Wicked Problems, Dynamic Solutions: The Ecosystem Approach and Systems Thinking

UN Environment in collaboration with Concordia University, KnowledgeOne and EcoHealth Alliance, is opening a new Massive On-line Open Course (MOOC) on “Wicked Problems, Dynamic Solutions: The Ecosystem Approach and Systems Thinking".

Many problems we face today involve interdependent structures, multiple actors, and are at least partly the result of past actions. Such problems are extremely difficult to tackle and conventional solutions have very often led to unintended consequences.

Finding answers to current crises such as fisheries collapse, climate change, biodiversity loss, infectious diseases, and inequitable access to resources will be amongst the greatest challenges of our time. The ecosystem approach applies systems thinking to gain a better understanding of how ecosystems function. It can help us identify potential solutions to a myriad of problems inspired in part by the complex dynamics of ecosystems themselves.

This 6-week (40 hours) course is first MOOC focusing on the ecosystem approach and systems thinking. It will enhance your knowledge of the basic features of ecosystems; the ecosystem approach and systems thinking from an interdisciplinary perspective; give you an understanding of the distinction between reductionist and holistic thinking; and enhance your capacity of the inter-relationships between ecosystems and human systems.

Join the conversation on social media: Use the hashtag #EcosystemsMOOC to join and contribute to social media conversations about this course.