United Nations Sustainability Entrepreneurship Short Course
June 2 - July 9, 2025
This certificate is designed for students, professionals, and enthusiasts interested in sustainable innovations, Hawaii Pacific-Islands and global resources. It aims to empower participants with an entrepreneurial mindset and the necessary tools to develop their own sustainable innovations. This program is offered through a partnership between the MBDA and Chaminade University’s United Nations CIFAL Honolulu. The course leads to a Certification granted by the UN CIFAL Honolulu Center and MBDA.
Cost: $1500 each course (fee waiver is available)
Audience: Designed for students, professionals & enthusiasts
Required time commitment :
8 hours per week asynchronous self-paced independent work.
2 hours per week of live online sessions with participants and guest speakers.
June 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 (Mondays & Wednesdays) - 12pm to 1pm HST
July 9 - 12pm to 2pm HST (Final pitch presentation)
Prerequisites: No prior experience or background knowledge is required.
“This program came at the perfect time to align my vision and mission and help me put them into practice. I’m also grateful for the incredible group of people who participated alongside me.”
Weekly Topics & Guest Speakers
week 0
What to expect from this course?
KICK OFF & ORIENTATION
week 1
What do you see when you imagine a better world?
CRAFTING YOUR VISION
GUEST SPEAKER: Kelly King Vice President, Pacific Biodiesel Technologies
week 2
How can you make your vision, innovation and intentions stand out and have a meaningful impact?
INNOVATING FOR IMPACT
GUEST SPEAKER: Jeff Mikulina Director Hawai’i Climate Coalition
week 3
What are your resources and priorities, and how will you put them into practice?
BUILDING RESOURCEFULNESS
GUEST SPEAKER: Quinn Vittum Reuse Hawaii Executive Director
week 4
What are your venture's financial needs? How will your vision be financially sustainable?
NURTURING FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
GUEST SPEAKER: Mariko O. Gordon, CFA, CFP® Financial Educator
