Global Master's in Development Practice

In an effort to bolster the leadership and training of development practitioners, the Earth Institute convened a group of 20 eminent scholars and practitioners, from a variety of disciplines, in a year-long International Commission on Education for Sustainable Development Practice. Launched in early 2007 and supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Commission aimed to identify practical initiatives to support an emerging field of cross-disciplinary “sustainable development practice”. In a report by the International Commission on Education for Sustainable Development Practice released in 2008, and available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, and Spanish, the Commission provided the insights and recommendations that ultimately led to the development of the Master’s in Development Practice programs. In 2022, now based in the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), there are 36 participating universities across the globe that make up the Global Association of Master's in Development Practice (MDP) community. This network shares curriculum, online classes, resources, and practice and career opportunities. With the assistance of the MDP Secretariat, the faculty organize as the Academic Steering Committee (ASC). Students and alumni organize as the Student and Alumni Advisory Council (SAAC). The network convenes annually in a Global Summit, and regularly collaborates in other conference, journal publishing, and events.