Climate Change and Security Challenges

Joint Lifelong Learning Programme – International Winter and Summer School

🌍 Why enrol in the Climate Change and Security Challenges programme?

Climate change is no longer solely an environmental issue: it shapes security, the economy, migration and international relations. This international winter and summer school provides interdisciplinary knowledge and practical tools for understanding and managing climate-related risks in professional settings.

🎓 What will you gain from participating?

Participants acquire practical competences in identifying and analysing climate-related security challenges and in making informed decisions in public administration, sustainable development, the economy and security policy. The programme combines lectures, workshops and field-based learning delivered in cooperation with leading experts. Upon successful completion, participants are awarded 6 ECTS credits in accordance with the applicable regulations and academic standards of the Dr Franjo Tuđman University of Defence and Security and the University of Zagreb.

🏛️ Who delivers the programme?

The seven-day programme is jointly delivered by the Dr Franjo Tuđman University of Defence and Security and the Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb, as an accredited joint lifelong learning programme. Cooperation between the two institutions ensures an interdisciplinary approach, high academic standards and the integration of security, social and development perspectives in the analysis of climate change.

📌 Where is the programme delivered?

The programme is delivered at academically distinguished locations, including the University of Zagreb Postgraduate Centre in Dubrovnik and the Dr Franjo Tuđman Campus. Participants have the opportunity to learn and exchange experience in an inspiring environment that brings together academic excellence, the Mediterranean setting and security studies.

Programme Content

The joint lifelong learning programme of the international winter and summer school Climate Change and Security Challenges responds to the growing societal need for education on the impact of climate change on the full range of security challenges affecting quality of life, relations within and between societies and states, and emerging geopolitical dynamics. The programme also provides insight into the relationship between climate change, individuals and society.

The programme aims to provide participants with knowledge and skills related to new approaches to understanding the links between climate change and the security challenges arising from it, with particular emphasis on society, international relations and the agricultural sector, which has already demonstrated considerable vulnerability to climate variability, including major damage caused by droughts, floods and hail.

Upon completion of the programme, participants will be able to understand the relationship between climate change and different dimensions of security, including food and drinking-water security, energy supply, competition for natural resources, natural hazards and extreme weather events, population migration and conflicts driven or intensified by climate change.

Key Programme Information

• Programme type: Joint lifelong learning programme – international winter and summer school
• Programme providers: Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb, and the Dr Franjo Tuđman University of Defence and Security
• Duration: 180 hours (58 hours of instruction and 122 hours of independent study)
• ECTS credits: 6 ECTS
• Recommended number of participants: 25 (minimum 10; maximum 25)
• Admission requirements: completion of a four-year secondary education programme (at least CROQF Level 4.2); B2-level English is required when the programme is delivered in English
• CROQF level: Level 6 (undergraduate level)
• Certificate: Certificate of Completion of the Joint Programme; a supplementary document is available upon request
• Programme status: Active

Programme Structure

The programme is normally offered twice a year, in winter and summer. It extends over seven weeks and consists of three phases:

• Preparatory phase – three weeks (21 days), comprising 62 hours of preparation based on online learning materials.
• Teaching phase – one week (7 days), comprising 58 hours of face-to-face teaching and field-based learning.
• Assessment phase – three weeks (21 days), devoted to examination preparation and examinations.

Programme Leadership