Next entry to the MAS in Regenerative System: CAS#1 in its 2nd iteration

The first Certificate of Advanced Studies “CAS ETH in Regenerative Systems: Sustainability to Regeneration” is offered in its 2nd iteration: Application period is 2-30 June 2025

From global crises to local interventions, from conscious worldviews to learning to unlearn sustainability

CAS#1 embarks with an update on the current state of science about the nestedness of global crises, and opens pathways to engage in (local) interventions for taking a constructive, designerly approach to deal with uncertainty. We look deep into the science of sustainability and find the origins of the term and concept sustainability rooted in regeneration, which we explore as the expression of life. It is an invite to learn to unlearn what we may think we know, to open up new learning paths toward a deep understanding of regeneration, and of resilience.

That worldviews exist and that we argue from our own worldviews, that the dominance of Western worldviews shape how we try to deal with crises, is a next entry door to expand our awareness of different ways of knowing and reasoning.

Reframing complexity, design as nature, mind & movement

We learn how to reframe complexity as opposed to simplifying it, and explore methods and tools of systems thinking, of science, of relational data and tacit knowledge, and question the role of artificial intelligence for regeneration and resilience. Design as nature centers us humans as being nature, and explores design practices from permaculture to deep ecology, to regenerative economies.

The six modules close with understanding why mental and physical movement matter, how we can instrumentalize sensations of flow to enact uncertainty and build the inner capacity of organic emergence.

Field design trip to the MonViso Institute in the Italian Alps

After a virtual course warm-up with first live conversations with invited experts, and the initiation of each participant’s personal QUEST project as the learning navigation spine, we embark on the physical core of this CAS – the in-person field design trip. The whole CAS cohort – maximum size 20 participants – meets for a one-week real-world immersion trip to the High Po River Valley bioregion, hosted by the MonViso Institute, a living systems lab and the ETH partner in offering the DRRS program.

We will discover regenerative practices across systems types and governance scales, we will physically engage in the MVI campus experimentations, host a public dialogue event with the Ostana village community, and embark on a multi-day Systemic Cycles bike-packing tour down the Po river and across the fruit and vineyards of the land at the foot of Monte Viso, practicing to weave bioregional relations.

Application period: 02.06.- 30.06.2025
Start: 9 September 2025 (virtual)
Duration: 5 months part-time, with virtual teachings (mainly virtual evening live conversations and methods practices) until end of January ’26, with a final CAS deliverable until mid-February ’26. Brakes are included 6.-10.10., 3.-7.11., 5.12.-7.1.26. This CAS’ flexible program schedule can be combined with a full job and family life.
Credit points: 12 ECTS. Field design trip: 26.09.–05.10.2025 to the Italian Alps near Turin

Apply for this CAS ETH in Sustainability to Regeneration – standalone or as part of the MAS in Regenerative Systems – at the ETH School of Continuing Education between 2-30 June 2025, here.