APRU Certificate in Global Climate Change Leadership

APRU Certificate in Global Climate Change Leadership 2026

Experience what it’s like to be a delegate at the United Nations Climate Negotiations

Acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which Monash University campuses stand on and paying respects to their Elders past and present.

The School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and the Health and Climate Initiative are pleased to offer six SPHPM students the opportunity to participate in the Certificate in Global Climate Change Leadership 2026 run by the Association for Pacific Rim Universities (APRU).

The APRU Student Global Climate Change Simulation is co-organized by APRU Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Program housed at the University of Oregon and APRU Global Health Program housed at the University of Southern California.

Want to collaborate with an international network of students from 25+ universities across the globe in a mock UN Climate Negotiations simulation? This one may be for you!

Section 1 – What is the GCC Simulation / what will you experience?

  • Role-playing exercise in which you’ll form multi-country, multi-disciplinary teams to play the role of delegates to the UN Climate Change Negotiations.
  • Students will be assigned to international teams (students from various universities) representing one of six economies/regions.
  • Over four sessions, students participate in an online simulation activity using materials developed by the World Climate Interactive and the C-ROADS simulation model.
  • Live sessions, short lectures and resources developed and curated by APRU experts.

Section 2 – Why should you participate?

The APRU Certificate in Global Climate Change Leadership 2026 is a unique opportunity to experience what it’s like to take part in a simulated UN Climate Negotiation. Teams will discuss the human and environmental effects of climate change as well as the economic impacts that countries/regions consider when determining their position and global commitments.

Not only will you get the chance to network with other students across the Asia Pacific and the Americas, you’ll also get to learn from global experts on the topics such as Indigenous Knowledge, Planetary Health, Costal Habitats, Deforestation, Clean Energy, Trading & Offsets, and Diplomacy & Negotiations.

Section 3 – What’s involved?

Over the course of four sessions (Fridays from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm AEST, from August 21-September 11, 2026), activities include:

  • Asynchronous individual & group work
  • Student team activities and discussion
  • Short lectures and live simulations with world-renowned experts

Students will be assigned to international teams (with other students from various universities). Teams will be assigned to one of six countries or regions. Over four rounds of discussions and negotiations, teams will participate in breakout rooms facilitated by international experts in climate science.

Section 4 – What will you learn from this?

Upon completion, you will be able to:

  • Describe what contributes to climate change, and its impact on planetary health;
  • Explain global climate change efforts, such as the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC), and the Conference of Parties (COP);
  • Explain how/why climate change affects the most vulnerable populations and why it is an issue of social justice;
  • Identify adaptation and mitigation strategies and which will have the most impact on global temperatures;
  • Practice global teamwork and cross-cultural collaboration and communication skills;
  • Discuss the complexity involved in countries’ decisions, including consideration of factors such as economic impact and negotiating power; and
  • Describe the challenges of negotiations among countries on climate change and the importance of global collaboration.

Section 5 – Dates and Commitment

DAY 1: Opening ceremony – Friday, August 21, 2026 11:00 am – 1:30 pm AEST

DAY 2: Delegation Group Meetings – Friday, August 28, 2026 11:00 am – 1:30 pm AEST

DAY 3: 1st Negotiations – Friday, September 4, 2026 11:00 am – 1:30 pm AEST

DAY 4: 2nd Negotiations – Friday, September 11, 2026 11:00 am – 1:30 pm AEST

Section 6 – Who can apply?

Applications to this event are open to all current Monash students who are:

  • Second- or third-year undergraduate
  • Postgraduate and PhD

Applicants with an average academic grade of Credit or higher will be considered.

To ensure equity, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander applicants will be prioritised. No prior knowledge of climate change and international UN negotiations is required.

Section 7 – Do students have to pay?

Good news, Monash University and the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (SPHPM) are offering six fully sponsored places to students (five students from SPHPM teaching affiliated courses and five from all other faculties). There will be no cost for the successful students to participate in this event.

Section 8 – Certificate of Completion

Each student will receive a Certificate of Completion following the event.

Section 9 – How do I apply?

Internal applications are now open and will close on 1 May 2026 at 11:59 PM AEST.

Access the Application Google Form here.

Section 10 – Contact us and further resources

Have any concerns or questions? Please contact David Sweeting at david.sweeting@monash.edu

To learn more about the APRU Certificate in Global Climate Change Leadership 2026, visit apru.org/event/apru-certificate-in-global-climate-change-leadership-2026