The establishment of the Global Master's in Development Practice Secretariat was one of the core recommendations of the International Commission on Education for Sustainable Development Practice funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The year-long Commission was co-chaired by John W. McArthur, former CEO and 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. Hosted by the Earth Institute at Columbia University, the Secretariat serves as the umbrella organization overseeing all global Master's in Development Practice (MDP) programs and activities worldwide. Minnesota was one of the initial programs.
LINK to MDP Global Association website
The Global Association of MDP Programs includes all programs offering a Master's in Development Practice (MDP), situated at universities around the world, and a broad range of MDP collaborating organizations. Currently, the Global Association consists of 38 MDP programs, offered at universities in 26 countries on six continents, and more than 50 collaborating organizations ranging from local and regional governmental and non-governmental public and private organizations, to large, multinational agencies.
The Global Association Advisory Board (GAAB) refers to the organizational and governance structure of the Global Association. GAAB is comprised of the President, the Academic Steering Committee, Academic Advisory Council, Global Advisory Council, Students and Alumni Council and the MDP Secretariat. In order to function effectively the Board is guided by bylaws that define its purpose and responsibilities. If you have questions about the Global Association Advisory Board, please contact the secretariat.
The Student and Alumni Advisory Council (SAAC) refers to the student and alumni component of the governance body. The SAAC represents student and alumni opinions and interests within the Global MDP Association; provides professional platform(s) for job opportunities, networking, and the promotion of the MDP brand to employers and helps to create platforms for MDP students and alumni for discussion, global projects, and ideas sharing.
For more information about the Student and Alumni Advisory Council, please see this site, administered by the Secretariat.
(Student Contributions Encouraged)
Global Classroom: Foundations of Sustainable Development Practice is a web-based course that fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and allows students and teachers from around the world to participate in collective assignments and learning experiences.
International Conference on Sustainable Development is an annual meeting held at Columbia University that focuses on integrating MDP and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network. This year’s objective is to identify and share practical, evidence-based solutions that can support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDG Academy The SDG Academy is Sustainable Development Solution Network's flagship education initiative. It brings together the world’s experts to create and deliver educational content on critical issues for the future of people and planet, including health, education, climate change, agriculture and food systems, and sustainable investment. MDP is part of the SDG Academy!