Advocacy and Social Action Development Program

The University of Bedfordshire's Centre for Sustainable Development, Energy Transitions, and Climate Change is excited to offer an advocacy and social action development program. This hands-on program will provide participants with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to address social action, sustainable development, and environmental challenges.

This program is an excellent opportunity for young, critical thinkers who aspire to become change-makers, transformative leaders, and grassroots advocates driving positive change within their communities. It is open to all disciplines, students, mid and early career individuals, fostering an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability.

The program offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in sustainability and climate change while making a tangible impact in your community. This opportunity is more than just a milestone—it is a platform to refine your leadership skills, engage in critical discourse, and implement actionable solutions for the most pressing challenges in sustainability, human rights, climate justice, and social impact. We encourage you to approach this journey with curiosity, resilience, and a bold vision for change.

We look forward to seeing you embrace this opportunity, collaborate with fellow leaders, and make a lasting impact through advocacy and social action. Welcome to a community of visionaries, problem-solvers, and global advocates. We are excited to support you in this journey toward shaping a brighter and more sustainable future.

Apply now and take the first step toward becoming a future leader in sustainable development.

Let the transformation begin!

2025 Key Details

Duration: 5 weeks (one hour every wednesday for five weeks)
Dates: February 26; March 5, 12, 19 and 26
Time: 12:00-1:00PM UK Time
Eligibility: Open to students from accredited institutions
Learning Focus: Social action, sustainable development, environmental challenges, leadership, and community impact

WEEK ONE SPEAKER: Angela Nikolić-Duarte

THEME: Human Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's), Goal 3, Goal 4, Goal 5”

DATE: Wednesday, February 26th 2025; 12:00-1:00PM UK Time.

Legal Consultant | Business & Human Rights Expert

With over 14 years of experience in business and human rights, Angela Nikolić-Duarte is a seasoned legal consultant, having worked extensively across Latin and North America. She specializes in legal compliance, corporate accountability, and due diligence—ensuring businesses adhere to international labour standards, tax regulations, and human rights obligations. She has also led the development of legal compliance software to enhance corporate responsibility.

Angela has contributed to global human rights advocacy, working with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva. She supported UN treaty bodies in their direct dialogues with States Parties on conventions protecting migrants, persons with disabilities, women, and victims of enforced disappearances.

Academically, Angela holds an MSc in Law and Accounting from the London School of Economics and an LLM in Economic Law from Javeriana University. Currently, she is pursuing an LLM in International Human Rights Law at the University of Law, UK. Her research and publications focus on gender equality, employment law, and international labour standards.

Angela’s expertise in legal frameworks, human rights, and sustainable development will be a key highlight of this seminar, where she will provide critical insights into the role of legal compliance and advocacy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

View/Download the flyer on Advocacy and Social Action Development Program Week 1 [PDF]

Requirements for Certification and Special Recognition

Students who meet all participation and submission requirements listed below will be awarded a Certificate:

Full attendance and active participation in all 5 sessions
Weekly reflective posts on LinkedIn, tagging the University of Bedfordshire and the Centre for Sustainable Development, Energy Transitions, and Climate Change (posts will be shared and reposted)
A minimum 500-word reflective essay at the end of the internship, summarizing the key takeaways

Special Recognition: