The European Union and Spain in the Global World: Public Policies and Politics for the Sustainable Development Goals. Policies to transform our societies

In recent years, main priorities in global agendas have dramatically changed. Green and digital transitions, rising populisms, increasing inequalities, the recovery from Covid-19 pandemic and, more recently, the re-emergence of territorial conflicts have become among the most urgent issues. These global challenges have indeed revived the debate on the urgent need for improving global governance mechanisms and coordination among governments, actors and civil society. In Europe and in Spain – one of the most affected areas from the recent crises - policy-makers and stakeholders have embraced the 2030 Agenda as an opportunity to transform public policies and politics to achieve human and sustainable development.

This course aims at providing a critical overview on these current challenges at the transnational, regional and national level. The course will provide insights on how Europe (the EU, in particular) and Spain have answered to social inequalities, global pandemic pressures, gender inequality, migrations, nationalism(s), climate change and sustainability. Some of the questions will deal with: a) how governments can provide adequate answers and effective policies to citizens internationally, domestically and locally; b) how Covid-19 crisis (and wars) have impacted on already existing strategies and global Agenda (Agenda 2030, Habitat III, etc..).

By applying a plural and transdisciplinary approach, the course combines analytical tools and categories stemming from political science, international relations, economics, European Integration studies, public policies analysis and development economics. The course focusses on the analysis and the understanding of how political and societal actors do play a role in the definition and implementation of public policies. By providing critical tools for understanding complex phenomena (such as the European integration process,the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the challenges of global governance, etc…) the course aims at preparing students as informed citizens and lifelong learners who care and act for the future of the planet and humanity.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the course, the student:
✔ will have acquired survey knowledge of the main aspects of policy making and politics in Europe and Spain
✔ will have received an introduction to the basic elements of the European Union, the Spanish political system, Spanish public attitude and public policies
✔ will be familiar with the key issues that national states and contemporary society will face in the next years
✔ will have improved their knowledge regarding the multidimensional impact of the COVID-19 crisis on citizens’ well-being
✔ will have improved their knowledge regarding the 2030 Agenda and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)