| Title | United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme in Iceland: Training Activities Abroad |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ingimar G. HARALDSSON, LúdvÃk S. GEORGSSON, MálfrÃdur ÓMARSDÓTTIR |
| Year | 2020 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | geothermal, capacity building, training, workshops, short courses, SDGs, developing countries |
| Abstract | Since 2005, the United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP) has conducted and collaborated on varied training activities outside of Iceland. A Short Course series supporting the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on Surface Exploration for Geothermal Resources was started in 2005 in Kenya to benefit African countries. A similar series was started in 2006 in El Salvador to benefit Latin American and Caribbean countries, where the topics change each year. A workshop for decision makers on direct use of geothermal resources was held in China in 2008 for Asian countries. The Short Course series in Kenya and El Salvador were overhauled in 2016 in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A total of 1449 participants benefitted from the 26 Short Courses and Workshops dedicated to the UN Development Goals over the period 2005-2018. Since 2010, UNU-GTP has offered tailored training on demand. These trainings have varied in topics, target groups and duration. Forty three workshops, short courses and extended training programmes have been conducted in four continents at the end of 2018, benefitting 922 participants. Since 2013 UNU-GTP has contributed to a geothermal Diploma Course run within the academic framework of the University of El Salvador, first in an assessment and advisory role (2013-2015) and later as an implementing partner (2016-2018). The programme has greatly increased the possibilities for aspiring Latin American geothermal professionals to obtain dedicated training in the geothermal disciplines in their native tongue. Likewise, the African Geothermal Centre of Excellence (AGCE) has been gaining momentum in recent years. UNU-GTP has had an advisory role in its conceptualization and conducted one of two opening short courses under the interim phase in cooperation with local partners in 2017. The annual SDG Short Courses in Kenya may become an integral component of the AGCE. The impact of UNU-GTP training abroad is evaluated in terms of scale (participant days) and an elementary theory of change is presented. In line with its gender equality policy, UNU-GTP has a positive impact on the participation of women in developing countries’ geothermal sector through its gender balanced candidate selection. |