Executive Program on Development Policies and Practices (DPP)

The Executive Program on Development Policies and Practices (DPP) is delivered in partnership with the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) in Geneva, Switzerland with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Canton of Geneva, and Qatar Scholarships - a program led by Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD). The program explores some of the most pressing development issues and will equip students with the skills to elaborate innovative solutions. By immersing themselves in one of six regional hubs, they will be better able to link local realities to the global context.

For more information about the program and applications: executive.graduateinstitute.ch/dpp
For more information about the Graduate Institute, Geneva: executive.graduateinstitute.ch
For more information about the Qatar Fund for Development: qatarfund.org.qa/en

Degrees awarded by the Geneva Graduate Institute

Certificate of Advanced Studies in Development Policies and Practices (15 ECTS)
Diploma of Advanced Studies in Development Policies and Practices (30 ECTS)

Program Focus

The Development Policies and Practices degrees will enable students to:

Learn about key concepts, actors, policies, and debates to better link their local realities to the global context.
Acquire strategic management tools to improve their projects and/or formulate new strategies, from a long-term perspective.
Sharpen their professional skills and critical thinking to elaborate innovative solutions and become more agile in decision-making.
Conduct a professional thesis to deepen their expertise and recommend concrete and effective changes in their working environment.
Strengthen their leadership and communication skills to gain influence and better interact with different types of stakeholders.
Expand their professional network to develop synergies and exchange best practices on topics of common interest.

Program Highlights

Module 1 | Full-time | CAS & DAS

3 weeks in one of our regional hubs and 2 weeks online
- Get critical perspectives on key problems related to global development challenges
- Analyse region-specific issues and interactions between policies, practices, and stakeholders
- Rethink projects using strategic management tools, with a long-term perspective
- Acquire methodological skills to carry out a professional thesis
Module 2 | Part-time | DAS

4 months at the student's workplace with e-learning
- Conduct data collection and analysis for a professional thesis
- Write a professional thesis (on a job-related theme)
- Attend elective e-learning courses on different topics, including gender
Module 3 | Full-time | DAS

2.5 weeks in international Geneva
- Strengthen their leadership and communication skills
- Present the findings of their professional thesis to their peers
- Participate in work sessions with public administrations, international organisations, and NGOs

Executive Program on Development Policies and Practices (DPP)