UNWTO Themis Foundation

In 2009, the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Themis Foundation commissioned our team to develop and deliver the first English version of the university course on Tourism and International Cooperation. Previously delivered in Spanish, the need to expand the scope and reach of the programme was behind the initiative to roll out an English version.

The overall aim of this initiative was to facilitate research and knowledge exchange, capacity building and community development between participants from ten different countries on aspects associated with the tourism and international cooperation for development debate and the evolving sustainable development agenda.

Innovative activities to engage students in applied research were developed, including online material based on problem-solving scenarios, discussion boards, group tasks and fieldwork stimulating cross-cultural exchanges and debates. High-profile guest speakers from international institutions, such as the World Bank and the Overseas Development Institute added considerable value to the participants’ learning.