Summer Academy Preparation

Dear Summer Academy participant,

We are looking forward to having you at the Academy in Berlin. 

On this page, you will find:

• Reading list
• Event information and travel tips
• Photo introduction
• Mesopartner books

For you to prepare, we have listed below some reading material. The first readings on LED, we recommend you read before the Academy. For the enthusiast, we have compiled further reading, which is optional. 

Reading on LED

Mesopartner Annual Reflection 2015 – Territorial Economic Development

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

Mesopartner Annual Reflection 2018 – The roles and relevance of meso organisations in the context of specific concepts, tools and insights

Mesopartner Annual Reflection 2019 - Our current way of embracing economic development

Jenal, Marcus & Cunningham, Shawn. (2013). Mesopartner Working Paper 16: Mesopartner. Gaining systemic insight to strengthen economic development initiatives

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?

Meyer-Stamer, Jörg (2005). Mesopartner Working Paper 14: Mesopartner. Systemic Competitiveness Revisited

Further reading (Optional)

Mesopartner Annual Reflection 2014 – Complexity in Economic Development

Mesopartner Annual Reflection 2016 – Green Economic Development

Cunningham, S. & Jenal, M. (2016). Rethinking systemic change: Economic evolution and institutions. Discussion Paper. London: The BEAM Exchange.   

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.

Cunningham, S. & Waeltring, F. (2016). Knowledge, Technologies and Innovation for Development in the Agenda 2030: Revisiting Germany's Contribution

Preparing for the Summer Academy, we would like to ask you to send us two photos -

1. A photo of you in a typical work situation (e.g. at the desk, in the training room, in the field etc.)
2. A second photo of a favourite intervention in which you are or have been involved personally (and can thus provide 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.

We will use these photos during our group introduction, making it easier for everyone to understand your work and environment. We will also use the intervention photos 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.

Here are some Mesopartner books available at a reduced price at the Academy.