Hey fam! Today’s feature is in partnership with The Green Fix, a climate newsletter dedicated to Europe, run by Cass Hebron. Cass and I have been fans of each other’s work for some time, and we’re excited to collaborate on a story about the world’s first master’s program in degrowth.
In 2018, a leading university in Spain, known for training graduates in a variety of fields, launched a groundbreaking master’s program in degrowth. Degrowth is a movement advocating for the intentional scaling down of overdeveloped economies, focusing on well-being, sustainability, and meeting basic needs without excessive resource extraction. The concept has been gaining traction in Europe, where it originated, especially as a way to address climate change by consuming and producing less.
The master’s program, along with an online version started in 2021, has produced hundreds of graduates. But what does it mean to prepare individuals for a career that challenges the traditional idea of careers? And what happens when graduates of a system-reimagining program enter the system they are trying to change?
The Autonomous University of Barcelona offers this unique degree in political ecology, degrowth, and environmental justice, led by Giorgos Kallis, a prominent figure in the degrowth field. The curriculum includes theoretical classes in degrowth, environmental justice, and alternative economics, as well as practical skills like group facilitation and social justice campaigning.
The program aims to prepare students for roles in policy and advocacy, the cooperative economy, or research. Graduates like Adélaide Cadioux from France and Valerie Costa from the U.S. found solace in the program, which provided a space for values-aligned learning and alternative career paths.
Post-graduation, students like Emilie de Bassompierre from Belgium are navigating the balance between their values and financial needs. De Bassompierre aims to pursue a career in climate justice while maintaining a focus on personal happiness and activism.
Overall, graduates are exploring how to integrate degrowth principles into their lives and work, advocating for more sustainable, community-centered futures in a world still grappling with the concept of degrowth.
