Previous Courses
Over 20 years of UEF-UNEP Cooperation
This unique course has a wonderful history of capacity building collaboration between UEF and UNEP, along with other partners along the way. Below is a brief history of the MEA Course.
- May 2003. Dr. Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and Dr. Perttu Vartiainen, Rector of the University of Eastern Finland, sign a cooperation agreement designating the former University of Joensuu as a UNEP partner university.
- August – September 2004. The first course on international environmental law and diplomacy is held in Joensuu.
- January 2010. The University of Joensuu and the University of Kuopio (Finland) merge to form the University of Eastern Finland (UEF).
- August 2010. UNEP and UEF renew their agreement by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
- August 2013. The course celebrates its tenth anniversary. The course is usually held between June and November and lasts two weeks. In addition to general international environmental law, each course has had a specific theme.
- 2020-2023. Due to the global covid-19 pandemic, the annual course is paused with one course held online in 2021.
- May 2024. The Course celebrated 20 years of collaboration between UNEP and UEF with a special edition Course in Helsinki, Finland.
27 May to 6 June 2024, Helsinki, Finland
Special theme: Taking Stock of Multilateral Environmental Agreements and the Way Forward
The eighteenth course was held in 27 May – 6 June 2024 at multiple venues in Helsinki, Finland, including at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Environment and University of Helsinki. The course was attended by 28 participants from 21 countries, as well as faculty and resource persons from around the world. The total number of applications for the course was 250.
September to December 2021, online
Special theme: The Post-2020 Biodiversity Agenda
The eighteenth course was held remotely online due to the global covid-19 pandemic. Lectures for the special theme were broadcasted and recorded publicly as a webinar series. The course was attended by 33 participants from 29 countries, as well as faculty and resource persons from around the world. The total number of applications for the course was 190.
14 October to 24 October 2019, Siena, Italy
Special theme: Emerging Issues in International Environmental Law
The sixteenth course was held in October, 14-24 October 2019 at the University of Siena, Siena, Italy. The course was attended by 29 participants from 25 countries, as well as faculty and resource persons from around the world. The total number of registrations for the course was 280.
20 August to 30 August 2018 Joensuu, Finland
Special theme: The Environment and Human Rights
The fifteenth course was held in August, from 20 to 30 August 2018, at the University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu campus, Finland. The course was attended by 33 participants from 29 countries, as well as faculty and resource persons from around the world. The total number of registrations for the course was 250.
9 October to 19 October 2017 Chambéry, France and Geneve, Switzerland
Special theme: Trade and Environment
The fourteenth course was held in October, 9-19 October 2017 at the Château des Comtes de Challes, Chambéry, France and at the International Environment House, Geneva, Switzerland. The course was attended by 25 participants from 23 countries, as well as faculty and resource persons from around the world. A total of 500 applications were received for the course.
21 November to 1 December 2016 University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu campus, Joensuu, Finland
Special theme: Effectiveness of Multilateral Environmental Agreements
The Thirteenth Course was held in November – December, 21.11.-1.12.2016 at the University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu Campus, Joensuu, Finland. There were 29 participants from 24 countries attending the course as well as lecturers and resource persons around the world. The total amount of applications to the course was 230.
2 to 12 November 2015 Nordic Centre Fudan University, in cooperation of Fudan University Law School and UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development / Tongji University, Shanghai, China
Special theme: Climate Change
The Twelfth Course was held in November 2-12 at the Nordic Centre Fudan University, Shanghai, China. The course was hosted by Fudan Nordic Centre in cooperation with Fudan University Law School and UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development,
There were 22 participants from 22 countries attending the course, as well as lecturers and resource persons around the world. The total amount of applications to the course was over 270.
20 to 30 October 2014 University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu Campus, Joensuu, Finland
Special theme: Environmental Security
The Eleventh Course was held in October, 20.10. – 30.10.2014 at the University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu Campus, Joensuu, Finland. There were 31 participants from 23 countries attending the course, as well as lecturers and resource persons around the world. The total amount of applications to the course was over 190.
4 to 16 August 2013 University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu Campus, Joensuu, Finland
Special theme: Natural Resources
The Tenth Anniversary Course was held in August, 4.8. – 16.8.2013 at the University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu Campus, Joensuu, Finland. There were 22 participants as well as 7 alumni participants from 22 countries attending the course, as well as lecturers and resource persons around the world. The total amount of applications to the course was around 80.
19 to 31 August 2012 Grenada Grand Beach resort, St. George’s, Grenada
Special theme: Ocean Governance
The Ninth Annual Course was held in August, 19.8. – 31.8.2012 at the Grenada Grand Beach resort, St. George’s, Grenada. There were 25 participants from 17 countries attending the course, as well as lecturers and resource persons around the world. The total amount of applications to the course was around 160.
4 to 16 September 2011 Bangkok, Thailand
Special theme: Synergies among the biodiversity-related conventions
The Eighth Annual Course was held in September, 4.9. – 16.9.2011 at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand. There were 32 participants from 26 countries attending the course, as well as lecturers and resource persons around the world. The total amount of applications to the course was around 250.
15 to 27 August 2010, Joensuu, Finland
Special theme: Climate Change
The Seventh Annual Course was held in August, 15.8. – 27.8.2010 at the University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu campus, Finland. There were 32 participants from 22 countries attending the course, as well as lecturers and resource persons around the world. The total amount of applications to the course was around 250.
28 June to 10 July 2009, UNEP Headquarters and Naivasha, Kenya
Special theme: Environmental Governance
The Sixth Annual Course was held in June/July 2009 28.6. – 10.7.2009 at the UNEP Headquarters, Nairobi and Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, Kenya. There were 28 participants from 22 countries attending the course, as well as lecturers and resource persons around the world. The total amount of applications to the course was around 150.
29 of June to 11 July 2008, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Special theme: Oceans
The Fifth Annual Course was held in June/July 2008 (29.6 – 11.7.2008) at the at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. There were 32 participants from 25 countries. The participants were selected from total amount of 100 applicants from 47 countries.
12 to 24 August 2007, Joensuu, Finland
Special theme: Chemicals
The Fourth Annual Course was held in August 2007 (12. – 24.8.2007) at the University of Joensuu, in Finland. There were 37 participants from 26 countries. The participants were selected from total amount of 97 applicants from 48 countries.
26 June and 7 July 2006 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Special theme: Biodiversity
The Third Annual Course was held in June/July 2006 (26.6. – 7.7.2006) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. There were 32 participants from 27 countries. The participants were selected from total amount of 188 applicants from 57 countries.
14 and 26 August 2005, Joensuu, Finland
Special theme: Forests
The Second Annual Course was held in August 2005 (14. – 26.8.2005) at the University of Joensuu. There were 47 participants selected from 210 applications from 81 countries for the course of 2005.
22 August to 3 September 2004, Joensuu, Finland
Special theme: Waters
The First Annual Course was held in August/September 2004 (22.8. – 3.9.2004) at the University of Joensuu. There were 36 participants from 28 countries. The participants were selected from total amount of 165 applicants from 64 countries.