Policy Consulting by Intermediary Organizations (2010)

The course is targeted at 2nd semester students.  The seminar uses examples from Ecologic’s work to introduce the students to the practical day-to-day functioning of an environmental think tank. At the same time, students are to develop their relevant professional capacities (e.g. presenting information in a appropriate way to decisions-makers) and enhance their knowledge on current political topics (e.g. climate change policies). Students are required to work on developing funding proposals for public procurement procedures dealing with climate change, the role of cities and regions in the EU post-Lisbon strategy and national sustainable development strategies. In addition, more theoretical debates are also part of the seminar schedule; aspects discussed include think tanks, the democratic legitimacy of policy consulting and different forms of such consulting.

The seminar has an interactive approach; students work a lot in small groups.