The Club of Rome Academy

Summary

In 2006, The Club of Rome committed to set up the Club of Rome Academy in order to provide young leaders with hope, perspectives and key tools to contribute to the long-term development and sustainable improvement of global living conditions.
By 2008, the project had set up the scientific framework to find the right partners.

Approach

To set up the Club of Rome Academy in order to provide young leaders with hope, perspectives and key tools to contribute to the long-term development and sustainable improvement of global living conditions in keeping with the best spirit of the Club of Rome.
The Academy aims to provide a training programme for emerging young leaders. The core element of this leadership programme will consist of two, four day intensive working sessions per year. It is envisaged that the working sessions for participants of the Academy will take place in the facilities of Club of Rome partners (University Institutes, Research and Training Centers etc.) throughout the world. Seminars and workshops will be taught by members of the Club of Rome and prominent external lecturers. The Academy is intended to contribute to a broader discussion of future issues among leaders, the media and the general public.
The participants of the Club of Rome Academy will be professionals who are about to take over significant leadership positions in their field of action. They will be selected by the Faculty of the Club of Rome Academy. The applicants will range from the fields of business, politics, research, education and media. Typically, they are between 30 and 40 years old. One third of the participants will come from the industrialised world, two thirds will come from developing countries.
After the successful completion of this two-year programme the Club of Rome will award an academic degree to the Academy’s participants to recognize their commitment and acquired knowledge. Graduates will be invited to further participate in the programme as Alumni in order to ensure the long-term impact of the Academy.
In order to ensure the quality and impact of the programme, the Club of Rome will actively use its existing network and seek partnerships with other organisations and leadership programmes. The Club of Rome Academy will also aim to exchange lecturers and students with other organisations.
TIMELINE
1st phase (Oct 06- Jul 07): Preparation phase: Secure adequate funding. Negotiate with potential partners. Employ a project coordinator. Prepare modules and content.
First Milestone (Jan 07): Launch of the web portal. The wider public and the media will be informed about the programme.
2nd phase (starting Sept 07): Implementation phase: Applications for the programme will be invited. The Academy’s first session is intended to take place in late 2007 with 20 participants.
– Secured support from several high-ranking representatives from the education sector, such as: Heitor Gurgulino da Souza, Brazil, Secretary-General, International Association of University Presidents and Martin Lees, Rector Emeritus of the United Nations-mandated University for Peace, Costa Rica.
– Launched a web portal to inform the media and wider public about the program (January 2007).
– Talks with potential donors and prospective partners (Universities, Scholarship granting institutions) are underway and expected to be finalized by September 2007.
– An administrative framework will be set up and ready to launch the Club of Rome Academy in 2008.

Background

In an increasingly interdependent world, future leaders will face ever more complex decision-making situations. On the other hand, their academic education often focuses on profound knowledge in a limited and highly specialized field of study. This constellation often leaves future leaders without sound knowledge of the inter-relationships between the economic, political, ecological and technological aspects in complex decision-making situations.
The Club of Rome has proven expertise as a think tank and advisor for holistic, long term issues going back more than 30 years. The Club of Rome is independent of any political, ideological or business interest. Up to date, the Club’s most well-known contribution to the global agenda has been ‘Limits to Growth’. This report focuses on the dilemma between seemingly unlimited resource consumption on a planet with only limited resources. With its future-oriented views and provoking scenarios, the report sold in more than 12 million copies in some 30 languages and established the reputation of the Club worldwide, particularly among opinion leaders and decision-makers. Since then, many other reports followed. The aim of the Club of Rome Academy is to transfer the Club’s knowledge to future leaders.
With the establishment of its Academy the Club of Rome takes another step to raise the younger generation’s awareness for the long-term improvement of human living conditions. The Club of Rome has already successfully established 25 Club of Rome Schools in Germany (elementary schools and high schools) which provide young people with thinking tools to recognize the interconnectedness of modern living environments and to act responsibly towards their fellows, their society and their environment. The Club of Rome Academy will build on this experience and take it to the global level for the leaders of tomorrow.

Progress Update

This commitment was reported unfulfilled.

Partnership Opportunities

The Club of Rome Academy is seeking:
1) $530,000US to run the unique ‘Academy’ education program for one year and provide young leaders from all over the world with knowledge and problem-solving skills from a holistic, long-term and global perspective;
2) $20,000US to launch a web-based communication platform which would serve to spread the word about the Club of Rome Academy and mobilize further support;
3) $60,000US to convene 20 young leaders from developing and developed countries to the two annual teaching sessions at two venues at different places in the world; and
4) $125,000US to hire a qualified program manager and a program assistant to ensure the overall quality management of the Club of Rome Academy.