Spring 2004 Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program Alumni Newsletter College of Natural Resources

I am just back from a fascinating trip to St. Petersburg, Russia. David Zilberman and Bill Sonnenschein (Haas School Leadership expert) went too, and my husband joined for a few days as well. We were invited by Svetlana Chernikova and Stan Tkachenko (ELP 2003) of St. Petersburg St. University, to work with colleagues from 11 faculties to set up the Regional Environmental Leadership Center for Russia and the CIS Countries, based at St. Petersburg St. University (founded in 1703 by Peter the Great!). It was wonderful that Svetlana and Stan were able to interest professors and researchers from a wide range of disciplines to be interested in this endeavor and to think creatively about curriculum, teaching methods, and case studies relevant for the region. In fact, it was the first time ever that this type of interdisciplinary effort has happened at the University. We gave presentations, discussed the "where, whom, what and how" of the Center, including a "replication ELP course", targeted short courses for specific groups, and, eventually, a MSc program with Berkeley in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development. At the end we signed a formal "Letter of Intent" with the Vice-Rector for Research, which falls under the umbrella of a wider Letter of Cooperation between our Chancellor Berdahl (UC Berkeley) and the Rector at St. Petersburg. Now is the hard work of proposal writing, raising funds, and carrying out the first course in summer of 2005.