On small islands, the connection between people and the sea is exceptionally strong. At the same time, these islands face significant challenges, such as rising sea levels, coral degradation, an increasing frequency of natural disasters, waste management issues, food security, and the availability of fresh water. These challenges are particularly acute for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

During the first nine weeks of the minor, you will be immersed in sustainable island management from a people–planet–profit perspective through interactive lectures. You are encouraged—and expected—to read and analyse relevant scientific literature and to actively participate in discussions. Two exams are included in this module to assess your acquired knowledge.

This theoretical foundation will prepare you for a client-based project, which you will carry out during the minor. These projects focus on either ecological or socio-economic themes. In addition, students in the minor will collaboratively organise a symposium.

The minor includes a day trip to one of the Dutch Wadden Islands and a longer field trip, to the Dutch Caribbean or the Dutch Wadden Islands. A maximum of 10 students can participate in the Caribbean excursion. Additional costs apply to all field trips.

Added Value:
Does it sound appealing to you to work half a year, intensively, on a small island and its threats, challenges, opportunities and solutions that are an every day's business here? Then subscribe for the minor Sustainable Island Management!

At the end of this minor the student:

1. Has insight in challenges that occur on small islands. 
2. Systematically review and apply relevant literature on a specific subject 
3. Systematically review and apply relevant management tools on a specific subject 
4. Using different communication techniques to present a project 
5. Can research an ecological or socio-economical question in the field of sustainable island management
6. Can translate research outcomes into management advice supporting the transition towards sustainable small island use.

Propaedeutic certificate. Some background in ecology and economy will be useful.   

Check the online learning platform (Moodle) for information about additional literature.

Interactive lectures, excursions, seminars, discussions, workshops, fieldwork:

Lectures  - 130 sbu
Self-study -  130  sbu
Guest lectures  - 20 sbu
Symposium  - 120 sbu
Working on assignments  - 200 sbu
Excursion  - 106 sbu
Workshops  - 70 sbu
Fieldwork  - 50 sbu

Ecology exam (written, individual, mark 0,1), weight 5
Socio-economy exam (written, individual, mark 0,1), weight 5
Island report (written, group, mark 0,1), weight 5
Symposium assignment (oral, individual, mark 0,1), weight 4
Excursion report (written, individual, pass/fail), weight 1
Workfield assignment (written, group, mark 0,1), weight 10

The amount of contact hours differs from week to week.

Capacity/waiting list:
Maximum of 30 students. If there are too few applications, the minor will not take place.