Experiences with training programmes and courses in the field of sustainability & Global Challenges

Daan Verbaan has been working with the post-initial master in Global Challenges from his organisation Kerk in Actie for many years. He shares his experiences with and the added value of this programme in his organisation.

Daan Verbaan: 'Offering Global Challenges participants an opportunity to work within Kerk in Actie means to engage them in a commitment to fostering partnerships with different countries. Through collaborating with diverse international partners, we offer trainees the experience to appreciate the power of flexibility and the richness of cultural diversity. This can create the transformative potential that emerges when we think ourselves across borders, which I also experienced in working in a team for programs of international youth exchange.

Involving several Global Challenges trainees in the partnerships and work setting of Kerk in Actie definitely brought new insights, energy and inspiration. It enriched me to contribute better to the field of international development through coordinating impactful programs at Kerk in Actie.  "I am 59, feeling very much privileged and inspired to accompany local partners and churches abroad in their work for development & humanitarian response activities in Ukraine, Moldova and Poland in order to make this world a better place.'

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We visited a non-profit organisation in Kenya called Macheo, tucked away on the outskirts of Thi­ka town. Marnix Huis in 't Veld, the Managing Director, and Seth Mwangi, the Service Delivery Manager, enjoyed a coffee with us as they narrated their experience with Global Challenges programmes that enabled them become agents of change capable of developing ground-breaking responses to current and future challenges.

What attracted you to the post-initial master in Global Challenges ? 

Marnix: "We've known Prof Dr Sara Kinsbergen, the former Programme Director of the Global Challenges Professional programme , for a very long time. She visited us at Macheo in 2007. We've always kept in touch and follow up on her work. So, when the opportunity presented itself and the fees were affordable, it was a no-brainer:' 

Share the results of your learning experience with the programme. 
 

Seth Mwangi: "The experience was amazing. The team that took us through it provided well-organised teachers and lecturers. Unlike other ways of learning, the master in Global Challenges is more practical in that they have mentorship sessions that encourage us to ask more questions. The lec­turers were not there just to teach us. They would give us information, which we could question, bringing out the excellence in us."
Marnix: "We also met students from countries like Uganda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and India. The majority were from the Netherlands, who we also interacted and shared know­ledge with. As for our organisation, we networked and later received referrals from various people; some are doing things for Macheo that we benefit from."

 

Tell us about the significant impact of the master in Global Challenge. 

Marnix Huis in 't Veld: "The programme's intensity has played a major role in the changes I've seen. Their way of teaching helps a lot. More credit is due to Seth and Julie (other staff member of Macheo taking the programme) for all their efforts; they did very well."
Seth: "At Macheo, we've seen a huge boost in confidence, pure knowledge and a much broader scope of interna­tional development and international trends."

Have you incorporated Global Challenges into Macheo? 

Marnix: "As the Managing Director at Macheo, a few things have been implemented into our programmes, and the results are fantastic and truly beneficial. lt comes through in different ways: the change and what can be learned for Seth, Julie and me through the master in Global Challenge."

Do you share what you learn with Macheo staff? 

Seth: "Yeah, we thought of trans­ferring knowledge from what we learned. We agreed that we wanted to communicate what we are and what we are learning; this also makes it more practical for Julie and the rest of our colleagues."

Marnix: "So we incorporated Global Challenges programmes, although not fully. Currently, we have around 17 of our staff participating. We have one session every week on Thursdays, and they've taken it up and appre­ciate what we're teaching them. It's broadening their thinking, way of working and performance. We've seen remarkable change within them."

Seth: "It's insightful and inter­esting, having weekly discussions and debates. For Macheo, it's been eye-opening as we can now identify gaps in our organisation and know how to fix them. On a personal level, we've learned about presentation, communication and so forth. It's been very helpfuI."

Besides Macheo, is there another organisation you shared with? 

Seth: "Yes, a Ugandan student we were with. I shared what we we're doing with Macheo with her. She was interested, especially in our work, monitoring it and the evaluation. She even travelled from Uganda to Kenya to experience Macheo. She learned a lot because we took her through most of our interventions, what we're doing and how we monitor and eval­uate things.

It was a game changer for her. Since then, she's been in touch with us to introduce it to their organi­sation. It was impressive that she added it to her thesis, challenging her organisation to adapt how we do it at Macheo. This is such an excellent way to network."

Would you recommend Global Challenges Programmes to other organisations? 

Seth: "Definitely. There's so much to learn. They're key to making an organisation run or having an impact on the community. For instance, involving the community as stake­holders, other people and organi­sations. There's more focus on what you can offer within this organisation than on competition. Reaching out to make something impactful to what you're doing or in the community."

Are there major organisational holes that Global Challenges programmes would help fill? 

Seth: "The major issue with most organisations is community involve­ment. Organisations develop their interventions without involving the community for sustainability. In most cases, community ownership has no place. So whenever you pull or move away, things collapse.

From what I have learned in the master in Global Challenges, when you involve that community, there's ownership. They can do anything for the organ­isation because it's part of them. And with that, the impact is realised and feit. Even if you're not there, they can talk to others and continue with the project."

Marnix: "Adding to that, we've learned a lot about power. Hard sources of power in particular: who has them and where to use them. When you enter the government, they have all the aforementioned powers, yet you want to work with them. So how do you do it? How do you get people to realise that even if there are policies, they can change them and work with you?" 

How would you compare Global Challenges programmes with others? 

Seth: "We've had a lot of group work where we were grouped to work in Kenya and the Netherlands. We discussed and shared ideas with the whole team in both countries." 

Marnix: "Well, I feel that most pro­grammes are theoretical, while Global Challenges was practical. It was a step forward; how do you do what you want to do? This was the biggest change I saw in these two contexts. There were a lot of practicals, lecturer involvement and follow-ups."

Have there been any challenges with working and studying at the same time? 

Seth: "Time management. If I'd mis­managed it, everything would have fallen apart. I had to manage my work; being a family man, I needed to be there for them. I had to spend a lot of time reading and writing at night. Initially, it was exhausting. I remem­ber the first two months were hectic, but I was able to adapt with time."

Which aspect of the master in Global Challenges would you improve if you could?

Seth: "It was an excellent experience. The lecturers being there for you and even being open to having you contact them when you need help is a major thing. You can call and text them, and they'll reply. Everything was well thought out. It was an opportunity like no other."

Marnix: "I think there could have been more support to help Seth more, as he initially struggled with academic reading and writing, which wasn't a surprise given his previous education. Looking back, I think we should have invested more time in those skills before the start of the programme. This would have meant that when it started, it was easier to things pick up."

What are some of the takeaways from the Masterclasses in International Cooperation, a short programme for seasoned professionals, you're taking? 

Marnix: "It's been a blast! It opens your mind to new perspectives. I've enjoyed meeting new people who challenge me to question things I've just assumed. I've applied to this academic programme to add value to Macheo."

Macheo is a Non­Profit Organisation in Thika, Kenya. lt helps disadvantaged children and their families in urban slums and rural regions. Macheo means 'sunrise' in Kiswahili. 'Sunrise' means having as many children as possible grow up happily in a safe, caring and stimulating environment that promotes their potential. 

Post-initial master in Global Challenges (AMID)

Masterclasses in International Cooperation (AMID)

Do you believe that economic development and sustainability can go hand in hand? Beatrijs van Manen, sustainability manager at FMO - Dutch Development Bank does. In achieving her goals, Van Manen gets help from participants of the post-initial Master in Global Challenges.

Beatrijs van Manen: 'Global Challenges brings us talented, curious, proactive and critical colleagues who constantly bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas from a variety of disciplines. Their ability to connect diverse perspectives enriches our projects and helps us tackle sustainability issues with renewed creativity and sharpness. With a strong focus on practical application, these participants are not only thoughtful, but also extremely effective in achieving concrete results within our organisation.'

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Study start date

01 January 2018

Study end date

01 January 2019

Laila Bouallouch participated in the Global Challenges Professional programme, a unique master's programme wherein professionals develop the skills to tackle global challenges responsibly.

Laila Bouallouch: "One thing I will never forget, is that during my Global Challenges graduation ceremony I was labelled an activist. A title I take great pride in. At the NL MFA, I work on topics related to young people in Africa and the Middle East. For me it was important to make sure that in my work the voices of youth were heard as back then (2018) programmes were designed without the meaningful participation of youth. I pushed for the partnership between my department and One Young World to be signed as a first step into providing a platform for young people in Africa and the Middle East. Fast forward to today, I am proud to say with the help and support of a lot of people we now have a Youth At Heart strategy, hold the first virtual conference of the NL MFA, a toolkit, a youth advisory committee, and more specifically at my department we are also drafting more ways into incorporating meaningful youth participation in programmes and decision-making (where our current AMID-trainee is leading one of the processes).

Global Challenges has provided me with the opportunity to get a foot in the field of development cooperation whilst gaining practical experience in combination with learning the latest development theories. On my Twitter-bio you will see that I refer to myself as a pracademic as I still try to incorporate academia into my work. Moreover, it has provided me with a network of people working in the field of international development but foremost at Global Challenges I met one of my dearest friends."

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Nationality

Kenia

Country of previous education

Kenia

Job Manani from Kenya was a participant of the de postinitial master in Global Challenges.

Job Manani: 'The AMID Young Professional programme is a very exciting, yet challenging programme for individuals and Organizations in the international & Community development space. In its quest to bridge the gap between academia, Policy & Practice, the courses offered challenges one out of the typical development approaches through diverse perspectives in designing sustainable development partnerships and interventions. The rich diversity in lecturers and student backgrounds has been instrumental in enriching my thinking and general approach to my work, career, and personal life growth and creating valuable networks that will be beneficial to my organization and me at individual levels.

Midway through the programme, as a change agent, I am now pointing out skewed partnership approaches that for some time have been seen as normal, leading to meaningful conversations at the organizational level. As an organization, rich conversations are happening around power-balanced partnerships both horizontally and vertically.'

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Mayanka Vij participated as a trainee in the master in Global Challenges, a unique master's programme that matches ambitious young professionals with organisations with sustainability ambitions.

"Reflecting on my academic journey with Global Challenges in 2018, one poignant memory stands out: our entire class was standing in a circle and the premise of the exercise was to assess how different people perceived the same issues and whether others could influence their thinking. It was a thought-provoking exercise, it led to some debate and I recall a particular moment when one classmate expressed fatigue from repetitive discussions on (in my opinion) a critical issue and another emphasized the significance of continuous dialogue.

Both statements elicited strong reactions from the rest of the group and though they were polarising (to a degree), the class was empathetic to both perspectives. It was that experience that really shone light on the agility of the Global Challenges group, the careful considerations we afforded to different sides of an argument and never jumped to the most obvious conclusions.

I have witnessed various challenges and limitations inherent to the development sector and it is what continues to reaffirm my belief in sustained multi-disciplinary collaboration and dialogue. Whether it be in a personal or professional capacity, everyone can play a role in challenging biases and antiquated notions that influence the way development cooperation is thought of and done. A career in development cooperation isn’t the only way a person can have real impact!"

Post-initial in Global Challenges (AMID)

Martha Mwangi, programme manager at iMPACT direct foundation, participated in the Masterclasses in Global Challenges. This series of nine meetings offers you the knowledge to improve the practice of international cooperation within your organisation, agency or foundation.

"Throughout, I always wanted to change people’s lives in a practical way.  I have a background in the financial sector and consultancy for small Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations. As a programme manager at iMPACT direct foundation, I got the opportunity to join the AMID Masterclasses in International Development. It has provided me with invaluable knowledge and insights into the field and also helped me explore my personal motivations, areas of interest, and professional goals.

During the masterclass, I had the opportunity to deeply reflect on what drives me as a professional in the field of international development. The instructors facilitated thought-provoking discussions that encouraged us to examine our core values, aspirations, that brought us to this field. I am truly driven by the desire to make positive impact on the lives of vulnerable populations around the world. I am passionate about addressing socio-economic inequalities, promoting sustainable development, and empowering individuals and communities to achieve their full potential. The masterclass has helped me solidify my commitment to these values and provided me with tools to pursue them effectively.

One of the greatest strengths of this masterclass was its focus on real-world case studies, practical experiences, and interactive exercises. By delving into the complexities of diverse development contexts, the masterclass equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges and potential solutions in international development. By analyzing various sectors, such as education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and gender equality, I now possess a broader perspective on where my expertise and efforts can have the most impact.

The masterclasses in Global Challenges surpassed my expectations. My eye-openers were the challenges, innovative approaches and best practices that will inform our organization’s strategies and contribute to effective international development efforts. I highly recommend this masterclass to anyone looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the field and to unlock their potential in driving positive change globally."

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Irene Kraanen, advisor to the Director-General for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the Masterclasses in Global Challenges. This series of nine meetings offers you the knowledge to improve the practice of international cooperation within your organisation, agency or foundation.

"When we look at the news, it sometimes feels like the world is moving backwards, doesn’t it? The number of natural disasters, violent conflicts and people forced to leave their homes is ever increasing. All that while having a climate crisis looming over us, reaching the point of no return. But if you look closer, in between all the chaos, you can find hope.  

That little bit of hope is what keeps the world going and has motivated me to work in the development cooperation sector. I believe we can change the course of the world together and reach those #SDGs. However big or small, we can all in our own way contribute to these goals. To strengthen my knowledge on how we can contribute to a better world via development cooperation I decided to apply for the Masterclasses in Global Challenges.

Although I have the honor to learn from renounced lecturers within the sector, I believe I personally and professionally grow the most from the interaction with my class. The participants consist of various actors in the field of international development from all over the world, from donors and philanthropists to beneficiaries, from south to north. Their valuable viewpoints, and sometimes very critical questions to my address as a civil servant for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, force me to review my believes on what works. 

The Masterclasses in Global Challenges creates critical thinkers in the field of international development and simultaneously provides a platform to build a network within the sector. So far, the classes have taught me about the various challenges we face but also possible solutions. The biggest take aways for me so far? We need trust, continuity, and a little appetite for risk. And most important, with the risk of sounding terribly cliché: Hope!"

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As Program Manager for the Regional Energy Strategy North and Central Limburg, Lieke Raaijmakers-Potten faces significant challenges in realizing sustainability plans. “This requires interregional cooperation. But how do you approach that, and how do you manage constructive collaboration with support from various partners?” With that question, she turned to Young Leadership for Sustainability at Radboud University.

The five-part course at Radboud University brought Public Administration alumna Lieke Potten back to campus. Reflecting on the experience, she describes it as enriching, mainly due to the insights she gained from her fellow participants. “My background in government was complemented by various other experiences, from the healthcare sector, regional safety organizations, consultancy firms, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.” She found it encouraging to learn how far others had progressed with their sustainability plans. “Someone from a major health insurance company in our course group mentioned that their industry still had a long way to go in terms of raising awareness. In our case, we’re fortunate to already have that awareness about sustainability. For us, it's now about execution and bringing our partners along in that next step.”

Change through dialogue

She took many insights home from the course. For instance, she learned how to engage in conversations with others and how crucial your message can be to taking the right step, along with the tools that can help. “The combination of the theoretical framework and discussions with fellow participants made me realize how important it is to approach various partners with a compelling story and that this requires a tailored approach. A good narrative can eventually make sustainability the norm.” The instructors provided the eye-opener that sustainability is mainly about building connections. “You can't make all your progress by staying in your own domain; you have to form a broader coalition. You need to try to understand the interests of other domains, like the economy, by viewing sustainability as an economic incentive.” She explains that stepping into other playing fields is crucial: only then can you truly make progress in sustainability. “And this mostly means actively listening to others and seeking dialogue.”

From theory to reality

What Lieke appreciated most about the program was the combination of theory (including learning skills) and practice: she was consistently able to apply what she learned, in small groups, to her own situation. This was particularly useful because she is in the midst of an organizational change at work, which involves elevating sustainability to interregional partnerships. A concrete example of this collaboration: our region started, over three-quarters of a year ago, to formalize our energy region further. The goal of this collaboration is to share knowledge and accelerate the energy transition by working together smartly on the content. As program manager of the Regional Energy Strategy, I play an important role in the further development of this realization. If we are to make this step, it is crucial to collaborate even more with various other parties in the region, because they possess expertise that we, as governments, do not have within our own organizations. “There is a limited number of hands in the municipality. The regional organization exists to take some of the load off the municipalities. By pooling resources, you can make significant progress in sustainability.”

Lieke often thought, "It's just not moving fast enough" when it came to sustainability plans. But her optimism has since been reinforced, thanks to the new regional network on the horizon and the knowledge she gained. “Sustainability can be a struggle, but now you know that you can help each other move forward. And the great thing is that I now also have a network outside the scope of my professional field, namely my fellow students from this training, as we are still in contact.”

In de cursus is er een mooie balans tussen theorie en gezelschapsvorming. Specialisten verzorgen colleges over thema’s als gedragsverandering, de rol van activisme, leiding nemen en het verschuiven van normen.

De theorie verwerk je door middel van samenwerkingsopdrachten, die je uitvoert met andere cursisten. Die samenwerking is onderdeel van gezelschapsvorming. Daarin zit een meerwaarde, aangezien andere deelnemers vergelijkbare functies hebben en vaak met dezelfde materie werken. Op deze manier leer je ook van elkaar en wordt je netwerk verder uitgebreid. Als eindproduct formuleer en presenteer je jouw eigen visie op het thema en schrijf je een manifest. Ik ben enthousiast over de cursus Young Leadership for Sustainability en kan hem iedere duurzaamheidsprofessional in een (toekomstig) leidinggevende rol aanraden.