Regional SAAC

Each MDP Institution should have 2-3 representatives, all of whom sit on their respective Regional SAAC.  The regions are (East Asia, South Asia, Africa, North America, Latin America, and Europe).  See the most recent list of MDP programs by regions here.

Regional SAACs are responsible for:

1. Coordinating regional SAAC interests
2. Reporting activities to the Global SAAC Leaders
3. Communicating with the Global SAAC  Leaders when required
4. Providing MDP curriculum input to the MDP Secretariat
5. Electing two to three representatives to the Global SAAC

Regional SAACs should:

1. Establish themselves.  With information provided by your Global SAAC Leader, contact your regional schools and set up a meeting.  The Global SAAC Leader from your region can assist you  with the initial meeting.
2. Ensure the group is familiar with the SAAC Constitution and establish a chair and other positions.  The Global SAAC Leader will hold elections in the summer for 2-3 new representatives from each regional SAAC.
3. Ensure information flow between MDP students and the Regional and Global SAACs.

SAAC Regional Leadership

WE finally have a SAAC leadership team in place for five of the six regions of the MDP network.  We are in need of someone from South East Asia to volunteer as the regional SAAC leader for the area.  Please contact Nnamdi XXX, to learn more about the position or if you are interested. Following are the 2021-2022 SAAC leaders for Europe, North America,  East Asia and Africa.

SAAC Regional Leadership

WE finally have a SAAC leadership team in place for five of the six regions of the MDP network.  We are in need of someone from South East Asia to volunteer as the regional SAAC leader for the area.  Please contact Nnamdi Umunnabuike, to learn more about the position or if you are interested. Following are the 2021-2022 SAAC leaders for Europe, North America,  East Asia and Africa.

Esther pursues the Global Master of Development Practice at the Trinity College Dublin after having received a BA from the TU Dresden in International Relations, covering international law, economics, and politics. Alongside, she has participated in programs provided by CHARM-EU, HarvardX, and completed a semester abroad at the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso in Chile focusing on indigenous peoples’ rights and sustainable development.

Throughout her academic, social, and professional experiences, Esther has developed a strong interest in the intersection of climate justice and human rights. Her research activities for CBM Ireland and the Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence (ICGBV) have sensitized her to the (in)visibility of marginalized groups in development and humanitarian contexts, which she aims to advocate for as a member of different NGOs, devoted to social justice. She is board member of the Global Development Society and the Green Campus Committee, and Climate Action Ambassador of Ireland. She has gained professional experience in development cooperation during her positions for the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). As the European Students and Alumni Advisory Council (SAAC) of the Global Association of Masters of Development Practice, Esther aims to build a community of equal opportunity and mutual relationship through creative and participatory approaches from the regional to the global level.

Kate is in her third year, of five, earning a Masters in Global Development Practice through Harvard Extension School. Kate received a BA in Mass Communication from the University of Maine in Orono, with additional summer classes – Global Politics and American Media at UC Berkeley, and a study abroad semester complete with internship in a small but mighty guerilla marketing and public relations outfit in London through Boston University.

Kate is passionate about helping people and planet, as evidenced from her many dream jobs over the past twelve years working in sustainability and community efforts – through philanthropy at the intersection of business and non-profit organizations, through public engagement in the arts and entertainment industry, and most recently through partnerships and program development with schools, businesses, non-profits, and government agencies as the grants manager and coordinator for a public school district Farm to School Program, in part funded by two USDA grants. Kate is interested in behavior change, partnerships, good governance, measuring success, and effective communication for foundations, corporations, and government agencies working toward a cooperative, just, and livable future for all around the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As the North America Regional Chair Kate looks forward to building and mobilizing student engagement and connectivity at Harvard, and across sister Global Development Practice programs.

Mariana Reyes is a master’s degree student under the International Program in Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the National Taiwan University. Her research interests include coral restoration, benthic communities, climate change, and community-based sustainable development. Furthermore, her background in International Politics and Climate Change and Sustainable Development is essential in understanding barriers to sustainable development goals and finding solutions in achieving climate justice. Moreover, she is a CMAS scuba diving instructor in the Chinese Taipei Underwater Federation.

Eva is a completing student of Global Master of Development Practice from University of Botswana. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Diploma in Practical Theology, Diploma in Business Management. She was an IFAD researcher under MDP/ IFAD partnership project placed in Bangladesh where she assessed several value chain projects aimed improving rural livelihoods and commercializing agriculture.

She is currently working as a National programs director for one of the international Social development NGOs working with communities and children. Throughout her professional experience Eva has developed keen interest in issues of community development, child rights,research, women empowerment, poverty reduction and fund development. She has held leadership positions across professional platforms and community organizations across the country.

In her free time Eva runs a social enterprise which works with NGOs on matters of capacity development, fund development and program design. She is also the current Africa Chair for SAAC.

Adolfo Argüello Vives holds a master’s degree in public policy from King’s College London, UK, and a master’s degree in development practice from Sciences Po, France. He serves as finance chair of the board at the National Evaluation Academy (Mexico), where he promotes evaluation techniques in Mexico. He coordinates the preparation of public projects and cost-benefit evaluations. He was the president of the Innovation and Leadership in Government Network 2018-2020, acting as an innovation in government mentor at the Global Competitiveness Leadership (GCL) Program and the representative at the GCL Advisory Committee.

In his work, Adolfo draws on considerable experience as a consultant for large infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on development effectiveness and fostering competitiveness. He served as the chief planning officer at the Ministry of Tourism in Chiapas, Mexico. He is certified by APMG in public-private partnerships. In 2016, he completed the Innovation and Leadership in Government Program from the Latin American Board at Georgetown University, USA.

As Latin America Regional Chair, Adolfo seeks to build a network of students and alumni not only based in the subcontinent, but inclusive of the Global MDP alumni interested in exchanging knowledge on the implementation of policies and research that impact the SDGs.