Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin (TCD-UCD) will launch their joint Masters in Development Practice during the (northern hemisphere) summer of 2010. This program is distinctive by virtue of the nature of the partnerships it involves and its thematic foci.

Ireland is a post-colonial country with a history of famine, poverty, emigration and ethnic conflict. This MDP draws on both the strong existing institutional international development architecture in Ireland and historic and new links with Africa, in particular. "The award by the MacArthur Foundation is a testament to the fact that Ireland has the best government agency (Irish Aid), NGOs and academics in Europe in the development area," says Professor Paul Walsh of UCD School of Politics & International Relations and chair of the new initiative.

The program is a partnership between Ireland's two leading universities, the National University of Rwanda, the Ethical Globalization Initiative (chaired by former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Dr. Mary Robinson, who be involved in delivering the program), one of Ireland's leading development non-governmental organizations, Tr�caire, a long-established development practice training centre in Dublin, the Kimmage Development Studies Centre, Earthmind, and other members of the global MDP network. "This new programme bridges the natural, health and social sciences and management, combining classroom study with field training experiences in Africa, and will enable Ireland to provide development practitioners of the future with the tools they need to address the root causes of extreme poverty, while preserving the environment for future generations," said Professor David Taylor, Professor of Geography at TCD.

The MDP involves a combination of rigorous academic training to the highest standards, in addition to training delivered by active practitioners, and exposure to on the ground-research, analysis, policy formulation and implementation. Graduates will have both the analytical and practical skills and personal attributes to analyze and devise solutions to multi-dimensional development problems. These skills will be developed in particular through the field training programs which focus particularly on issues of climate change, sustainable livelihoods and gender (an estimated 70% of the people living in absolute poverty around the world are women). Contextual issues such as the rising role of so-called "new" donors, such as China in Africa, will also be highlighted.

The first field training experience will be hosted by the National University of Rwanda beginning in June 2011. The orientation, laboratory, and field clinical activities will be done  with regional, national, and local NGO, government, bilateral, and multilateral partners who are working together to address critical ecosystems services and livelihood resources that will be increasingly impacted by climate and other negative environmental changes.  The main target areas for field study will be the buffer zones and adjacent communities surrounding significant ecological reserves such as the Gishwati Area Conservation Program, Rugezi Swamp, and the Akagera, Nyungwe, and Volcanoes national parks. Local Rwandese and international students will work in the field with mentors from key institutions such as the Centre for GIS and Remote Sensing (CGIS-NUR) the Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA), Karisoke Research Center (KRC), Partners in Health (PIH), Millennium Village Project/Mayange (MVP), Kitabi College of Conservation and Environmental Management (KCCEM), and the Wildlife Conservation Society/Gisakura Station (WCS/RDB), among others, to do research and implement mitigation activities that help certify, monitor, and build capacity to implement agreements taken at the December 2009 Copenhagen Climate Conference (COP15) as well as improve the lives of local citizens. The placement in this transborder region will enable students to engage with multiple issues related to climate change, livelihoods, migration, security, and biodiversity and conservation, amongst other issues.

The second field training, beginning in 2011 will involve internships with international organizations with offices in Geneva, such as the International Labor Organization, followed by field placements with institutions such as the Angie Brooks International Center on Women's Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security in Liberia. Liberia is the first country in Africa to have an elected female President, Ellen Shirleaf Johnson. Additional field placement experiences outside of Africa will be available through the global MDP network.