Master of International Development Policy (MIDP)
In 2020-21, expert faculty at the Duke Center for International Development redoubled their efforts to provide quality teaching to global change makers enrolled in the Master of International Development Policy Program. As a result of the ongoing pandemic, DCID adapted the MIDP program by offering 14 online and 20 hybrid courses for the 181 MIDP fellows and other graduates attending classes remotely during the 2020-21 academic year.
The MIDP revised its admission requirements so that those who have seven or more years of relevant work experience but lack an advanced degree are admissible for the one-year degree option.
Recruiting efforts have expanded to include virtual webinars and sessions. Thirty-one recruiting events were offered during the 2020-21 recruiting season. A new communications director and digital marketing specialist are also helping to strengthen the MIDP program's marketing efforts. Additionally, the International Tax and Public Financial Management Program (IT-PFM) is now offered as a concentration in the MIDP program.
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COUNTRIES REPRESENTED BY
MIDP ALUMNI
“The MIDP program introduced me to different perspectives from different nations and good people from all around the world. This is also part of that experience. Not only the education, but also these connections and this network you build.”
Selim Selimi (MIDP ’10)
Minister of Justice, KosovoMaster's Projects Highlights
2021 MIDP Internships
Government of Saudi Arabia
UNICEF
Sanitation and Water for All
Mongolia National Statistics Office
UN Women
PartnersGlobal
Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences
United Nations Secretariat, New York
Center for Medical Training and Research (CIDEIM)
Inter-American Development Bank
UNC-Chapel Hill Center for AIDS Research
Govuka
International Focus
Global Fund for Women
Xiamen Physically Disabled People's Federation
Phyllis Pomerantz Retires, Named Professor Emeritus
Phyllis Pomerantz has retired after 15 years as professor of the practice at DCID. In June 2021, MIDP alumni joined faculty, staff and friends from around the world who came together for a virtual celebration of her contributions to the MIDP, DCID and Duke, and to recognize her new status as professor emeritus. During her tenure, Phyllis taught graduate seminars on aid effectiveness, global poverty reduction, leadership, and governance in the MIDP program. She chaired and served on many faculty review and promotion committees, advised on MIDP policies, practices and the curriculum, and served on DCID’s management committee. She also served as the director of graduate studies during a critical period of transition. Prior to joining DCID, Phyllis worked at the World Bank for more than 25 years before retiring as chief learning officer in 2005.
Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center
In April 2021, the Rotary Peace Center held its 18th Annual Virtual Conference. More than 400 registered for the event.
One of only seven such centers in the world, the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center is funded by a grant from the Rotary Foundation. Each year, the Rotary Peace Center selects and trains Rotary Peace Fellows based on their ability to have a significant, positive impact on world peace and conflict resolution during their future careers.
In 2020-21, the Rotary Center accepted 10 fellows for the 2020-21 academic year, five of whom enrolled in the MIDP program. In April 2021, the Center held its 18th Annual Spring Conference over Zoom due to the ongoing pandemic. Over 400 registered to hear the nine graduating Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Fellows speak about their visions for and work in service of peace and resilience in a post-COVID-19 world.
The nine graduating Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Fellows spoke about their visions for and work in service of peace and resilience in a post-COVID-19 world.
DCID also renewed its partnership agreement with the Rotary Foundation for another three years. The Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center is one of the four original centers established by Rotary in 2002.
Duke Graduates Earn International Development Certificates
DCID awarded 27 Certificates in International Development Policy to graduate students from other programs and schools including the Sanford School of Public Policy Master of Public Policy (MPP), Nicholas School of the Environment (NSOE), and various Master’s programs in the Duke Graduate School.
DCID Awards Inaugural Eva Staton Scholarships
DCID was pleased to award three MIDP Fellows the inaugural Eva Staton Scholarship: Monica Rolong (Colombia), Alan Medina (Mexico) and Diana Padilla (Mexico). An endowment for select MIDP Fellows from Latin America and/or the Caribbean, the award is geared towards helping create a cadre of policy leaders committed to returning to and working for the betterment of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Graduation 2021
On May 5, 2021, twenty-five MIDP graduates and 27 International Development Policy Certificate recipients participated in Sanford’s graduation ceremony.
Alumni engagement
To enhance alumni professional development, DCID piloted a virtual course to help refresh communications skills for MIDP alumni. Titled “Writing & presenting for impact: A refresher in international policy communication,” the course gave participants an opportunity to refresh their writing and presentation skills on international policy issues. Over 6o MIDP alumni signed up for the course.
“The MIDP program opened many doors for me. I joined the program when I was working in the Malawi Ministry of Finance as a junior officer. Soon after finishing the master’s program, I was promoted to a senior position. I also got admitted into a PhD program at a prestigious school... The MIDP program made all of this possible.”