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 earned a coveted place on a globally competitive short course run by the University of Cambridge in the UK, tagged “Key Essentials: Sustainable Development Goals and the Law”.
The course is part of the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice (DemEd Global) course, organised jointly by Lucy Cavendish College and Hughes Hall at the University of Cambridge, in partnership with global institutions.
The selection of Donkor follows a rigorous application process that attracted more than 1,400 applicants from across the world.
In a congratulatory message from Jo Watterson, the newly appointed programme co-ordinator for the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice course at Lucy Cavendish College, Donkor won plaudits for the strength and clarity of his application, which stood out among hundreds of submissions.
“We were impressed with your application and are pleased to offer you a place,” the statement read.
The short online course, though valued at over £800, will be delivered at no cost to selected participants, thanks to a generous donor. It is scheduled to run from 1 to 14 September 2025, and will offer a unique blend of self-paced modules and live engagement sessions designed to deepen participants’ understanding of how legal systems and governance frameworks interact with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) globally.
Participants will be granted access to course materials via Moodle by 29 August, ahead of the live orientation session on 1 September (1pm-2.30pm BST). A second live session is scheduled for 12 September, during which learners will engage further with global experts, guest speakers and fellow participants.
All sessions are delivered virtually, making the course accessible across time zones and regions.
Course outline
This online short course is structured into six comprehensive modules, beginning with Module 1, which provides a course introduction and orientation.
Module 2 focuses on the principles and practices of sustainable development law, while Module 3 explores the law and practice of the SDGs in the global economy. Module 4 examines the application of law and the SDGs within the global biosphere, and Module 5 addresses their relevance and implementation in global society.
The course concludes with Module 6, which offers a summary and reflection on the entire program.
In total, participants will commit between eight to ten hours of learning through pre-recorded videos, PowerPoint presentations, expert readings, and interactive discussions.
Upon successful completion, they will receive a certificate jointly issued by Lucy Cavendish College and Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, as well as access to a global mentorship network, sustainability career support and an international community of practice.
Appreciation/opportunity
Reacting to the development, Bright Donkor thanked Peter Asiedu, executive director of the Nurture Nature Foundation (NNF), for sharing the academic opportunity, which encouraged him to submit his application.
“I sincerely thank Mr Peter Asiedu for sharing this academic opportunity, which compelled me to tender my application. His encouragement came at a crucial time when I was seeking to deepen my impact in the field of sustainable development,” Donkor said.
He described the opportunity as a “timely boost” to his personal commitment to promoting sustainable development and environmental justice across Ghana and beyond.
“I believe this is a significant honour, not just for me, but for the Briphildon Foundation and all those striving to integrate legal accountability and policy reforms into sustainable community development. As I prepare to engage with international peers and experts in the coming weeks, I’m filled with a renewed sense of purpose,” Donkor further said.
