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...
Two graduates from our Master’s programme in Public Policy and Human Development (MPP) were honoured at Maastricht University’s 39th anniversary ceremony on Friday 16 January 2015. Here they share their background stories and hopes for the future. Best Master’s thesis 2014 Lorraine Wong (MPP 2013-2014) was awarded the Student Prize for Best Master’s thesis of 2014 at the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences. For her thesis on ‘Quality of education and economic growth’ she d...
Today more than 100 students from some 40 different countries joined our Master’s in Public Policy and Human Development (MPP) for the 2014-2015 academic year. Welcomed by Maastricht Mayor Onno Hoes, Director-Dean Bart Verspagen and Education Director Lutz Krebs, they were given a chance to mix and mingle, to learn about our Problem-Based Learning approach, and to get useful tips on their new home from recent graduates. Our top-ranked one-year programme is sealed by a double degree from Maastric...
UNU-MERIT and its School of Governance will host a Master’s Open Day on Saturday 11 October 2014. Our top-ranked MSc in Public Policy and Human Development (MPP) emphasizes the connection between public policy and decision-making processes, as well as the principles of good governance. Students who successfully complete the programme receive a double degree issued by the United Nations University and Maastricht University. Several information sessions will be offered throughout the day and...