Course overview
This course is taught by a global expert and is uniquely action-oriented. The course builds on new materials from the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) to help you build your capacity to contribute to achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It outlines developments in law and policy as they relate to the UN SDGs and shows you how to meet international SDG treaty requirements and address critical public policy challenges. It will enable you to implement and report on SDGs at local, regional, national and international levels in alignment with the 2030 Agenda.
It culminates in your creation of a SDG Action Plan where you will review key targets under two of your priority SDGs. Along the way you will identify how you would make changes to laws in your country to better align with international treaty laws.
You will walk away with a plan of action – and know how to replicate this process with existing tools across a variety of SDGs and targets.
What will I learn?
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- summarise and evaluate the origins and foundations of international law and governance on sustainable development
- assess legal and institutional barriers and related reforms, for SDG implementation worldwide
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recommend improvements to legal and policy instruments to advance the SDGs, taking into consideration different national contexts
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devise negotiation, implementation and reporting strategies on the SDGs at local, regional, national and international levels
- connect current and emerging global law and public policy initiatives to responsibilities and opportunities to advance the SDGs
- apply your knowledge and understanding of emerging developments in sustainable development law, policy and governance in new contexts
- identify and pursue global career opportunities.
Who is this course for?
This course is aimed at:
- government officials, officers, and analysts
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public policy practitioners
- lawyers
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academics and researchers
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professionals.
Course delivery
Our certificated courses reflect the Cambridge experience and values, with low student to tutor ratios and academically rigorous standards. Our learning model is designed to help you advance your skills and specialise in emerging areas that address global challenges. We will help you build your network through an engaging and impactful learning journey that encourages collaboration. Courses are delivered in weekly modules, allowing you to plan your time effectively. The assessment criteria will be presented to you at the start of the course, so you can approach your studies with confidence and motivation, knowing what is expected of you and how to meet those expectations.
Throughout your online learning experience, you will have access to your course tutor, who will help facilitate your learning and provide you with support and guidance during your studies. You can interact with your tutor through a range of media, such as live sessions, discussion forums, email or canvas messaging.
Each course includes a balance of:
- interactive learning and real-world application so you can directly apply what you’re learning to your own context
- diverse teaching methods to enhance learning outcomes which will be delivered via learning activities such as University of Cambridge academic led videos, quizzes and group work
- optional live sessions (1 hour) with University of Cambridge academics and tutors to deepen your understanding of the week's material. These sessions may include an informal Q&A, a short lecture or a breakout activity that builds on the content introduced that week. All sessions are recorded and made available to stream so you can catch up whenever suits you
- guided critical thinking via our reflective workbook so you can collect, structure and summarise information and your thoughts as you progress through the course.
What will I get on completion?
Evidence your learning with a Certificate of Achievement from the University of Cambridge on successful completion
