Summer Academy Preparation
Dear Summer Academy participant,
We are looking forward to having you at the Academy in Berlin. This page is specially created for you to prepare for your week with us.
Preparation before your trip
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Reading list
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Event information and travel tips
Preparation during the event
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Monday morning photo introduction
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Select your dinners
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Prepare for your free Wednesday afternoon (and evening)
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Select your Thursday elective topics
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Mesopartner books
Please read the practical event information and travel tips document before the Summer Academy.
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The Academy starts Sunday at 19:00 with an opening dinner and finishes Friday at around 15:30.
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As part of the learning experience, except Wednesday night, we will go on excursions every evening of the Academy.
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Video on how to use public transport in Berlin
Below is a checklist for preparing for the Academy:
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Ensure you have a valid visa
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Complete the online logistics questionnaire to ensure your accommodation booking is correct.
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The final payment is due 5 June 2023
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Upload your two photos for the first-day introduction (see explanation further down)
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Read the recommended reading material in preparation for the Academy.
During the event
The Academy has an extensive programme, and we would like you to benefit the most from the training. For you to prepare, we have listed some reading material below. Our most recent annual reflections provide comprehensive background reading for the academy. We recommend you read the first readings before the Academy. For the enthusiast, we have compiled further reading, which is optional.
Photo Introduction
To prepare for the Summer Academy, please send us two photos.
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The first photo should show you in a typical work situation, such as at your desk, in a training room, or the field.
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The second photo should show a favourite intervention you have been personally involved in (and can provide more details). Favourite can refer to success, impact, unique or novel tools and methods applied, a severe problem faced, great insights gained or something you are trying to understand better.
By doing so, we can use these photos during our group introduction on Monday morning to help everyone understand your work and environment. Additionally, the intervention photos will be used to propose a few case studies to facilitate learning during the Summer Academy by drawing on real examples from the field.
Please upload your photos by 21 June.
Dinner selection
We have planned an amazing evening programme for you. To ensure you get your dinners quickly, we have created preselection forms so you can select your dinners for the first two nights of the Academy.
You can review the restaurant website, view the menu, and indicate your meal selection here:
Monday dinner selection
Tuesday dinner selection
Dinner selection
We have planned an amazing evening programme for you. To ensure you get your dinners quickly, we have created preselection forms so you can select your dinners for the first two nights of the Academy.
You can review the restaurant website, view the menu, and indicate your meal selection here:
Monday dinner selection
Tuesday dinner selection
Travel Support
The Summer Academy will begin with an informal dinner on Sunday evening, 30 June, at 7:00 pm and end on Friday, 5 July, around 3:00 pm. To fully participate until the end of the academy, please book your return flight on Friday after 6:30 pm. The participation fee includes accommodation from Sunday to Friday morning check-out.
Arrive earlier
If you want to arrive before Sunday or stay longer, we can help you with additional bookings. Please note that you will need to pay the hotel directly. A single room costs 105€ per night and a double room 140€ per night, with breakfast included.
Stay longer
If you're a soccer fan and planning to attend the European Championship Football quarter-finals taking place in Berlin on Saturday, 6 July, consider extending your stay for two more nights. Please note that the room rate for 5 and 6 July will be different, and will cost 279€ per night, with breakfast included. To guarantee your booking for 5 and 6 July, Hotel Grenzfall will require your credit card number and expiration date. Hotel Grenzfall would charge 90% of the room rate in case of cancellation.
All prices include service and 7% VAT.
Once you have made travel reservations for your trip to Berlin, please complete the Logistics questionnaire. This will ensure that we have all your travel information. If you need any additional logistic details, don't hesitate to contact Annelien.
Visa to Germany
Please verify whether you need a visa to enter Germany. Consult your nearest German Embassy or Consulate, and before you visit them, please consult this website.
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A visa takes at least ten working days to be processed.
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Please apply for your entry visa before June!
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We will send you a letter of invitation to accompany your visa application if you need it.
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You'll need to apply for your entry visa in person, and it cannot be delegated.
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Remember that your passport must be valid for six months after the date you leave Germany.
Additional travel support links
How to get to Hotel Grenzfall:
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Hotel Grenzfall address or add the hotel contact card
Visit the page for Summer Academy participants.
Before the event
The Academy has an extensive programme, and we would like you to benefit the most from the training. For you to prepare, we have listed some reading material below. Our most recent annual reflections provide comprehensive background reading for the academy. We recommend you read the first readings before the Academy. For the enthusiast, we have compiled further reading, which is optional.
Reading List
The Academy has an extensive programme, and we would like you to benefit the most from the training. For you to prepare, we have listed some reading material below. Our most recent annual reflections provide comprehensive background reading for the academy. We recommend you read the first readings before the Academy. For the enthusiast, we have compiled further reading, which is optional.
Recommended reading
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Mesopartner Annual Reflection 2021/2022 - our most recent thinking on economic development
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Schoen, C. and Harmes-Liedkte, U. 2015. Developing a territorial economy: What do we need to get right. Mesopartner Annual Reflection 2015. 2015/02, Duisburg: Mesopartner.
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Mesopartner Annual Reflection 2018 – The roles and relevance of meso organisations in the context of specific concepts, tools and insights
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Mesopartner Annual Reflection 2017 – The systemic competitiveness framework particularly on the meso level and its organisations, their role, nature and challenges in Territorial Economic Development
Further reading (Optional)
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Mesopartner Annual Reflection 2019 (especially article 1)
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Mesopartner Annual Reflection 2014 – Complexity in Economic Development
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Mesopartner Annual Reflection 2015 – Territorial Economic Development
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Mesopartner Annual Reflection 2016 – Green Economic Development
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Cunningham, S. & Jenal, M. 2016. Rethinking systemic change: Economic evolution and institutions. Discussion Paper. London: The BEAM Exchange.
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Cunningham, S. & Meyer-Stamer, J. 2005. Planning or doing Local Economic Development? Problems with the Orthodox Approach to LED. Africa Insight, Vol. 35(4), pp. 4-14.
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Meyer-Stamer, Jörg. 2003. Mesopartner Working Paper 4: Mesopartner. Why is Local Economic Development so difficult, and what can we do to make it more effective?
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Meyer-Stamer, Jörg. 2005. Mesopartner Working Paper 14: Mesopartner. Systemic Competitiveness Revisited
During the event
Photo Introductions
To prepare for the Summer Academy, please send us two photos.
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The first photo should show you in a typical work situation, such as at your desk, in a training room, or the field.
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The second photo should show a favourite intervention you have been personally involved in (and can provide more details). Favourite can refer to success, impact, unique or novel tools and methods applied, a severe problem faced, great insights gained or something you are trying to understand better.
By doing so, we can use these photos during our group introduction on Monday morning to help everyone understand your work and environment. Additionally, the intervention photos will be used to propose a few case studies to facilitate learning during the Summer Academy by drawing on real examples from the field.
Please upload your photos by 21 June.