Sustainable Development Diplomacy: On the Road to Achieving the SDGs online course

Sustainable development is one of the great challenges of our time. The unprecedented global challenges we face today are a blunt reminder of the need for cooperation across borders, sectors, and generations. More than ever, international assistance is needed to deal with the multiple health and security crises intensified by the deepening climate emergency and their economic and social impacts. Yet these shocks are putting the sustainable development goals (SDGs) at risk, and they are still far from reach unless scaled-up actions are taken.

The enduring effects of COVID-19, combined with conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and their consequences, climate shocks, and economic instability, have exacerbated existing inequalities worldwide. This situation, among others, calls for a stronger approach towards aid assistance (i.e. development cooperation) and development diplomacy. A new understanding of the required steps and new modes of action and skills are needed to make the fight against poverty sustainable and to get the SDGs back on track.

Both diplomats and practitioners in the field are crucial in making these changes, and they need a good knowledge of what development cooperation is and how it functions, since their tasks may include supporting the formulation of policies and strategies, mobilising and allocating funds, and negotiating and monitoring development interventions.

Most diplomacy programmes cover development issues only briefly, so the knowledge and skills offered to diplomats in this field are often limited. This Sustainable Development Diplomacy online course aims to help close this gap.

The 10-week online Sustainable Development Diplomacy course explores aid assistance and sustainable development as important dimensions of international relations. It examines various types of development cooperation and trends at national, regional, and global levels from the perspectives of both donor and recipient countries.

The course covers the path to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs. Additionally, it describes new approaches that are crucial for achieving the SDGs.

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What will you learn?

• Describe major issues and dilemmas in international development cooperation from the perspectives of both donor (provider) and recipient (partner) countries.
• Understand the strategies, forms, and principles for facilitating cooperation among partners and implementing programmes, including new current concepts, like the Nexus approach (humanitarian, development, peace nexus)
• Assess development needs and cooperation opportunities.
• Understand the scope of the SDGs, their progress and setbacks, and the changes and skills necessary to achieve them.
• Argue for and defend the role and potential of aid assistance in today's international relations.
• Understand the new skills and tools available to development professionals.
• Advise on the preparation of an ‘aid request’ to be submitted to a donor, and assess cooperation proposals submitted by partner governments or local organisations.
• Select the most appropriate type of funding for different activities (bilateral, multilateral, or private sources).
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of development projects and recommend changes if needed
• Foster the win-win aspects for both developed and developing countries.

How will you learn?

In this course, you will interact intensively in discussions with classmates and lecturers from around the world. You will receive guidance and personalised feedback on your classwork from the course team.

How long will you learn?

The course lasts 10 weeks:

• 1 week of course introduction and orientation to online learning
• 8 weeks of addressing the course topics one by one (see below for more details)
• 1 week for the final assignment and completing pending tasks

Who should apply

This course will be of interest to:

• Practising diplomats, civil servants, and others working in international relations
• Postgraduate students of diplomacy or international relations wishing to gain deeper insight through interaction with practising diplomats
• Postgraduate students or practitioners in other fields seeking an entry point into the world of diplomacy
• Journalists, staff of international and non-governmental organisations, translators, business people, and others who wish to improve their understanding of diplomacy-related topics

Also of interest

Methodology

The Sustainable Development Diplomacy: On the Road to Achieving the SDGs online course is based on a collaborative learning approach, involving a high level of interaction over a period of 10 weeks. Reading materials and the necessary tools for online interaction are provided in a virtual classroom.

Each week, participants study and discuss course materials and complete additional online activities. At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet to discuss the topic of the week. For successful completion, this course requires a minimum of 5 to 7 hours of study time per week.

Participants who successfully complete the course receive a certificate issued by Diplo, which can be printed or shared electronically.

Prerequisites

All course applicants must have regular internet access (broadband is preferred). 

Applicants for certificate courses must have:

• An undergraduate university degree OR 3 years of work experience and appropriate professional qualifications in diplomacy or international relations
• Sufficient English language skills to undertake postgraduate-level studies

Fees and scholarships

The fee for this course is €690. 

Note: Diplo alumni can benefit from a 15% discount on the fee for this course.

A limited number of partial scholarships are available for diplomats and others working in international relations from developing countries. Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution. 

You can apply for this course as:

• A certificate course, in order to obtain a certificate issued by Diplo
• As part of the Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy

How to apply

Fill out the short form to start your application process for this course. You will receive an instruction email on how to continue.

Applying for financial assistance? Please indicate this on the application form, upload your CV, and a motivation statement that should include:

• Details of your relevant professional and educational background
• Reasons for your interest in the course
• Why do you feel you should have the opportunity to participate in this course? How will your participation benefit you, your institution and/or your country?

Please note that financial assistance from Diplo is available only to applicants from developing countries! 

Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available in the course.

Cancellation policy

Diplo reserves the right to cancel this course if enrolment is insufficient. In case of cancellation, Diplo will notify applicants shortly after the application deadline. Applicants who have paid an application fee may apply this fee towards another course or receive a refund.