprises the following five modules:
− Module 1: Introduction and Background to SEA
− Module 2: Applied SEA – Screening & Scoping
− Module 3: Applied SEA – Assessment (Tools and Methods)
− Module 4: Stakeholders’ Involvement and Public Participation
− Module 5: SEA Report and Quality Assurance & Monitoring
The modules summarize state of the art knowledge and practice of SEA. The online course uses a blended learning method that includes a combination of recorded lecture videos, virtual (online) lectures, hands-on learning sessions, and self-study. The recorded and virtual lectures provide theoretical and conceptual explanations of different aspects related to approaches, models, applications, legal frameworks, and limitations of SEA. In the hands-on learning sessions, we analyze and assess case studies of country national or local PPPs considering context-specificity of the country. In these sessions, we use mainly learning-by-doing individual and group exercises, group discussions and presentations, questions and answers (Q&A), and quizzes. These methods are used to apply various aspects associated with performing/applying SEA analytical and assessment processes. The case study can be a PPP that is drafted recently or is to be renewed in the near future to be submitted to SEA for drawing conclusions and recommendations. Self-study entails reviewing recommended readings and case studies assigned by the trainer. Some of the readings will be sent to the participants a week ahead of the training course.
What will you be able to achieve after completing the training course?
You will be able to plan and perform SEA by applying its standard methodological approaches and understand SEA reports submitted to support decision making processes in environmental management.
In specific, you will be able to
1. Have understanding of sound environmental management (i.e., integrating environmental sustainability considerations in strategic planning and decision-making).
2. Have understanding of different SEA definitions and objectives, various SEA approaches, applications, models and tools.
3. Define strategic actions – policies, plans and programs, and explain their role in relation to social objectives.
4. Explain role and benefits of SEA in the decision-making process.
5. Explain relationship and differences between SEA and EIA.
6. Identify and explain key SEA principles and performance criteria.
7. Applying different SEA analytical and assessment approaches.
8. Recognize strengths and limitations of different SEA case studies.
9. Be familiar with different legal contexts and frameworks of SEA (i.e., SEA laws in different countries)
Prerequisites
1. Good proficiency in English.
2. Interested in the topic of the training course.
3. Participants’ background in one or more of the following fields is preferable for achieving the workshop learning outcome: Environmental studies, ecological studies, political and law studies, environmental and civil engineering, urban planning, rural development, social and sustainability studies.
4. Participants’ involvement in planning and policy-making in their professions will maximize their benefit from the training course.
How to register?
The only step you need to do to register for the training course is to send us an e mail at suha.al-madbouh[at]th-koeln.de until 18 November 2021 expressing your interest in joining our training course.
You will be receiving a participation confirmation e-mail between 20-22 November 2021.
Contact
Trainer: Dr. Suha Al-Madbouh
E-mail: suha.al-madbouh[at]th-koeln.de
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