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September 2009

E-Newsletter

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.
In This Issue
MDP Global Classroom: Improved and Refashioned
Development Organizations as MDP Partners
Columbia University's MPA in Development Practice Program
The Global Network To Meet in New Delhi, India
MDP Global Classroom:  Improved and Refashioned
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: [email protected].

Development Organizations as MDP Partners

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.
Columbia University's MPA
in Development Practice Program

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. 
 
Next Global Network of MDP Programs to Meet
in New Delhi in 2010

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.

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: 
[email protected]


 Website: www.mdp.ei.columbia.edu
          
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