History:
In 2002, faculty from the U.S. University of South Carolina’s School of the Environment and the German University of Siegen’s Institute of Corporate Environmental Management developed the International Environmental Management Education (IEME) Summer School. The IEME was established to educate university faculty and students on the importance of international management systems, such as the ISO 14001, and the European Eco-Audit and Management Scheme. The IEME Summer School assists international students in understanding the relationship of international management system standards in business planning, economic development, environmental protection and social well-being. Other areas studied include eco-efficiency, sustainability management, country cultures and regulatory requirements, managerial cost accounting and integration of these environmental management tools that benefit the implementation of an international management system. Students also review and develop environmental policies, identify environmental impacts and brainstorm solutions on how to reduce their university’s negative impact on the environment. The first IEME Summer School took place at the University of Siegen in 2004. Since that time the summer school has continued in the U.S., Germany, and Spain. In 2009 the IEME Summer School was awarded a three year grant from the European Union. The 2010 IEME Summer School will take place at Aalborg University in Denmark. The IEME Summer School will continue through the partnerships of international students and faculty supporting actions and accepting responsibility to continue a global sustainable development. Each year the summer school continues to attract more students and interest from universities interested in environmental management issues.