Mastering global challenges: Revamped Postgraduate Programme for Sustainability Cooperation

Press release of 29 August 2024

Bonn, 29 August 2024. The postgraduate training programme at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), formerly the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE), is becoming the ‘Postgraduate Programme for Sustainability Cooperation’ (PGP). In its sixtieth year, the programme is undergoing fundamental changes in order to continue successfully promoting skills for international cooperation.

How can we reshape social, political and economic systems to make them sustainable? How can we work together on global solutions for the future in a multipolar, conflict-prone world? These are questions the 18 participants in the Postgraduate Programme for Sustainability Cooperation (PGP) will be addressing from 1 September 2024. Over the course of nine months, they will be prepared for a career in international cooperation. The programme has been qualifying university graduates who want to start their career in international cooperation, both professionally and personally, since 1964.

The reorientation reflects the central goal of strengthening the skills of postgraduates for changing transnational and international cooperation, equip them with scientific rigor and independence as well as tested self-management. These are relevant leadership skills, necessarily for jointly shaping sustainable futures.

“The changing professional environment and new global challenges, such as shifts in the global balance of power and complex requirements for cooperation with local partners, require a new focus in training”, explains Dr Sven Grimm, Head of IDOS-Training. “Jointly tackling global challenges and developing and implementing problem-solving strategies with partner organisations are more important than ever. Our partner organisations are more self-confident and clearly demand, for example, reflection on (post)colonial patterns in cooperation and work on honest partnerships.”

The participants nurture cooperation competencies by working in teams on an empirical, applied, and policy-relevant research project. These teams focus in particular on issues of German and European cooperation with Asia, Africa and Latin America. Through the joint leadership of the teams by IDOS researchers and partner institutions, and the collaboration with postgraduates from these institutions, equal research partnerships and content-related exchanges and negotiation processes are fostered.

“Another goal is to make the programme more diverse. For example, we are strengthening its international focus: We are welcoming international participants for the first time. We are also introducing a scholarship from this year. It will support participants financially and thus facilitate access to the programme”, says Dr Simone Christ, Head of the Postgraduate Programme.

“The IDOS Postgraduate Programme is a springboard for talented young people who want to get involved in international cooperation and sustainable development. It offers a unique opportunity to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience and to network with experts. I am convinced that the graduates of the programme will make important contributions to shaping a fairer and more sustainable world”, emphasises Leontine von Levetzow, Head of Division Z11 - General Personnel Affairs at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The Postgraduate Programme for Sustainability Cooperation offers comprehensive modules on key issues of international cooperation and policy advice. In addition, it promotes the development of professional competences and supports participants in preparing for their career entry. The target group includes Master's graduates up to five years after graduation who wish to start a career in international cooperation.

Participation in the programme provides access to international networks, in particular through Managing Global Governance (MGG) and Shaping Futures (SF). IDOS also runs these training and dialogue formats which are aimed at graduates from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. This strengthens long-term connections and the exchange of knowledge among participants and alumni. The PGP alumni network now comprises over 1000 people.

This video gives you an insight into the reform measures. UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner congratulates the programme on its 60th anniversary, IDOS Director Prof. Anna-Katharina Hornidge and Head of the Programme Dr Simone Christ explain how they are jointly shaping the future of the renowned Postgraduate Programme.

The programme is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.