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

To prepare for the Summer Academy, please send us two photos. 

1. The first photo should show you in a typical work situation, such as at your desk, in a training room, or the field. 
2. 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.

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