Bright Philip Donkor earns Cambridge-affiliated certificate in Sustainable Development and Law
Bright Philip Donkor, the founder of the Briphildon Foundation, a non-profit organisation working to empower youth, assist the less privileged, promote civic participation and support sustainable development initiatives aimed at underserved communities in Ghana, has successfully completed an international short course on “Key Essentials: The Sustainable Development Goals and the Law.”
The training, offered under the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice (DemEd Global) programme, was jointly delivered by Lucy Cavendish College and Hughes Hall at the University of Cambridge.
Donkor was selected for the program following a rigorous application process that drew over 1,400 applicants worldwide. The short online course, worth over £800, was provided at no cost to successful participants, through the support of a generous donor.
In a formal letter signed by Joanna Watterson, the Programme Coordinator of Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice at Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, the organisers congratulated Donkor on his achievement and commended the high quality of his assessed work.
“We were delighted to have you participate as a learner and were impressed by the quality of your assessed work,” portions of the letter read. Donkor, who is a communications professional, also received praise for his valuable feedback, which organisers said would help improve the course for future participants.
*Transformative learning experience*
In his overall assessment of the program, Bright Philip Donkor described the course as a transformative learning experience, designed to equip leaders, policymakers, academics, and practitioners with the skills to analyze and advocate for sustainability. The program focused on emerging approaches to law and governance in addressing pressing global challenges, while also exploring frameworks for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their implications across the economy, biosphere, and systems of governance.
He mentioned that the course had broadened his understanding of the intersection between law, policy, and sustainable development.
“This course has deepened my appreciation of how law serves as a critical tool in scaling up solutions for global sustainability. I now see more clearly the responsibility of leaders and civil society practitioners to align national policies with international commitments, particularly in areas of climate action, governance, and equitable development,” he said.
He explained that participants studied the principles and practices of sustainable development law in areas such as trade, investment, finance, biodiversity, and environmental protection. He indicated that the modules, which featured case studies, UN frameworks, and interactive live sessions, had sharpened his ability to think critically about sustainability—not only from a Ghanaian perspective but also within the broader scope of international law.
*Insightful & Application*
The program, he added, offered deep insights into sustainable development law principles, governance systems, the global economy, and the biosphere. He praised the case studies and live sessions led by Professor Dr Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, a world-leading scholar and jurist in the field of sustainable development law and governance, who is also a Chair in Sustainable Development Law and Policy in the University of Cambridge.
He also commended Dr. Markus Gehring, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge, for his guidance throughout the program. Donkor believes the lessons acquired will directly influence his work in advocacy, governance, and community development. He noted that as Ghana grapples with challenges from environmental degradation to governance reforms, he intends to apply the knowledge gained to shape initiatives that empower citizens and strengthen accountability.
“This program has inspired me to contribute more intentionally to the conversations around sustainability and justice in Ghana. It has not only sharpened my career focus but also reaffirmed my commitment to advancing participatory governance and climate resilience. I am deeply grateful to Mr. Peter Asiedu, Executive Director of the Nurture Nature Foundation (NNF), for sharing this academic opportunity, which has paved the way for this achievement,” he further stated.
