Alternative Economic and Monetary Systems

Alternative Economic and Monetary Systems is an interdisciplinary summer university program focusing on innovative approaches for a more sustainable economy: International participants deal with the limits to growth and the instabilities of our financial system. They learn why a drastic system change is necessary to stabilize the world climate at 1.5°C. And most importantly: they are presented with an array of alternative approaches, such as sovereign money, the Economy for the Common Good, degrowth, working time reduction, ethical banking and more!

AEMS 2023 will take place July 17th to August 4th in Vienna.

WHY AEMS? 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 offers 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.

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 international 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 lectures, 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.

Credits info

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

Fee info

EUR 1390: Regular participation fee - EUR 1.390

Included in your participation fee:
o Certificate of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU University) for 5 ECTS after successful completion
o All costs for lectures and lecture-related activities (workshops, excursions)
o All costs related to extra-curricular activities as shown in the program
o Fully furnished accommodation in an OeAD-Guesthouse with the option to extend the stay for one (1) additional week at no extra cost
o Public transport tickets for the duration of the summer university
o Catered evening events as shown in the program (Opening event, dinner at a typical Austrian restaurant)
o Some light refreshments during the lectures
o Dedicated staff to support and answer your queries
More information on course website.

Scholarships

We collaborate with several organizations to provide grants for outstanding studnets in need of financial aid. The reduced fee for scholarship holders is EUR 490,-