3 ECTS credits
90 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 6001617FNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
The course first sets out the key determinants and challenges of globalization and illustrates the global consensus that emerged since the end of the cold war, that international law and global governance structures can and should be mobilised to steer globalisation towards realizing the broad economic, social and environmental objectives of sustainable development (1990 Paris Charter, 1992 Rio, 1995 Copenhagen, 2000 MDG, 2015 SDG). It subsequently addresses the question to what extent international organisations and regulatory frameworks actually contribute to sustainable development and effectively address:
• the main economic challenges of globalization (poverty eradication, basic needs, economic growth and economic development): IMF, World Bank, WTO and international regulatory framework on investment and technology;
• the main social challenges of globalization (inclusiveness, employment, labour standards, decent work, public health, humanitarian relief, asylum, connection): ILO, WHO, UNHCR, Red Cross, ITU/WSIS);
• the main environmental challenges of globalization (pollution, climate change, depletion of resources, loss of bio diversity): 1972 Stockholm via 1992 and 2012 Rio (UNCCC, CBD) to increased effectiveness of multilateral environmental agreements, and a new deal on Climate Change; role of UNEP, UNHLWG, UNECE).
Towards the end, the course will seek to draw a number of overall conclusions on the effectiveness of existing global governance structures and to formulate concrete recommendations.
This course will only be given in English Documents and readings from books and articles are distributed to the students.
Materials + readers edited by Prof. S. Van Thiel
Complementary study material:
Books and articles are available in the VUB Library
Brief description of the objectives, content of the Master Programme component and interpretation of educational forms:
The course aims at providing students with sufficient knowledge and insight in the main economic, social and environmental challenges arising from globalisation and in the key international governance strutures dealing with these challenges. Students are expected to be able at the end of the course to independently evaluate the question whether existing international governance structures are capable of effectively responding to globalisation challenges. They must be able to work together in a small team on a coherent joint analysis of a globalisation challenge showing capacity to independently analyse and evalute challenges and responses and to formulate solutions that are workable in an international context. Topics must be chosen among those commonly dealt with by international practitioners in the private sector (civil society) and in the public sector (government officials dealing with international organisations).
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
LEC Paper determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the LEC Paper category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Students are requested to form teams (of maximum 4) around a topic of their choice and to produce a Joint Research Paper (in English) that clearly identifies and describes a particular globalisation challenge, analyses and evaluates the relevant action undertaken by the competent global governance structures to address the challenge, and formulate recommendations for further action.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of International and European Law: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of International and European Law: Standaard traject