Ontario International Development Agency
Humanitarian Programs for communities in Canada & worldwide

Conference

Non Political and Non Religious Foundation

IIDS

 Ontario Village 

 Program Concluded. Wait information for  2012
Professional Development and Training
Summer Program 2011
Certificate in Development Studies
July 20 - August 10
Event Location
West Residence Conference Complex
Laurentian University
935, Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6
CANADA
 

Introduction:
A Certificate in Development Studies is offered by the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Law at Laurentian University and the OIDA Institute of International Development Studies (IIDS) in Canada. This residency course in International Development Studies provides a solid grounding in international development concepts, theories and approaches. Participants are equipped with the analytical and practical skills they need to engage critically in development issues and debates from an interdisciplinary perspective, and to work across broad areas of development policy, research and practice.

The certificate course consists of three modules such as Level I, Level II and Level III.  

A Certificate in International Development Studies is an interdisciplinary program that offers participants a challenging program with promising career opportunities in the broad area of international development. It provides a richly textured, intellectually rigorous, and highly relevant curriculum that not only deals with the theories of development, but also explores ways in which different development organizations attempt to reach the poor and the needy. Through their collaboration, they are currently engaged in creating a more cohesive community of intellectual interest both within and outside of academia. 

Who should attend?
Development practitioners, project directors, and volunteers working with local or international NGOs, government officials, funding agencies, community leaders, extension workers, and relief workers making the transition to development (or post disaster reconstruction) will all benefit from this course. This course is open to everyone who would like to attend (irrespective of academic or professional background).

Program Description
Participants will emerge from the program with a thorough grounding in the history, debates, dimensions, institutional approaches, and critiques of the field. Given the program’s emphasis on building a bridge between academic discourse and development practice, the participants are expected to be able to evaluate the documents of the international donor community, including the World Bank, analyze the institutional language of development professionals, and know how to put together and implement a development research and/or delivery proposal.

The complex challenges of global poverty and development are making ever greater demands on those working in aid agencies, governments, NGOs and policy and research institutes. Meeting these challenges calls for creative development professionals who can apply and integrate critical thinking and practical experience from a wide range of perspectives, and can be innovative in seeking meaningful solutions.

The OIDA faculty is made up of leading researchers in a number of development fields and the program is designed so that participants benefit from knowledge of the very latest research and research methodologies. The OIDA Institute of International Development Studies provides a small, close-knit and supportive learning environment that encourages sharing of diverse perspectives, ideologies, disciplines and approaches to research.

Participants who successfully complete the  Certificate in  Development Studies can expect to understand the main development theories, concepts and debates in their historical and contemporary contexts, and apply this knowledge in their professional work, engage in an informed and critical way (in particular with political science, economics, sociology and anthropology), approach development problems with confidence and knowledge and have the ability to work collaboratively with others to identify solutions to global development challenges.

During the study period participants may be required to attend ten courses. These are taught through lectures, seminars and group tutorials. Participants may be required to write a 3,000 word essay under the supervision of an OIDA teaching staff member.  A range of Professional Skills for Development workshops are also offered during the three week period.

The OIDA Institute of Development Studies diploma holders are expected to be attractive candidates for employment in the field of international development with a critical and scholarly foundation to their professional skills. 

Certificate:
Participants who have successfully completed the program receive a Certificate in Development Studies from the OIDA Institute of International Development Studies (IIDS) in Canada.