29 November 2022
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
University creates ultra-specific course on ‘The Climate Crisis and Local Government’
Today Cllrs from Cork received their parchments having completed a new course at University College Cork.
The Level 7 “Continuing Professional Development in The Climate Crisis and Local Government” costs €850 according to the UCC website which also gives the following details:
Course Outline
The climate crisis is here. Recently we have seen it accelerate with record breaking temperatures, heatwaves, and wildfires. This course will examine these issues focusing on local government and sustainability. Such a dynamic and transitioning world requires governance at all levels, including local, to be responsive, proactive, and future-looking in finding solutions to address the complex intersecting issues we will all face as the global heating unfolds. The course will introduce councillors in how Ireland aims to become a climate-resilient, sustainable, and low carbon economy and society in the coming decades. The course will examine how government aims to mitigate and adapt to the challenges brought on by our changing climate in the process. In doing so it will look at, amongst other concerns the issues of urban and rural resilience, sustainability practices, the pathway to zero carbon, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and climate justice. The course will also examine the wider economic and political context at the macro level, the Paris climate agreement of 2015 for instance, and community leadership and the need for a dynamic political response across a subject which has not only local and national but global implications.
Course Practicalities
This course will be delivered part-time to facilitate adult learners who already have a multitude of professional and personal responsibilities. Each module on this course will comprise 18 hours of lectures, including both recorded lectures and live online classes delivered over 6 weeks. In addition, there will be a full day (Saturday) fieldtrip/workshop per module.
Both online and offline delivery of this programme allows for students from around Ireland’s 31 county and city councils to interact with each other through peer-to-peer learning, with a view to building relationships and networks between participants, and expertise in the issues related to the climate crisis.
Photos of parchments being presented
Aodh Quinlivan, Director of the Centre for Local and Regional Governance in UCC, making the presentation to Cllr Oliver Moran, at the presentation of the inaugural Certificate in CPD in Climate Crisis & Local Government, at the Aula Maxima in UCC. Also included is Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, President of the Association of Irish Local Government.
Picture: David Keane.
Professor Paul McSweeney, Vice-President for Learning and Teaching in UCC, speaking at the presentation of the inaugural Certificate in CPD in Climate Crisis & Local Government, at the Aula Maxima in UCC.
Picture: David Keane.
Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, President of the Association of Irish Local Government, speaking at the presentation of the inaugural Certificate in CPD in Climate Crisis & Local Government, at the Aula Maxima in UCC.
Picture: David Keane.
Aodh Quinlivan, Director of the Centre for Local and Regional Governance in UCC, making the presentation to Cllr Susan McCarthy, at the presentation of the inaugural Certificate in CPD in Climate Crisis & Local Government, at the Aula Maxima in UCC. Also included is Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, President of the Association of Irish Local Government.
Picture: David Keane.
Aodh Quinlivan, Director of the Centre for Local and Regional Governance in UCC, making the presentation to Cllr Gobnait Moynihan, at the presentation of the inaugural Certificate in CPD in Climate Crisis & Local Government, at the Aula Maxima in UCC. Also included is Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, President of the Association of Irish Local Government.
Picture: David Keane.
Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, President of the Association of Irish Local Government, pictured with Cork City and County Councillors at the presentation of the inaugural Certificate in CPD in Climate Crisis & Local Government, at the Aula Maxima in UCC. Included are from left, Audrey Buckley, Susan McCarthy, Garret Kelleher, Gobnait Moynihan, Deirdre O’Brien and Oliver Moran.
Picture: David Keane.
Aodh Quinlivan, Director of the Centre for Local and Regional Governance in UCC, making the presentation to Cllr Deirdre O’Brien, at the presentation of the inaugural Certificate in CPD in Climate Crisis & Local Government, at the Aula Maxima in UCC. Also included is Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, President of the Association of Irish Local Government.
Picture: David Keane.