July 18, 2006
Clark Institute for Economic Policy hosts scholars from Africa
Program considers development issues from key sources
Worcester, Mass. - The Institute for Economic Policy Studies at Clark University is hosting the first African Outreach Program,"Democracy, Liberty and Development," July 20 through August 3. Participants from Burkina Faso, Ghana and Senegal, along with American scholars will participate in the two-week program.
The IEPS is dedicated to finding new solutions to current economic challenges facing developing countries in Africa. Committed to the idea that economic literacy is critical for responsible policy making, Institute members aim to promote economic education through seminars, dialogue, and position papers. In all efforts, the goal is to further understanding of economic issues and policy questions and to encourage greater participation of the intended groups in determining and shaping the course of their economies.
The Honorable Joseph Pare, Minister of Secondary, Higher Education and Scientific Research of Burkina Faso, will deliver the keynote address at 8 p.m., July 20, following an opening session and dinner at the Worcester Club, Oak Street, Worcester.
Invited speaker Gordon Tullock will present a public lecture,"The Fall of Africa," at 9 a.m. Friday, July 21, in the Attiat F. Ott Seminar Room on the first floor of Jonas Clark Hall.
Tullock is University Professor of Law and economics and Distinguished Fellow in the James M. Buchanan Center for Political Economy at George Mason University. Tullock is one of the founders of public choice theory. He was a candidate for the Nobel Prize in Economics 2003. His book,"The Social Dilemma – The Economics of War and Revolution," is one of the foundations for the readings assigned to participants in the Africa Outreach Program.
College teachers in Economics will take part in educational research set up by the Institute in consultation with African Universities and Institutes. The Outreach Scholars programs are designed so that participants will be able to participate in scholarly meetings in the United States and elsewhere by facilitating exchanges of ideas and cooperative research with scholars in the United States.
Session topics include"Democracy, Autocracy and Development,""Africa: Development in Reverse—The Economics of Civil War, Mass Killing, and Post-Conflict," and"The Rise of Microfinance."
"Education is not just about lectures, conferences, research, books and papers," says IEPS President and Clark Research Professor Attiat F. Ott."It has to have a personal dimension. You can only access and cultivate this dimension through interpersonal contact. American scholars can be somewhat removed from these interpersonal relations with scholars from countries outside the United States – especially scholars from developing countries."
For program details, visit: http://www.iespolicy.org.
The IEPS has its antecedent in the Institute for Economic Studies at Clark University's Economics Department, established in 1980. Although similar in scope in that both Institutes provide a framework within which international scholars engage in cooperative research and exchange of ideas, the Institute for Economic Policy Studies' mission is focused on Africa.
"In a free society, public participation is key for safeguarding freedom. To participate, one needs to be informed; however, information is costly both in terms of time and money. The Institute's fundamental objective is lowering the cost of participation."
The African Outreach Program is also supported by Clark's College of Professional and Continuing Education as well as a grant from the Earhart Foundation of Ann Arbor, MI.