Located on Unter den linden Avenue in downtown Berlin of Germany, Humboldt University as the Father of Modern University was established under the new system, enjoying lasting history and profound impact worldwide. Belin as the largest city of Germany is in the northeast of the country, surrounded by Brandenburg with the Spree River and the Harvel River running through the city. Belin is one of the three Stadtstaat in Germany and boasts lasting historical, cultural, political, communication and science traditions. As the hub of air transportation and railway transportation across continental Europe, Berlin embraces a large number of visitors. Famous landmarks here include the Brandenburg Gate, the Museum Island, the Unter den linden Avenue, the Berliner Dom, the Alexanderplatz, the Potsdamer Platz and the Berliner Mauer.

Co-designed by the School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University and the WINS Workshop of Humboldt University, Resource Environment and National Governance works to evaluate the roles of institutions in modern society from the perspective of resource management and national development. By comparing cases between China and Germany or EU, students would acquire hands-on competence to interpret resource and environmental issues and conduct institutional analysis.

1. Introduction

Why do not environmental policies worldwide work out as predicted? Would government subsidies lead to ecological agriculture? What are the factors that impact the performance of pollution quota and quota transaction policies in Europe? Where do the opportunities and challenges that affect the transformation towards new energies in Europe lie? How do the decentralization system and local self-governance work with natural resource management?

This Program not only answers questions above but the related issue that has attracted worldwide attention, i.e. what’s the role of institutions in natural resource management. Therefore, the teaching scheme not only sorts out analysis theories of mainstream institutions but includes practices of the agricultural, energy, water resource and environmental protection departments for case analysis. Teaching modes include classroom lectures, group discussions and field investigations so as to make sure that students develop a better understanding of topic and acquisition of knowledge.

2. Aims

After finishing the program, students would acquire basic knowledge on mainstream institution analysis, get familiar with related governance theories, understand European policies on environment and resource management with acquired institution analysis skills and learn about how European policies on agriculture, carbon emission, renewable energy generation and water resource management are formulated and implemented.

3. Modes

The Program would be organized in formats of theme lectures and group discussions offered and guided by veteran professors, field investigations of departments and projects in relation to agriculture, energies, climate change and ecological protection, and practice briefing by officers and experts from related sectors.

4. Tasks

The learning tasks are divided into two parts.

Part I is composed of class lectures and case introduction. The professors would lecture institution analysis theories by introducing core theories on institutional economics and political, economic and policy cases that are related to the core theories. Students would receive a series of classic reading materials in addition to the courseware so as to better understand the knowledge imparted during the classes. Each theme would be elaborated with a related policy case implemented in Europe.

Part II is composed of field investigations and group discussions based on theory and case instructions. Officers and workers from related government bodies, think tanks and specific programs would brief the organization, operation and supervision of the investigation objects and communicate with students. Group discussions provide students with the opportunities to apply theories into practices. Students would discuss and report on related themes in group. Group members would share ideas so as to deepen understanding of theories and practices.