MA in Environment, Development, and Peace with Specialization in Sustainable Food Systems

The Master of Arts Degree in Environment, Development, and Peace (EDP) provides comprehensive training in issues of sustainable development, environmental governance, natural resource management, and environmental conflict management from both ecological and social perspectives. It encompasses a broad range of subjects and themes, including Food Systems, Water Management, Forestry, Coastal Resources, Climate Change, Urban Ecology, and Social Movements. The program focuses on the human dimensions of the environment-development nexus, highlighting the connections between local perspectives and broader processes at the national, regional, and global levels and emphasizing the importance of political-economic structures and inequality in access to resources as key drivers in environmental conflict and global environmental change. The program prepares students for a wide range of careers in both environmental and development policy and programming in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Sustainable Food Systems

Sustainable food production and consumption are central to environmental sustainability, human health, and climate change adaptation. Sustainable food systems specialization students will acquire the skills and knowledge linked to sustainable agriculture and food security both in theory as well as through visits to local communities and work on the UPEACE organic farm. Specifically, students of this specialization will take the following courses as part of their degree program: Sustainable Agriculture; Food Security; Climate Adaptation & Justice or Climate Governance.

Student Body

The University for Peace is characterized by its diversity and multiculturalism. For 2020-2021, we have 102 students from 38 countries. As a result, our campus is always full of student activities, most of them organized by the students themselves. In past years, we have had yoga classes, conversation classes in different languages, the celebration of cultural nights (Asian night, Latin night, European night, etc.), as well as institutional activities open to students (Zumba classes, academic "brown bag" lunches, etc.) The current situation has forced students to become more creative with regards to socializing and ensuring a rich student life at UPEACE.