Testimonies on training and courses on sustainability
Participants, alumni, organisations and teachers form the international heart of our sustainability programmes and courses. Together, they are committed to the Sustainable Development Goals. Read how they try to achieve these goals through education.
My eye-openers were the challenges, innovative approaches and best practices that will inform our organization’s strategies and contribute to effective international development efforts.
Martha Mwangi, programme manager at iMPACT direct foundation, participated in the AMID Masterclasses International Development. This series of nine meetings offers you the knowledge to improve the practice of international cooperation within your organisation, agency or foundation.
"Throughout, I always wanted to change people’s lives in a practical way. I have a background in the financial sector and consultancy for small Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations. As a programme manager at iMPACT direct foundation, I got the opportunity to join the AMID Masterclasses in International Development. It has provided me with invaluable knowledge and insights into the field and also helped me explore my personal motivations, areas of interest, and professional goals.
During the masterclass, I had the opportunity to deeply reflect on what drives me as a professional in the field of international development. The instructors facilitated thought-provoking discussions that encouraged us to examine our core values, aspirations, that brought us to this field. I am truly driven by the desire to make positive impact on the lives of vulnerable populations around the world. I am passionate about addressing socio-economic inequalities, promoting sustainable development, and empowering individuals and communities to achieve their full potential. The masterclass has helped me solidify my commitment to these values and provided me with tools to pursue them effectively.
One of the greatest strengths of this masterclass was its focus on real-world case studies, practical experiences, and interactive exercises. By delving into the complexities of diverse development contexts, the masterclass equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges and potential solutions in international development. By analyzing various sectors, such as education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and gender equality, I now possess a broader perspective on where my expertise and efforts can have the most impact.
AMID masterclasses surpassed my expectations. My eye-openers were the challenges, innovative approaches and best practices that will inform our organization’s strategies and contribute to effective international development efforts. I highly recommend this masterclass to anyone looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the field and to unlock their potential in driving positive change globally."
The AMID masterclass creates critical thinkers in the field of international development and simultaneously provides a platform to build a network within the sector
Irene Kraanen, advisor to the Director-General for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the AMID Masterclasses International Development. This series of nine meetings offers you the knowledge to improve the practice of international cooperation within your organisation, agency or foundation.
"When we look at the news, it sometimes feels like the world is moving backwards, doesn’t it? The number of natural disasters, violent conflicts and people forced to leave their homes is ever increasing. All that while having a climate crisis looming over us, reaching the point of no return. But if you look closer, in between all the chaos, you can find hope.
That little bit of hope is what keeps the world going and has motivated me to work in the development cooperation sector. I believe we can change the course of the world together and reach those #SDGs. However big or small, we can all in our own way contribute to these goals. To strengthen my knowledge on how we can contribute to a better world via development cooperation I decided to apply for the AMID masterclasses.
Although I have the honor to learn from renounced lecturers within the sector, I believe I personally and professionally grow the most from the interaction with my class. The participants consist of various actors in the field of international development from all over the world, from donors and philanthropists to beneficiaries, from south to north. Their valuable viewpoints, and sometimes very critical questions to my address as a civil servant for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, force me to review my believes on what works.
The AMID masterclass creates critical thinkers in the field of international development and simultaneously provides a platform to build a network within the sector. So far, the classes have taught me about the various challenges we face but also possible solutions. The biggest take aways for me so far? We need trust, continuity, and a little appetite for risk. And most important, with the risk of sounding terribly cliché: Hope!"
Macheo organisation on AMID programmes
It's broadening their thinking, way of working and performance. We've seen remarkable change within them.
A few weeks before the launch of AMID Magazine, we visited a non-profit organisation in Kenya called Macheo, tucked away on the outskirts of Thika town. Marnix Huis in 't Veld, the Managing Director, and Seth Mwangi, the Service Delivery Manager, enjoyed a coffee with us as they narrated their experience with AMID programmes that enabled them become agents of change capable of developing ground-breaking responses to current and future challenges.
What attracted you to the AMID Young Professional programme?
Marnix: "We've known Prof Dr Sara Kinsbergen, the Programme Director of AMID Young Professional, for a very long time. She visited us at Macheo in 2007. We've always kept in touch and follow up on her work. So, when the opportunity presented itself and the fees were affordable, it was a no-brainer:'
Share the results of your learning experience with the programme.
Seth: "The experience was amazing. The team that took us through it provided well-organised teachers and lecturers. Unlike other ways of learning, AMID Young Professional is more practical in that they have mentorship sessions that encourage us to ask more questions. The lecturers were not there just to teach us. They would give us information, which we could question, bringing out the excellence in us."
Marnix: "We also met students from countries like Uganda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and India. The majority were from the Netherlands, who we also interacted and shared knowledge with. As for our organisation, we networked and later received referrals from various people; some are doing things for Macheo that we benefit from."
Tell us about the significant impact of AMID Young Professional.
Marnix: "The programme's intensity has played a major role in the changes I've seen. Their way of teaching helps a lot. More credit is due to Seth and Julie (other staff member of Macheo taking the programme) for all their efforts; they did very well."
Seth: "At Macheo, we've seen a huge boost in confidence, pure knowledge and a much broader scope of international development and international trends."
Have you incorporated AMID into Macheo?
Marnix: "As the Managing Director at Macheo, a few things have been implemented into our programmes, and the results are fantastic and truly beneficial. lt comes through in different ways: the change and what can be learned for Seth, Julie and me through the AMID Young Professional and Masterclasses."
Do you share what you learn with Macheo staff?
Seth: "Yeah, we thought of transferring knowledge from what we learned. We agreed that we wanted to communicate what we are and what we are learning; this also makes it more practical for Julie and the rest of our colleagues."
Marnix: "So we incorporated AMID programmes, although not fully. Currently, we have around 17 of our staff participating. We have one session every week on Thursdays, and they've taken it up and appreciate what we're teaching them. It's broadening their thinking, way of working and performance. We've seen remarkable change within them."
Seth: "It's insightful and interesting, having weekly discussions and debates. For Macheo, it's been eye-opening as we can now identify gaps in our organisation and know how to fix them. On a personal level, we've learned about presentation, communication and so forth. It's been very helpfuI."
Besides Macheo, is there another organisation you shared with?
Seth: "Yes, a Ugandan student we were with. I shared what we we're doing with Macheo with her. She was interested, especially in our work, monitoring it and the evaluation. She even travelled from Uganda to Kenya to experience Macheo. She learned a lot because we took her through most of our interventions, what we're doing and how we monitor and evaluate things.
It was a game changer for her. Since then, she's been in touch with us to introduce it to their organisation. It was impressive that she added it to her thesis, challenging her organisation to adapt how we do it at Macheo. This is such an excellent way to network."
Would you recommend AMID Programmes to other organisations?
Seth: "Definitely. There's so much to learn. They're key to making an organisation run or having an impact on the community. For instance, involving the community as stakeholders, other people and organisations. There's more focus on what you can offer within this organisation than on competition. Reaching out to make something impactful to what you're doing or in the community."
Are there major organisational holes that AMID programmes would help fill?
Seth: "The major issue with most organisations is community involvement. Organisations develop their interventions without involving the community for sustainability. In most cases, community ownership has no place. So whenever you pull or move away, things collapse.
From what I have learned in AMID Young Professional, when you involve that community, there's ownership. They can do anything for the organisation because it's part of them. And with that, the impact is realised and feit. Even if you're not there, they can talk to others and continue with the project."
Marnix: "Adding to that, we've learned a lot about power. Hard sources of power in particular: who has them and where to use them. When you enter the government, they have all the aforementioned powers, yet you want to work with them. So how do you do it? How do you get people to realise that even if there are policies, they can change them and work with you?"
How would you compare AMID programmes with others?
Seth: "We've had a lot of group work where we were grouped to work in Kenya and the Netherlands. We discussed and shared ideas with the whole team in both countries."
Marnix: "Well, I feel that most programmes are theoretical, while AMID was practical. It was a step forward; how do you do what you want to do? This was the biggest change I saw in these two contexts. There were a lot of practicals, lecturer involvement and follow-ups."
Have there been any challenges with working and studying at the same time?
Seth: "Time management. If I'd mismanaged it, everything would have fallen apart. I had to manage my work; being a family man, I needed to be there for them. I had to spend a lot of time reading and writing at night. Initially, it was exhausting. I remember the first two months were hectic, but I was able to adapt with time."
Which aspect of AMID Young Professional would you improve if you could?
Seth: "It was an excellent experience. The lecturers being there for you and even being open to having you contact them when you need help is a major thing. You can call and text them, and they'll reply. Everything was well thought out. It was an opportunity like no other."
Marnix: "I think there could have been more support to help Seth more, as he initially struggled with academic reading and writing, which wasn't a surprise given his previous education. Looking back, I think we should have invested more time in those skills before the start of the programme. This would have meant that when it started, it was easier to things pick up."
What are some of the takeaways from the AMID Masterclasses, a short programme for seasoned professionals, you're taking?
Marnix: "It's been a blast! It opens your mind to new perspectives. I've enjoyed meeting new people who challenge me to question things I've just assumed. I've applied to this academic programme to add value to Macheo."
Macheo is a NonProfit Organisation in Thika, Kenya. lt helps disadvantaged children and their families in urban slums and rural regions. Macheo means 'sunrise' in Kiswahili. 'Sunrise' means having as many children as possible grow up happily in a safe, caring and stimulating environment that promotes their potential.
Laila Bouallouch (Dutch embassy in South Sudan)
Read Laila's storyAMID Young Professional has given me the opportunity to get a foot in the field of development cooperation.
Prof. dr. Dirk-Jan Koch (Radboud University)
Read Dirk-Jan's storyIn the AMID Leadership Programme, we work in a small group to strengthen executives' knowledge, skills and personal development to increase their organisation's impact.
Involving several AMID trainees in the partnerships and work setting of Kerk in Actie definitely brought new insights, energy and inspiration.
Daan Verbaan has been working with AMID Young Professional trainees from his organisation Kerk in Actie for many years. He shares his experiences with and the added value of this programme in his organisation.
"Offering AMID trainees an opportunity to work within Kerk in Actie means to engage them in a commitment to fostering partnerships with different countries. Through collaborating with diverse international partners, we offer trainees the experience to appreciate the power of flexibility and the richness of cultural diversity. This can create the transformative potential that emerges when we think ourselves across borders, which I also experienced in working in a team for programs of international youth exchange.
Involving several AMID trainees in the partnerships and work setting of Kerk in Actie definitely brought new insights, energy and inspiration. It enriched me to contribute better to the field of international development through coordinating impactful programs at Kerk in Actie. "I am 59, feeling very much privileged and inspired to accompany local partners and churches abroad in their work for development & humanitarian response activities in Ukraine, Moldova and Poland in order to make this world a better place."
A career in development cooperation isn’t the only way a person can have real impact.
Mayanka Vij participated as a trainee in the AMID Young Professional training programme, a unique master's programme that matches ambitious young professionals with organisations with sustainability ambitions.
"Reflecting on my academic journey with AMID in 2018, one poignant memory stands out: our entire class was standing in a circle and the premise of the exercise was to assess how different people perceived the same issues and whether others could influence their thinking. It was a thought-provoking exercise, it led to some debate and I recall a particular moment when one classmate expressed fatigue from repetitive discussions on (in my opinion) a critical issue and another emphasized the significance of continuous dialogue.
Both statements elicited strong reactions from the rest of the group and though they were polarising (to a degree), the class was empathetic to both perspectives. It was that experience that really shone light on the agility of the AMID group, the careful considerations we afforded to different sides of an argument and never jumped to the most obvious conclusions.
I have witnessed various challenges and limitations inherent to the development sector and it is what continues to reaffirm my belief in sustained multi-disciplinary collaboration and dialogue. Whether it be in a personal or professional capacity, everyone can play a role in challenging biases and antiquated notions that influence the way development cooperation is thought of and done. A career in development cooperation isn’t the only way a person can have real impact!"
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The AMID community aims to create impact on the Sustainable Development Goals through education. By bridging the gap between academia, policy and practice, we create a solid understanding of sustainable development issues from different and interdisciplinary perspectives. We aim to reflect this diversity of actors working to create meaningful impact. Will you join us?