Villa College significantly strengthened its engagement with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through policy development, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and research. Our college has maintained active partnerships with NGOs, contributing to the identification of key challenges, the development of SDG-aligned strategies, and raising awareness to create positive societal impacts. By engaging in initiatives such as panel discussions, impact assessments, and monitoring processes, Villa College has been a valuable participant in developing adaptive management solutions for long-term sustainability.
Some of the notable collaborations focusing on SDG policy are detailed below:
WHO Maldives - Stakeholder Engagement and Strategy Development: Villa College partnered with WHO Maldives and participated in a closed-door discussion on November 15, 2023, to contribute to the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy, specifically related to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Dr. Fazeela Ibrahim and Dr. Aishath Nasheeda from Villa College attended this session, providing valuable insights and suggestions to help refine health strategies within the Maldives.
PILC and Migrants Matter - Advocacy and Outreach: Focusing on SDGs 4, 8, and 10, Villa College’s collaboration with PILC and Migrants Matter centers on advocacy and outreach activities. On April 7, 2023, Villa College partnered with PILC and Migrants Matter in a joint volunteering initiative to support migrant rights. This campaign aimed to raise awareness about migrant rights and provide essential legal aid services, actively promoting inclusive and equitable quality education and fostering economic growth.
Equal Rights Initiative - Strategy Development: Through an MoU, Villa College and the Equal Rights Initiative jointly promote SDGs 4, 16, and 17 by enabling legal aid pro-bono activities, internships, and practical trainings. This partnership equips students with hands-on experience in human rights advocacy and law, fostering skills aligned with peace, justice, and strong institutional development.
Equal Rights Initiative, USAID Maldives, and NDI Maldives - Collaborative Research and Problem Identification: Villa College contributed to a two-day international conference on April 19-20, 2023, centered on the Political Process Monitoring Study on Access to Justice following NSAP reforms in the Maldives. This collaboration, aligned with SDGs 4, 8, 10, 16, and 17, provided a platform for students and professionals to enhance their understanding and support policy makers in promoting justice and equality.
Transparency Maldives - Advocacy and Outreach: On December 28, 2023, Villa College partnered with Transparency Maldives to deliver free legal aid to migrant workers, empowering students with skills under SDGs 4, 8, 10, and 16. This initiative supports both awareness of migrant rights and the development of students’ practical legal skills.
International Youth Edu-Skills Foundation - Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building: Villa College joined the International Volunteer Forum hosted by the International Youth Edu-Skills Foundation from October 13-16, 2023. The event aimed at SDG 16 gathered global leaders to exchange best practices for social impact, promoting peace, and community empowerment.
-1698814620.jpg)
UNFPA Maldives - Stakeholder Engagement and Strategy Development: On May 30, 2023, Villa College collaborated with UNFPA Maldives for a workshop discussing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) legislation in the Maldives. Representing Villa College, Dr. Fazeela Ibrahim contributed to dialogues on gender equality (SDG 16), furthering critical conversations on legislative improvements.
Health Protection Agency, Ministry of Health - Stakeholder Engagement and Strategy Development: Focused on SDG 3, Villa College collaborated with the Health Protection Agency on August 15-16, 2023. This engagement emphasized public health strategy refinement, fostering improved health and well-being outcomes through collaborative policy efforts.
Validation Workshop on Legal Education Regulation and Licensing Training Program - The Bar Council of Maldives led the commencement of the Validation Workshop for the Licensing Training Program (LTP). This significant event brings together stakeholders from the Bar, judiciary, state institutions, law schools, supervisors, and trainees to collectively formulate a groundbreaking training program for aspiring lawyers. Bar Council also conducted a Training of Trainers on the new proposed Licensing Training Program. This initiative was supported by UNDP Maldives with the generous backing of the UK Government and UK Aid from the British People, who has contributed continuous support in the development of Maldives' licensing regime. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment to advancing legal education and ensuring a robust framework for the next generation of legal professionals. This initiative started in 2021 and continued during 2023.
Environment and Social Development Association (ESDA), Delhi, India - Awareness and Education: Villa College took part in the 4th World Environment Summit 2023, organized by ESDA, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental sustainability and social upliftment. ESDA's initiatives align with several SDGs, focusing on environmental preservation, air and water conservation, and promoting gender equality and empowerment.
These partnerships underscore Villa College's commitment to fostering a sustainable and equitable society by addressing SDG-related challenges through research, advocacy, and collaborative policy development.