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September 2009
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E-Newsletter
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Greetings!
The Global Network of MDP Programs continues to expand!
Ten universities have received seed funding from the MacArthur Foundation for the development of Master's in Development Practice programs. While the Columbia University program just launched this August,
the remaining nine universities will launch new MDP programs in
2010. Even in the absence MacArthur support,
several universities have shared plans to create MDP programs. The University of Minnesota is one great example.
The focus of the University of Minnesota's program will
be on sustainable livelihoods--on training students broadly in leadership and
management, public health, the natural and social sciences, and policy analysis
and advocacy to help create situations
in which people can lead the lives they choose, free from poverty and
deprivation, in a sustainable manner. The University of Minnesota's Dean J. Brian Atwood goes on to say, "In my experience as Administrator of USAID, the
best outcomes are the result of strong partnerships between the developed and
developing worlds. The developing world can offer some talented individuals,
but not enough to make a big enough difference soon enough. Our goal for the
MDP is not only to prepare North Americans to work in development, but also to
recruit at least 30 percent of each cohort of students from the developing
world."
To see the full list of MDP programs, please visit http://mdp.ei.columbia.edu.
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MDP Global Classroom: Improved and Refashioned
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This September, the MDP
Secretariat launched the third semester of the foundation course for the global
Master's in Development Practice curriculum: "Integrated Approaches to
Sustainable Development Practice," connecting over 200 students from
universities around the world. Grounded
in the four pillars of the MDP, the 14-week course draws from the health,
natural and social sciences and emphasizes practical challenges of management
and policy leadership.
To provide
students with a basic understanding of the key, cross disciplinary challenges
of sustainable development , each week students review an introductory "101"
lecture on topics ranging from Agriculture and Food Policy, Pubic Health in Low
Income Countries, Climate Change, Education Policy, among others. In addition to reviewing the pre-taped
lectures and required readings, students are challenged to "think like
practitioners" by submitting responses to weekly "challenge questions" that
apply lessons from the featured theme to a particular location or country. Throughout the course, students are also
creating project "wikis" that will provide and in-depth, cross-sectoral
analysis and diagnosis of a chosen location.
Lectures, readings, assignments and discussion forums are all housed in
the new "GlobalMDP Study" site, which is
accessible to participating faculty and students from around the world.
The most
exciting feature of the MDP Global Classroom remains the "live" discussions,
connecting classrooms and guest experts from around the world in a real-time,
interactive, global conversation. Global
discussions are held each Tuesday at 12hrs GMT, and have included Asian
Institute of Technology (Thailand), BRAC University (Bangladesh), Emory
University (USA), Lanzhou University
(China), National University of Singapore (Singapore), Universidad Autonoma-
Chapingo (Mexico), Universidad Internacional del Ecuador (Ecuador), Universite
Cheikh Anta Diop (Senegal), University of Ibadan (Nigeria), University of
Malaya (Malaysia), World Bank Development Learning Center (Madagascar), along
with several other universities, organizations and individuals that have been following the
course as observers.
For more information, please contact: mdp-info@ei.columbia.edu.
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Development Organizations as MDP Partners
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The
MDP academic institutions and universities are not alone as they
prepare the next generation of development leaders. Development organizations are an integral part of the global network of MDP programs. Development
organizations within the network are connected to MDP partner
universities through the Global MDP Secretariat, and may participate in
curriculum development meetings to ensure that MDP programs sufficiently
prepare graduates to work effectively as sustainable development
practitioners. In turn, partner universities and institutions will
provide support to organizations in the development of training
programs, and play an important role in supporting graduates throughout
their professional careers by providing special programs and
educational events for alumni.
Some of the partnering development organizations include:
- CARE,USA
- National Institute of Public Health, Mexico
- International Poverty Reduction Center, China
- US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, USA
- Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Center, Botswana
- Grameen Bank, India
- International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Switzerland
- Millennium Villages Project, Africa
- UNICEF, USA
If
you
or your organization would like to become involved, please contact the
MDP program nearest you and offer a field training experience, mentor
students and graduates and/or
hire a practitioner.
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Columbia University's MPA
in Development Practice Program
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This semester Columbia University welcomed
its first cohort of students who began their studies during the two-week
pre-semester Boot Camp in late August. Twenty four students
representing a variety of backgrounds and experiences are currently enrolled in
the program. These students have come to Columbia University from China,
Colombia, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Mauritania,
Senegal, South Africa, South Korea and the
United States.
Stephanie is a typical MPA in Development
Practice student and practitioner. She graduated from Fordham University
with a B.A. in Economics. She has several years of work experience as an
analyst in the Fixed Income division of Goldman Sachs,
as a research assistant at the M.I.T Poverty Action Lab in Kenya, and as a statistician for
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris. After she completes the
program, Stephanie hopes to
work on water, sanitation and
agriculture projects in Africa.
In her studies, Stephanie is supported by Dr.
Glenn Denning who is the Professor of Practice and Program Director for the MPA
DP program. Glenn is the founding director of The Millennium Development Goals
(MDG) Center and has also made important
contributions to the African Green Revolution and the Millennium Villages
Project.
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Next Global Network of MDP Programs to Meet
in New Delhi in 2010
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Please save the date for the next Global Network of MDP Programs meeting to be held at the 10th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit in Taj Palace, New Delhi on February 5-7, 2010.
The Network will participate in the Summit and then meet on Monday, February 8th for a full day of MDP related discussions on
curriculum development, field training programs, faculty exchanges, and many
other topics.
A
detailed agenda will soon be available. |
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Sincerely,
The Global Master's in Development Practice Secretariat
The Earth Institute
Columbia University
B-Level, Hogan Hall
2910 Broadway
New York, New York 10025
Email: mdp-info@ei.columbia.edu
Website: www.mdp.ei.columbia.edu
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