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Sustainable Development [practice]

Course developers

Prior knowledge

Ekon2119, Regional Economics

Ekon3142, Bioeconomics

Ekon3143, Innovation for Sustainability

Ekon3144, Sustainable Development and the Circular Economy

Ekon3145, Performance of Local Governments

VidZ3047, Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development

Course abstract

The aim of the traineeship is to consolidate theoretical knowledge and relevant competences in the field of economic and territorial sustainable development by building up practical skills, as well as to give the students an opportunity to obtain necessary information for their bachelor theses to be produced.
During the traineeship, students consolidate their theoretical knowledge acquired during their studies as well as master their competencies as prescribed by the curriculum, build up practical skills in solving sustainable development problems for public or private sector organizations. The traineeship is organized and implemented in accordance with the traineeship programme given to the student. During the traineeship, students have an opportunity to collect information necessary for producing their bachelor theses.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will be able to:
Knowledge:
1. demonstrate the knowledge of the performance of the hosting organization, the role of the organization in solving sustainability problems – Practical training report, a reference of the work placement supervisor, the presentation of the report
Skills:
1. Combine the theoretical knowledge of sustainable development with practical tasks to participate in daily routine and in solving problems at the hosting organization – Practical training report, a reference of the work placement supervisor, the presentation of the report
2. Analyse, compare and assess various processes related to sustainable development, identify possibilities for their improvement – Practical training report, a reference of the work placement supervisor, the presentation of the report
3. Perform and take responsibility for the tasks assigned during the traineeship – Reference of the work placement supervisor regarding the tasks performed
4. Cooperate with hosting organization personnel – Reference of the work placement supervisor
5. Explain and present the results of their own work to others – Presentation of the training report
Competence:
1. Independently analyse, assess, discuss as well as solve problems in the field of sustainable development, performing practical tasks individually and in a team – Practical training report, a reference of the work placement supervisor, the presentation of the report
2. Independently focus their own activity on their competence development – Practical training report

Course Content(Calendar)

Full-time studies:
1. Supplementing the theoretical knowledge acquired in the specialization Sustainable Economy and Territorial Development with practical working skills.
2. Getting acquainted with the hosting organisation, identifying the role of the organisation in the context of territorial development and performing the tasks assigned responsibly.
3. Getting familiarised with work organization at and the structure of the hosting organisation, the responsibilities and competences of the personnel as well as the goal and objectives of the organisation in the context of territorial development.
4. Assessing strategic documents, making practical recommendations for operational improvement and enhancement of the hosting organisation.
5. Implementing the individual traineeship programme and performing the responsibilities defined in the trainee appointment letter.
6. Performing the tasks given to the trainee by the work placement supervisor.
7. Participating in discussions and meetings that are open and held at the hosting organisation.
8. Collecting and processing information, analysing and systematising it for a bachelor thesis.
9. Preparing and submitting a practical training report.
10. Presenting the practical training report.

Part-time extramural studies:
All the topics intended for full-time studies are covered.

Requirements for awarding credit points

The duration of the traineeship is 8 weeks. During the traineeship, the student prepares a traineeship report according to the traineeship programme. The traineeship report is 15-20 pages in length. The traineeship report must be drawn up in accordance with the LBTU ESAF Guidelines for Writing and Defending Study Projects. An instructional aid for students of the academic bachelor programme Economics delivered by the Faculty of Economics and Social Development. The traineeship report must be submitted to the traineeship supervisor appointed by the institute before the date indicated by the EKFI institute. The completed trainee appointment form with a formally approved reference of the work placement supervisor about the work performed during the traineeship is attached to the traineeship report. The traineeship report is defended at the EKFI institute before a committee appointed by the institute. To defend the traineeship report, the student prepares a presentation (PowerPoint) and reports on the tasks performed during the traineeship within 5-7 minutes.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The traineeship involves independently organized activities, which include 336 hours of independent work, at an appropriate hosting organization and in accordance with the tasks specified in the trainee appointment form.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The traineeship is evaluated on a 10-point marking scale. The lowest passing mark is 4 (almost average). The evaluation is carried out by a traineeship defence committee, based on the content of the traineeship report, the results of the defence and a reference of the work placement supervisor.

Compulsory reading

1. Latvijas ilgtspējīgas attīstības stratēģija, Latvija – 2030. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 27.02.2023] Pieejams: https://www.pkc.gov.lv/sites/default/files/inline-files/Latvija_2030_6.pdf
2. Latvijas Nacionālais attīstības plāns 2021.–2027. gadam. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 27.02.2023] Pieejams: https://www.pkc.gov.lv/sites/default/files/inline-files/NAP2027_apstiprin%C4%81ts%20Saeim%C4%81_1.pdf
3. LR likums “Reģionālās attīstības likums”. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 27.02.2023] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/61002-regionalas-attistibas-likums
4. LR likums “Teritorijas attīstības plānošanas likums”. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 27.02.2023] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/238807-teritorijas-attistibas-planosanas-likums
5. LR likums “Pašvaldību likums”. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 27.02.2023] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/336956-pasvaldibu-likums
6. Sustainable Development Goals. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 27.02.2023] Pieejams: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

Further reading

1. Klimats un ilgtspējīga attīstība. M.Kļaviņa, J.Zaļokšņa red. Rīga: LU akadēmiskais apgāds, 2016. 384 lpp.
Tiešsaistē PRIMO https://www.zalabriviba.lv/wp-content/uploads/Klimats-un-ilgtsp%C4%93j%C4%ABga-att%C4%ABst%C4%ABba.pdf
OECD (2019) Innovation, Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability in Latvia. OECD Food and Agricultural Reviews,. OECD Publishing. Paris, 2019.
Pieejams:
https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/agriculture-and-food/innovation-agricultural-productivity-and-sustainability-in-latvia_9789264312524-en#page1
2. Latvijas spēks ilgi pastāvēt. B.Rivžas red. Rīga: LZA un LLU, 2022. 480 lpp.
3. Vietējo pašvaldību plānojumi. Pieejams: https://geolatvija.lv/geo/ tapis?fbclid=IwAR01xoA3g0oWGf5 Nxdd49ZvjQxk7z2ETjpld8PdLK40aJYO_4hplfOp5HbI

Periodicals and other sources

1. Dienas Bizness: nedēļas laikraksts: Latvijas Biznesa avīze. Rīga: Diena: Dagens Industri, ISSN 1407-2041
2. Kapitāls: žurnāls lietišķiem cilvēkiem: krāsains biznesa un ekonomikas žurnāls. Rīga: Lietišķās informācijas dienests, 1998. ISSN 1407-2041

Notes

Practice (Part B) for the ESAF academic bachelor programme Economics, specialization Sustainable Economy and Territorial Development