Sustainability Development and Justice

Overview

The MSc in Sustainable Development and Justice aims to support the International School for Development Justice (ISDJ) in becoming a center of excellence for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a focus on the global South. This MSc focuses on SDG 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. The purpose of this MSc is to produce a cadre of experts and specialists who will contribute to the advancement of SDG 16 in their country and region and to enhance the human resource capacity of developing countries.

The program will equip prospective graduates with practical skills and knowledge about the complexities of promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions. It will also instill a sense of ethical responsibility and social consciousness among students by emphasizing the dangers of not addressing inequalities, discrimination, and human rights violations. The program aims to promote equity, justice, fairness, and respect for human rights, which are critical for achieving sustainable development. It will, therefore, provide a broader understanding of SDG 16, as foundational to the attainment of the other SDGs. By doing so, the program advances a holistic approach to addressing development challenges

Program Levels

• Postgraduate Certificate

  6 core courses (18 credits)
  
  Total: 18 credits

• Postgraduate Diploma

  6 core courses (18 credits); 2 electives (6 credits)
  
  Total: 24 credits

• Masters

  6 core courses (18 credits); 2 electives (6 credits); 2 projects (12 credits)
  
  Total: 36 credits

Program Goals

1. List and explain the targets and indicators of SDG 16.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the intersections between peace, justice, strong institutions, and sustainable development as a foundation for attaining the SDGs agenda.
3. Analyze global peace, justice, and institutional strengthening challenges, such as conflict and violence, human rights violations, and corruption as hindrances to sustainable development.
4. Support the promotion of peace, justice, and strong institutions towards advancing sustainable development in their respective country and region and, by extension, globally.
5. Demonstrate competence in research skills in research methodologies and analytical tools for conducting empirical research on peace, justice, and institution-building topics.
6. Identify the factors which contribute to conflict and those that promote violence prevention, conflict resolution, and peace.
7. Develop innovative strategies and techniques for conflict prevention, resolution, reconciliation, and peacebuilding at all levels, from interpersonal to international.
8. Evaluate the adequacy of legal and judicial frameworks for advancing peace, justice, and strong institutions, and advocate for strengthening these systems for fairness, accountability, and access to justice for all.
9. Identify principles and mechanisms by which all actors, such as international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other civil society actors, can protect and promote human rights.
10. Critique the extent to which governance structures and strategies enhance and promote good governance for peace and justice.
11. Assess policy and advocacy efforts to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions at all levels.
12. Develop skills in stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and partnerships across government, civil society, academia, and the private sector.

SDG Focus

• #16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
  The emphasis on reparative justice and strong institutional practices contributes to the establishment of just, peaceful, and inclusive sport institutions