Learning to tackle complex issues
Organisations often face similar challenges: issues affecting multiple countries and sectors, translating policy into concrete action, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders. Global Challenges provides practical tools to address these. Participants learn to apply systems thinking, build skills in stakeholder management and policy analysis, and develop compelling change strategies. Organisations that collaborate with Global Challenges – for example, by enabling staff to take part or by offering a work placement – are thereby investing not only in personal development, but also in better collaboration, stronger projects and access to an international network. Former participant Ece Aydin agrees. ‘The emphasis in this programme is on collaboration, sharing experiences and drawing on local knowledge.’ For Ece, the Global Challenges programme provided a deeper understanding of the subject matter, as well as the ability to place health issues within a broader international context.
The power of international collaboration: bringing policy closer to practice
A distinctive feature of Global Challenges is the intensive collaboration between Radboud University and the University of Nairobi. Since 2021, they have together formed an international learning environment in which participants from Europe and Africa work together. For organisations, this collaboration delivers direct value: better-informed policy, greater insight into international contexts, as well as access to local knowledge and practical experience. Former participant Judith Glimmerveen experiences the added value of the programme in her work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she focuses on multilateral cooperation and human rights. A key challenge in her work is translating international policy into concrete and people-centred implementation. ‘Sharing experiences within the programme helps me to make policy more tangible,’ says Judith. ‘You see the impact of Dutch policy on other countries because you learn directly from participants who work there.’ The international diversity within the programme is essential in this regard. ‘It makes abstract policy choices concrete. You link decisions directly to the consequences for people and communities.’
Working together for change
For organisations wishing to increase their social impact, Global Challenges offers not only knowledge but, above all, a practical approach. As Judith sums it up: ‘The programme brings together academic reflection and practice. It helps you to approach international issues from multiple perspectives — and to actually do something about them.’
The one-year, accredited programme (formerly known as AMID) focuses on complex global issues involving international collaboration. Participants combine work and study: four days of practical work, one day of training. This structure makes it possible to apply academic insights directly to current organisational challenges. It is precisely this link between theory and practice that sets the programme apart.
Would you like to find out more about collaborating?
Would your organisation like to collaborate with Global Challenges, for example by having an employee take part, offering a work placement or raising a topical issue? Or is your organisation looking for support with a learning or change challenge that requires a bespoke approach? Radboud University helps organisations, teams and professionals with courses, training programmes and bespoke programmes tailored to real-world learning and change challenges. Please contact Inez Zondag at educationforprofessionals [at] ru.nl (educationforprofessionals[at]ru[dot]nl) or leave your details and we will call you back as soon as possible.
