Management of International Development: Towards Agenda 2030

Management of International Development: Towards Agenda 2030, offered by Università Bocconi through Coursera, is an online course designed to help learners understand the evolving field of international development. It explores the international development architecture, its main actors and trends, and the systems used by international organizations to deliver development programs. The course also examines funding and financing tools linked to sustainable development goals and explains how human capital can support organizational effectiveness in a changing development environment. It is taught by Bocconi University and SDA Bocconi School of Management faculty, with input from senior professionals serving international organizations.

Core Content

The curriculum is structured across six modules and covers the main dimensions of international development management. It begins with goals, actors, and trends in international development, then moves into governance systems in international organizations, funding and financing for development, and the management of human capital in international settings. The course also addresses strategic perspectives from the UN system, international financial institutions, NGOs, and the EU, while introducing topics such as blended finance, impact investing, public-private partnerships, and talent management in international organizations.

Key Skills

Participants will develop the ability to understand the international development landscape and identify the major actors, governance systems, and strategic challenges shaping it. The course equips learners with skills in governance, international relations, cultural diversity, policy development, human resources, strategic partnership, international finance, stakeholder management, human capital, strategic thinking, and sustainable development. It also helps learners build a system-wide perspective on how international organizations operate and how development objectives are financed and managed in practice.

Target Learners

This course is designed for students, professionals, and learners interested in international development, global governance, and sustainable development. It is particularly relevant for those who want to understand how international organizations function, how development programs are financed, and how leadership and human capital shape institutional performance. Coursera presents it as a fundamentals-focused course, making it suitable for learners seeking an accessible but structured introduction to the management side of international development.

Learning Format

Hosted on Coursera, the course is delivered in a flexible online format with six modules and an estimated completion time of eight hours. The learning experience includes videos, assignments, and discussion prompts, allowing learners to engage with the material at their own pace. Coursera also notes that the course includes five assignments, is taught in English with 22 language options, and offers a shareable certificate upon completion.

Additional Benefits

The course offers practical value for learners who want to understand international development through both academic and practitioner perspectives. In addition to faculty from Bocconi University and SDA Bocconi School of Management, it includes insights from senior professionals working in international organizations, adding real-world relevance to the learning experience. Its focus on governance, financing, and human capital makes it especially useful for those interested in careers or responsibilities linked to development institutions, multilateral organizations, and global policy implementation.

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