Personal Statement

Personal Statement

I am Rev. Eric Mustapha, a Methodist Minister for over 10 years. My blood is passionate about social justice. I already possess degree in Theology, Law and a postgraduate degree in Development Studies. I believe that studies of policies equip students to develop and practice analytical skills in order to fully comprehend societal problems. With such understanding, adequate policies are developed to combat those short comings in societies which are being the contemporary issues. Therefore, I have chosen to study this subject, in order that a conscious intervention is made in the contemporary society to salvage the perpetual degeneration of societal values and livelihoods. As a Minister; I have immense experience in dealing with people; a legal adviser and a development practitioner, I represent the Methodist Relief and Development Fund in London. This study will create a huge impact in penetrating the affairs of government and societal issues adequately, practically and academically.

Currently as the Methodist Minister of the largest Methodist church in the UK, and the Legal adviser, certified by Office of Immigration Services Commission (OISC), I have learnt to listen keenly to people's problems through which I can engage myself in society's joys and troubles. Such engagements enabled me to work as a team, be more conscious and compassionate about those who fall in societal traps of poverty and deprivation. My legal background has helped me out to comprehend, rationalise and analyse different circumstances that had always put me in better position to make sensible and practical responses.

These experiences have influenced my choice of subject because I work and live in this community, and I have seen the changes in attitude towards other ethnic groups, procedures in accommodating young people within the church and the community, and triggered the acceptance of ethnic groups within the Methodist church like the Association of Black Methodist Youth. Through these works, I successfully ignited the flame of community cohesion through which “beauty in diversity “is annually celebrated within the Walworth Methodist Church.

I have served in many capacities that demands decision making. I am a serving trustee in three charities and a chairman of one. I have served as a Trustee for the Methodist Relief and Development Fund and given advice to many Non-Governmental Organisations on policy matters. I have also worked with the young and the elderly disable and the able poor and the rich, the sick and the healthy in Africa, Germany and the UK. My roles in all of the above mentioned disciplines have been crucial, especially in deciding the welfare of the disadvantaged in different parts of the world. By the help of offering these roles, I have earned skills for becoming a policy maker. These skills including communication make me able to relate to all irrespective background, sex or age, IT skills, decision making, conflict resolution and working alongside with people in a team.

Policy Studies had great impact on my professional and educational life since I started my postgraduate degree in Development ...