Cross-Border Management in Comparative Perspective — BIG Summer Institutes

Cross-border regions are among the most complex governance challenges of the 21st century. From the EU's borderlands to the Pacific Northwest, governments and organizations must coordinate across jurisdictions to manage trade, mobility, and shared resources — yet few professionals receive dedicated training in this area.

This course uses real-world case studies from Europe and North America to build your skills in cross-border policy, strategy, and governance. You will learn from practitioners at leading cross-border organizations alongside an international cohort of peers from 30+ countries.

• How cross-border regions are governed in Europe and North America, using real case studies from the EU, Cascadia, and Latin America
• How to evaluate different governance models for cross-border cooperation (Euroregions, European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation, cross-border functional areas)
• How to build a cross-border strategy or project, including SWOT analysis and stakeholder identification
• The policy impact of Brexit on European border regions and cross-border cooperation
• How organizations such as the Association of European Border Regions and the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region support cross-border governance in practice
• The principles of boundary-making and how to manage borders near disputed or uncertain boundaries
• How global flows of people, goods, money, and information are changing the future of border management

BIG_Lab is an international policy and research network based at the University of Victoria, Canada, dedicated to advancing border governance worldwide. Now in its 6th year, the BIG Summer Institutes have brought together 50+ expert speakers and 500+ participants from 30+ countries. Learn more at www.biglobalization.ca

"The BIG Summer Institutes program delivered an exceptionally practical learning experience led by engaging, well-chosen lecturers who are true professionals from industry — a rare and valuable combination. The diverse, global perspectives of fellow participants enriched discussions and created a dynamic, case-driven learning environment."

— Yuriy Kosmyna, Migration and Border Governance Senior Programme Specialist, IOM Mission in Ukraine

"The ability to learn from others in different regions is invaluable. We all have different strategies and challenges. This program helps bridge those gaps."

— Summer Institutes Participant, Tunisia

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Host or Publisher University of Victoria, Faculty of Social Sciences