CDE - Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern

Info

Research and education for sustainable development

Geschichte

Research for sustainable development

The Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) is an interdisciplinary research centre of the University of Bern. CDE’s overarching goal is to produce and share knowledge for sustainable development in cooperation with partners in the global North and South.

CDE works to promote sustainable development and solve problems related to global environmental, social, and economic change. Together with partners in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, CDE conducts research to develop innovative concepts and solutions for the sustainable use of land and water resources. CDE also offers a range of services that are closely linked to research. These include consulting, teaching, and the development of geoinformation products (e.g. web-based decision-support tools and digital maps) for planners and decision-makers. One of CDE’s central concerns is to foster dialogue between science and society while contributing to global debates on sustainability and development. In line with the University’s mandate to promote sustainable development, CDE offers a bachelor’s-level minor and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in sustainable development. In addition, it advises all faculty members on how to integrate the topic of sustainable development into their courses. CDE coordinates the International Graduate School (IGS) North-South, a joint initiative of the universities of Bern, Basel, and Zurich, which was established in 2009 to succeed the 12-year NCCR North-South research programme. CDE employs a staff of about 80.