On small islands the connection between people and the sea is very strong. Problems are clearly present and the coast and sea inescapable. How do you keep economic advantage on islands when talking about recreation and tourism? Rising sea levels, depletion of corals, rising frequency of natural disasters are big challenges islands have to cope with.

In the first 9 weeks of the minor you will be immersed into sustainable island management from a people, planet, profit point of view through e.g. workshops and interactive lectures. You are encouraged and expected to read and analyse relevant scientific literature and will be actively involved in discussions. A diverse set of cases will be presented to you covering threats, challenges, opportunities and solutions small islands have to cope with. Several exams are included in this module to assess your obtained skills and knowledge. All of this will prepare you for a project on sustainable island management that you will have to carry out for a real client. The minor consists of a 2-week during fieldtrip whereby you can choose between the Dutch Caribbean or an island closer to home like a Wadden island. A maximum of 10 students can participate in the excursion to the Caribbean (based on first come first serve and signing up for the excursion means that you will have to participate). Additional costs apply for both fieldtrip options. The projects are either ecological or socio-economical. You will also have to write down its significance for the local community.

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.

None, although some background in ecology and economy will be very useful.

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

Interactive lectures, excursions, seminars, discussions, workshops, fieldwork:
Lectures 100 sbu
Discussions 100 sbu
Seminars 60 sbu
Self-study 210 sbu
Excursion 140 sbu
Workshops 70 sbu
Fieldwork 160 sbu

Ecology exam (written, individual, mark 0,1), Weight 5
Socio-economy exam (written, individual, mark 0,1), Weight 5
Poster Pitch (oral, individual, mark 0,1 ), Weight 2
Island report (written, group, mark 0,1), Weight 5
Preparation & evaluation (written, individual, mark 0,1), Weight 3
Workfield assignment (written, group, mark 0,1), Weight 10

The amount of contact hours differs from week to week.