Master in Development Management (MDM) 2018 students conducted a peer class on 19 June 2018 where they presented how different Asian countries handle the execution of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Thirty-one participants from government agencies, non-government organizations, and private companies involved in CSR and sustainability attended the class.

The peer class highlighted the achievements, challenges, and opportunities to advance the SDGs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, and the Philippines. Participants also had a chance to share their insights and experiences with SDGs in line with their development work and careers.

Muniyat Fabbiha, one of the masteral candidates who spoke during the peer class, used to think that the challenges her country faced were unique. “The peer class was actually eye opening because we saw that these are actually challenges that are common to [all] countries.”

“We got to see what the good practices are from other countries and it got us thinking if we could also adopt these practices,” Fabbiha added.

The MDM program is housed under AIM’s Stephen Zuellig Graduate School of Development Management. The School works with the SDG agenda to create principled development leaders and managers of relevance.

“The things I learned that day about other countries, it will remain in my memory longer than [if I had just read] a book,” said Tshering Peldoen, who also presented during the peer class.

The peer class was inspired by the working papers of the MDM students, which were written as part of their Developmental Economics course under Professor Nihal Amerasinghe.

“It was a good learning experience for me,” said Kitchie Hermoso, another masteral candidate. “I think it’s a good way to let others know what the MDM program is like.”