LEAD Europe training 2011 - Inspiring leadership for a sustainable world (London, Brussels and Ottawa)

LEAD Europe is one of the most dynamic, engaging and innovative leadership and sustainability programmes in Europe. We work with 'rising stars' from across the world to enhance their leadership skills and understanding of sustainable development.

Read more about the exciting learning journey of 2011 on www.lead-europe.org.

LEAD Europe is currently accepting applications for the 2011 Leadership for Sustainable Development Programme.

Could you be a global leader? We are looking for:
* Leadership potential
* Ability to instigate change
* Awareness of sustainability challenges within your sector
* Ability to work well in a multinational team
* Knowledge and expertise to share with the LEAD network
* Willingness to learn from and with experts

Apply now: www.lead-europe.org/apply
Application deadline: 12 April 2011

KEY DATES
E-learning module: Requires 14 hours of study during the time period of 13 June - 10 July 2011
Module 1: 10-15 July 2011 London: Complexity, Collaboration and Creating Change
Module 2: 4-9 September 2011 Brussels: The EU and Leadership - Towards a Sustainable Future
Module 3: 16-23 October 2011 Ottawa, Canada International Session: Greening our Economies – Leadership and Technology for a Sustainable World

NEWS
Guest speakers joining us in 2011
Cherie Blair - Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women
Jonathon Porritt - Co-founder of Forum for the Future
Solitaire Townsend - Co-founder of Futerra Sustainability Communications
Baroness Bryony Worthington - Founder of Sandbag
David Grayson - Director of Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility Cranfield University

MSc in Climate Sciences studies programme, U Bern, Switzerland

MSc in Climate Sciences studies programme
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4 semesters, 120 European (ECTS) credits

Graduate School of Climate Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland

Registration deadline for autumn semester: 30 April 2011
Late registrations are accepted until 1 August 2011.

A tailor-made curriculum:
- 8 ECTS compulsory courses: basic knowledge and soft skills.
- 52 ECTS elective courses: create your own profile by combining
courses and training in natural sciences, humanities, economics and law.
- 60 ECTS master thesis: research-oriented, in one of the associated research groups.

Five specialisations:
- Climate and Earth System Science
- Atmospheric Science
- Economics and Law
- Economic, Social and Environmental History
- Statistics

Requirements for admission:
- B.Sc. (180 ECTS, any discipline) or
- B.A. (180 ECTS, for specialisation in Economics and Environmental History only) or
- an equivalent or higher degree

The University of Bern is at the cutting edge of climate and climate impact research. Built on a long tradition, we offer outstanding educational and research facilities. The University of Bern hosts the Technical Support Unit of IPCC Working Group I and the Project Office of IGBP Past Global Changes (PAGES). The Master of Science in Climate Sciences programme is part of the Graduate School of Climate Sciences affiliated to the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research of the University of Bern.

Please visit our website for comprehensive information:
<http://www.climatestudies.unibe.ch/msc_programme/>

Contact for all requests:
Dr. Lorenz Martin, studies director
<mailto:lorenz.martin@oeschger.unibe.ch>

3rd Annual Biochar Conference, Edinburgh 2011

3rd Annual Biochar Conference

Edinburgh 2011

Building on the success of the previous two annual meetings, the UK Biochar Research Centre would like to invite you to the 3rd Annual Conference in Edinburgh, on 25th and 26th May, 2011. There will also be an official unveiling of new pilot-scale 'specified biochar' production pyrolysis facility followed by a reception on the 24th May - details TBC.

Among the highlights of the event will be also a key note speech by Prof. Johannes Lehmann (Cornell University). There will be also guided tours of the UKBRC laboratories and the pilot-scale pyrolysis facilities for 'specified biochar' production, housed within the University of Edinburgh (UKBRC).

The overall purpose of the conference is to enable those interested or actively researching biochar to come together and exchange experiences and to learn of progress in the UK community from a inter-disciplinary perspective.

There will be a small administration charge (£25) to attend both days (25th and 26th) and a complimentary lunch buffet and refreshments will be provided on each day. The unveiling ceremony on the 24th is free of charge.

KEY DATES:

24th April abstract submission deadline

1st May notification of paper acceptance

24th of May unveiling ceremony

25th - 26th of May UK Biochar 2011 conference

Announcement and Call for Papers

More at http://www.sccs.org.uk/biochar/Edinburgh-May-2011

International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) 2011

The Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) programme was established to develop and maintain international research collaboration. These awards are for full-time study towards higher degrees by research. IPRS are funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Competition for scholarships is intense; only applicants with extensive research training and experience will be offered an award. UWS may also offer University funded awards called UWS International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (UWSIPRS). These awards carry the same stipend and conditions as the government funded IPRS. Applicants do not need to apply separately for these awards. All applicants for the IPRS are automatically considered for the UWSIPRS if they are not offered an IPRS.

The IPRS programme is designed to:

- attract international postgraduate students to study for a higher degree by research in Australia
- support Australia’s research effort.

The IPRS are scholarships for research Masters and Doctorate degrees. They:

- are available to eligible international students only
- cover the cost of course fees and mandatory health cover requirements for the duration of the scholarship.

Value

The award provides for the full cost of tuition and overseas student health cover. The award may not provide for other fees charged by the University from time to time. UWS also provides a living allowance of A$22,860 per annum, indexed annually and paid fortnightly. Tenure The tenure of the award is three years for doctoral candidates and two years for Masters Honours (research masters) candidates.

Eligibility

Students from any overseas country, except New Zealand, who are commencing a new research degree course and do not already hold an equivalent degree are eligible to apply. Applicants for coursework awards are not eligible to apply, even where there is a research component in the degree. Students who have already commenced their research degree may not be eligible. Current AusAID students are ineligible.

How to Apply

Step 1: Contact an academic advisor

You are strongly advised to contact an academic advisor to discuss your proposed project before applying. A Research Coordinator is available in each School, Research Group and Research Centre to discuss your eligibility for admission and assist you to identify a suitable supervisor.

Step 2: Submit an application form

The Application Form (PDF, 229Kb) includes an application for scholarship and an application for admission to your preferred course. If you have not already applied for admission you must submit both the Application for Scholarship and the Application for Admission. All applicants are required to submit a research proposal and certified copies of their transcripts and certificates of completion. If you have published your work in refereed journals or presented your work at conferences you are required to submit very particular evidence of these achievements. Please refer to the instructions in the application for information on how to present this evidence.

Closing Date

Applications close on Wednesday 31 August 2011.

Contact Us

Research Scholarships Development
Officer Office of Research Services
University of Western Sydney
Penrith Campus, Building K.1.37
Locked Bag 1797, Penrith NSW 2751
Telephone: +61 2 4736 0966
Email: t.mills@uws.edu.au http://www.uws.edu.au/research/scholarships/endeavour_international_postgraduate_research_scholarships_eiprs

http://www.innovation.gov.au/Research/ResearchBlockGrants/Pages/InternationalPostgraduateResearchScholarships.aspx

Invitation: E-discussion on Sustainable Mountain Development in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, 4-24 April 2011

Moderator’s note:

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With apology for cross-posting please find below an e-discussion announcement. This discussion is open to anyone who has understanding of the issues or interest in sustainable mountain development in the Himalayas and beyond.

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From: Madhav Karki
Sent: Friday, April 01, 2011 2:21 PM

Dear Colleagues,

With great pleasure and expectations, we would like to invite our learned and esteemed partners to actively participate in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya regional e-discussion on Sustainable Mountain Development (SMD), scheduled from 4^th till 24th April 2011. The e-discussion is a preliminary brainstorming session for preparing the Hindu Kush-Himalayan status report on challenges and opportunities faced by the region in promoting sustainable mountain development (SMD), considering the development initiatives taken  and their role in improving the human, social and natural dimensions of SMD. The discussion aims in capturing the understandings evolved over last twenty years since the first UNCED held in Rio in 1992 which resulted in the adoption of Agenda 21 and in which a Chapter on Mountain  (13) was also included . Syntheses of this e-discussion will eventually be part of HKH regional assessment report on the policies, plans, programmes and actions taken by GOs, NGOs, and others to realize SMD by implementing the Agenda 21, especially Chapter 13.

The intended target audience of the E-discussion in the HKH regional Rio+20 Assessment are: policy and decision makers at the international and national level, including multilateral and bilateral development agencies, national governments, private sector, and local and regional administrations. The report is further meant to address least developed mountain countries, regions and their civil society organisations including international and national NGOs and foundations; private as well as public sector enterprises, including transnational corporations; academic institutions; scientists; and researcher, scholars and academia.

The e-discussion structured as below provides enough rooms to inform, aware, report, discuss and explore information, understandings, issues, challenges, opportunities and seeks strategic forward with regard to SMD in the region.

• Pre-discussion: A short overview (with spatial/quantitative/trend data where possible)
• Week 1: Understanding different mountain systems and their contribution to providing goods and services
• Week 2: Issues, challenges and opportunities
• Week 3: How Mountain systems can provide strategic way forward for the Rio+20 Agenda?’

Further details is available on the web at http://www.icimod.org/?q=3193 .

Please click here to join the e-discussion. Please do not hesitate to write to tmahat@icimod.org in case you have any difficulty in joining the e-discussion or   need more information.

E-discussion Team

·         Overall Coordinator: Dr Madhav Karki, Deputy Director General, ICIMOD

·         Moderator: Dr Sudhirendar Sharma, Ecological  Society, New Delhi

·         E-discussion Administrator: Mr Tek Jung Mahat, APMN Node Manager, ICIMOD

I therefore invite you for your active, involved and insightful participation in this E-discussion and on behalf of the ICIMOD team and the external moderator look forward to interacting with you for contributing to our common vision of sustainable HKH region.

Sincerely, Madhav Karki

Madhav Karki, Ph.D.

Deputy Director General

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)