The participants represented many different nationalities and Master's programmes and brought a variety of experiences and approaches to the course. The spectrum of topics covered ranged from the basics of international nature conservation to questions of environmental law and transnational conservation concepts. The course is characterised by the fact that the students also become active themselves, as part of a simulation game to simulate a negotiation at the Convention on Biological Diversity or by presenting their own lectures or posters. With this format, which has been successful for many years, the Academy is realising one of its core themes: Building and developing capacities in international nature conservation. The students agreed that the unique conference venue on Vilm Island contributed to a particularly motivating working atmosphere.