Transforming Education for Sustainable Development: Global Perspectives from Classroom to Practice

Transforming Education for Sustainable Development documents and disseminates learning around education for sustainable development and associated pedagogical approaches, techniques, and experiences that have been generated across the Master of Development Practice (MDP) Global Association over the past 12 years. It integrates the participation and perspectives of a diverse group of faculty, alumni, students, and partners. The book applies a critical, analytical lens to discuss experiences across 35 prestigious universities to provide an invaluable synthesis of key findings with a summary of forward-looking implications for global education for sustainable development. Chapters are developed around key dimensions of the MDP program, exploring how it has evolved since its inception in diverse regional and institutional contexts. With its focus on preparing future development practitioners for important roles in a wide range of organizations involved in different facets of sustainability, the MDP program offers a unique lens through which to learn best ESD practices and challenges faced. The book features contributions from across five continents, showcasing a broad range of educational strategies in different professional and cultural contexts to emphasize locally appropriate solutions. This will be an insightful and important read for professionals in higher education for sustainability and sustainable development, in addition to researchers, policymakers, and practitioners involved in non-profits, NGOs, and international organizations.

Glenn Galloway is Director to the Master of Sustainable Development Practice Program at the University of Florida, co-coordinated by the Centers for Latin American Studies and for African Studies. Previously, he served as Dean of the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) Graduate School based in Costa Rica.

Karen Brown is Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change, co-lead of the Sustainable Development Goals Initiative, and co-founder of the Master of Development Practice at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Brown’s academic interests include gender and global public policy, interdisciplinary and global social justice education.

Pádraig Carmody is Professor in Geography at Trinity College, the University of Dublin and a Senior Research Associate at the School of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of Johannesburg. He directs the Masters in Development Practice at Trinity.

Lucia Rodriguez is the Director of the Global MDP Secretariat. Through her guidance and support she fosters growth and the development of the global consortium of MDP programs. With over 20 years in international education, she has scaled projects, fundraised, and developed innovative programs.

Larry Swatuk is Emeritus Professor in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Previously, he was Lecturer in the Department of Political and Administrative Studies and Associate Professor of Natural Resources Governance at the Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana.