This course aims to engage participants in creative ways to perform IA, applying strategic thinking in combination with systems thinking to enable transformative changes in processes towards sustainability. It will address the need to be very selective in searching and using relevant information, avoiding misinformation, and discussing the possible articulation with AI particularly in handling big data. Communication skills will be explored for sharing information and the outputs of the assessment processes, but especially for engaging stakeholders in facilitating analysis and assessment using collective thinking.

While this course may be relevant to all professionals in IA, it is more adequate for experts wanting to use Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Sustainability Assessment (SA) with broader, long-term approaches, recognizing the complexity of systems in assessing non-site-specific development intentions, intertwining consideration of social, economic, and environmental issues. Expected learning outcomes include in-depth knowledge of the added value of applying strategic thinking and systems thinking in IA, and the differences between a strategic-based approach and an effects-based approach. Learning techniques include dialogues, sharing of experience, short presentations, case-studies, and participatory systems modelling.

Additionally, a cross-over activity with two other IAIA courses will allow participants to exchange perspectives in structured exercises, offering a more holistic understanding of issues and strategies.

Level: Advanced

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge on policymaking, planning and some level of experience with Strategic Environmental Assessment, Sustainability Assessment or Environmental Impact Assessment.

Language: English

Duration: 2 days (17-18 May)

Min/Max: 7-30

Price: $485

Instructor: Maria R. Partidario, Full Professor, Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal)

Maria R. Partidario

Maria R. Partidario, PhD, is full professor at IST (Instituto Superior Técnico), University of Lisbon, Portugal, and a long-standing researcher, author, trainer and consultant on SEA, environment, planning and sustainability; Maria created a methodology for strategic thinking approach for sustainability (ST4S), bridging together SEA and SA in a strategic sense, but which principles could apply generally to other forms of Impact Assessment. This ST4S concept has been put into guidance, published in Portuguese, English, Spanish and Japanese. She has trained 1000+ professional participants throughout the world in 1 to 5 days training courses, both in the context of IAIA pre-meeting courses and in national contexts (in Europe, Latin America, Middle East, North America, South East Asia and Africa). Maria is an advisor to various United Nations agencies and to multi-lateral and bi-lateral organizations, having been involved in 80+ strategic environmental assessments in practice, while her experience also includes many other projects in other fields of practice (EIA, sustainable tourism, urban planning, community engagement in sustainability driven projects in fisheries, farming, oceans, spatial planning, etc.). Maria was President of the International Association for Impact Assessment in 1997-98, and awarded the IAIA Individual Award in 2002 and the 2015 Lifetime achievement award for contributions made to the advancement of SEA internationally.