Vienna, Austria

Alternative Economic and Monetary Systems AEMS

online course
when 19 July 2021 - 6 August 2021
language English
duration 3 weeks
credits 5 EC
fee EUR 990

There is overwhelming evidence, that the current economic model based on everlasting economic growth is destroying the ecosystem of our planet and contributing to the global climate crisis. AEMS is an international summer university program that offers a new approach: An evaluation of economic alternatives that considers natural boundaries and the human factor to be equal parts of the equation. Our ambitious goal: To help solve some of societies’ problems by presenting viable alternatives to processes and developments that are putting enormous strains on economic, ecological, and social boundaries.

Therefore, the summer school wants to shed light on approaches and reform proposals that can make a real difference: AEMS offers room for critical thinking and the possibility to openly discuss and deconstruct ideas and concepts with distinguished experts from various scientific fields. Lectures, workshops and discussion panels enable the participants to acquire a deeper understanding of the intricate interactions of society, ecology and economy. In 2021, AEMS will also provide an additional focus to possible solutions for the financial crisis triggered by Covid-19.

In 2020, 36 motivated participants from 17 nations joined the interactive online-program and learned more about economic alternatives, planetary boundaries, technological remedies, and limits posed by demographic growth and human nature.

WHY AEMS? Overconsumption, resource depletion, overpopulation, environmental degradation; the current problems are vast and well known. But rather than just adding another discussion of the current state of the world, the Summer School offers solutions and provides the opportunity to link theoretical approaches with subject-specific content from different scientific disciplines and professional best practice. Students are provided with state of the art scientific data from natural and social sciences supplementing various new and classical concepts from economic sciences. This enables them to have a level-headed discussion about economic and monetary reforms while asking, “What is our leeway?”

Course leader

Experts from various scientific disciplines, among them Helga Kromp-Kolb, Christian Felber and many others.

Target group

Applicants are required to be at least 18 years old. Excellent English language skills are a prerequisite. The course is open to students from all fields with an interest in economic reform.

Course aim

Participants who formerly had little or no economic background knowledge will gain enough knowledge to hold their own in discussions about economic reform and initiate projects of their own. The videio-lectures and interactive live-sessions with workshops and discussion panels cover a variety of topics, from the reform or re-definition of money, an overhaul of the aim of economic activity towards solidarity and cooperation, tax reform, a reform of financial markets, all to the way to a change in consumer culture and the reduction of resource consumption. This year, there will also be a special focus on the financial crisis triggered by Covid-19.

Credits info

5 EC
Credits are issued by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU University)

Fee info

EUR 990: Regular participation fee includes:

- Certificate of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU University) for 5 ECTS
- Exclusive online access to world class experts in the field through lectures, live sessions and personal exchanges
- Access to tailored content and specialized documentation prepared by experts especially for the program
- Dedicated staff to support on all aspects and answer your queries for the whole duration of the program
- Special goodie*: Live in a fully furnished student guest house in Vienna EITHER during the entire three-week AEMS program in 2021 OR for one summer week in 2022 – for free!

*Subject to change according to Austrian COVID-19 measures


Early Bird Tickets available until April 1st, 2021!

Scholarships

We cooperate with several organisations to provide student grants for outstanding applicants in need of financial aid.
Reduced fee for scholarship holders: EUR 490,-

Application deadline for scholarships: May 1st, 2021
More information on course web