Secretariat
The Global Master’s in Development Practice Secretariat supports sustainable development practice programs worldwide that integrate cross-disciplinary approaches in their preparation of “generalist” practitioners.
Launch of International Commission on Education for Sustainable Development Practice Report, New York, October 2008, with remote participation from Tsinghua University
The Global Master’s in Development Practice Secretariat is one of the core recommendations of a report from the International Commission on Education for Sustainable Development Practice supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation . The 2007-2008 Commission was co-chaired by John W. McArthur, CEO & Executive Director of Millennium Promise and Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and comprised 20 eminent sustainable development experts and practitioners. Based at the Earth Institute at Columbia University, the Secretariat serves as the umbrella organization overseeing all Master’s in Development Practice (MDP) programs and activities worldwide.
The new MDP program is a two-year, graduate level program that has been designed to train aspiring practitioners to understand and manage integrated approaches to sustainable development challenges across the health sciences, natural sciences, social sciences and management. This rigorous cross-disciplinary, academic curriculum emphasizes the development of critical knowledge, skills and attributes of an effective professional in developing societies.
To provide guidance to the Secretariat, an International Advisory Board was established. Comprised of practitioners, academics and MDP program directors the International Advisory Board works closely with the Global MDP Secretariat to build and expand the network of institutions involved in sustainable development practice and to establish standards for MDP programs and curricula.
The Secretariat’s immediate and intermediate responsibilities include:
- Coordinating the global network of MDP programs that will serve to scaffold the building of new training and education programs that integrate international, cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary teaching and learning experiences.
- Managing the development of the MDP curriculum at institutions around the world by overseeing teaching guides, lesson plans, case studies, field training, assignments and practical teaching tools.
- Supporting an Open-source Online Resource Center for participating institutions that will contribute to a dynamic repository of educational resources and tools including case studies, lectures, manuals. Such resources will not only support Master’s in Development Practice programs, but also in-service training programs, certification programs and continuing education programs for professionals working in sustainable development.
- Coordinating global courses with MDP partner universities to provide the opportunity for students to engage in collaborative assignments and interactive discussions to build a community of cross-border problem-solvers. Courses may be developed to target specific levels of professional development (graduate-level, junior professional, senior-level generalist and specialist), to connect learners from around the world to participate in interactive, learning modules.
- Establishing with the assistance of the IAB eligibility guidelines for academic institutions interested in creating a MDP program.
- Reviewing proposals from applicant institutions wishing to establish MDP programs.
- Identifying new participant institutions in conjunction with donors and development organizations.
- Serving as the public face of the global MDP program at conferences, events and before the press.
- Stewarding relationships with donors, both existing and potential, and serving as the liaison between donors, institutions and other key participants.
In the future and in close concert with the International Advisory Board along with a broad range of expert academics and practitioners, the Secretariat’s role will include:
- Establishing curriculum standards and accreditation based on the core competencies of Sustainable Development Practice and corresponding learning outcomes for the MDP programs. Spearheaded by the International Advisory Board and in consultation with a broad range of expert academics and practitioners, accreditation standards will adhere to the core competencies of the MDP, identified in this website as well as the corresponding learning outcomes for the MDP.
- Creating certification programs in close coordination with MDP program directors and faculty to ensure proficiency in professional competencies.
- Reviewing MDP curriculum periodically to ensure that the program remains up-to-date and relevant, addressing recent technological innovations, scientific discoveries or emerging threats to sustainable development.
Specific information on the Global MDP Secretariat and how you can get involved is available by emailing us at: mdp-info@ei.columbia.edu
Join us in this global initiative!