Students on our Master of Science (MPP) programme were asked to write a critical opinion on the protection of human rights and development. Focusing on the means and measures available to international actors — from political mediation, to the International Criminal Court (ICC), to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) — they explained how their choice fosters human rights and development. Below is a selection of essays, focusing on a range of case studies and critical issues arou...

Maastricht University (UM) celebrated the opening of the academic year on Monday 4 September 2017 by asking the question: ‘Can academics change the world?’ During the morning symposium, focusing on the action research approach in academic disciplines, six (all female) students (three Master’s and three PhD fellows) pitched their ideas for a project involving academic entrepreneurship. In the Master’s category, the award went to Nrupaja Bhide, who just graduated from UNU-MERIT’s Master̵...

The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has selected the project ‘Leading to Success: SMART Choices and SMART Tools’, submitted by project leader Dr. Mindel van de Laar, for funding in a competitive selection process to encourage open and online education. We obtained the SURF subsidy to support the development of two open online services. These packages will be piloted with our Master in Public Policy and Human Development (MPP) students, and then be offered continuously to MPP stu...

Hunger and food security are two of the most pressing issues for the UN – issues only made harder by climate change and armed conflict. Against this backdrop, UNU-MERIT joined a global challenge: to draft and debate a plan in support of SDG#2 — and end hunger. Higher education is changing: traditional lectures and teaching remain important, but they are increasingly complemented with state-of-the-art technology. The study of public policy is no exception. Future policymakers have to be tau...

The inaugural Public Policy in-house conference, 21 October 2016, was an opportunity for four members of the 2016/2017 MPP cohort to present their analyses of key policy issues from their home countries. The presenters were selected based not only on quality but also on diversity, region, and topic providing a unique learning opportunity for presenter and audience alike. By Kevin Gomis, MPP 2016-2017 Just like the cohort, the day’s presentations were highly diverse – ranging greatly ...

Master's student Nassim Abba recently completed an internship at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We asked him and his internship supervisor Ms. Nicole Maes how the Master's programme in Public Policy and Human Development prepares students to take up positions as interns, trainees and eventually policy offices at the Ministry....

A recent news article focused on the UNU-MERIT Master’s thesis ‘Competition for Talent: Retaining Graduates in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine’ by Julia Reinold.  The article looked at the advantages and disadvantages of living in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine (EMR): the tri-national crossroads between Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Considering graduate migration and personal experiences, it examined the many efforts made to reduce border barriers by the Foundation Euregio Meuse-Rhine...

Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges for the international community. Linked to a growing list of natural disasters – from droughts and desertification to floods and melting ice caps – climate change poses an existential threat to all of humanity. Against this backdrop, a coordinated international response is not only warranted but desperately needed. Acting as the main forum for dialogue and collective action, the United Nations (including all agencies, funds and program...

UNU-MERIT and its School of Governance hosted a Master’s Open Day on Saturday 20 February 2016. Several information sessions were offered throughout the day and visitors had the opportunity to speak with staff and students, as shown in the video above. A special guest of the day was our MPP alumnus Laurin Sepoetro, who now works at the European Parliament as Political Adviser to Ismail Ertug, MEP, and S&D Coordinator for the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). Our top-ranked MSc...

The essay competition ‘Inside the Black Box‘ asked students to join the debate on Official Development Assistance (ODA) and to come up with ideas on how to improve it. Pushing further, it was a campaign to reach policymakers who may be able to restructure ODA. We spoke with Education Director Dr. Lutz Krebs in the soundcloud above and team member Tamara Kool in the blog post below. The winning essays, in the form of a working paper, are embedded below. Beginning 2014, students from t...