For the second consecutive summer, KDI students gathered together with OECD experts to discuss issues of inequality in the developing world and the policies that could help improve the situation.

During the 10 day course students were instructed on how the OECD strives to achieve their goals. The participants and the instructors explored various development strategies in Latin America and Africa, paying keen attention to current issues concerning development.     

The students worked diligently to gain a deeper understanding of the work done to gain a fairer, better, and stronger economic growth in the developing world. More importantly, they also strategized on what role they might play in the economic growth of their respective countries and regions. 

Two students shares their perspectives with the Globe:

Sombo Kaweza, 2012 MDP, Zambia- “I think the course was very interesting and relevant. Lain America was well covered with analysis of specific cases. However the perspectives on Africa were too general and therefore fell short of expectations.”

Eli Cardona, Guatemala, MDP, 2012 – “I learnt how Latin America has different development programmes than Africa, Asia, and North America. Our development history is unique and we are not always able to apply models from other regions. We have to create our own models to achieve Latin American development.”

Over 40 students completed the course taught by three OECD economists, Rolando Avendaño, Sebastian Nieto Parra, and Jean-Philippe Stijns.  Plans are already underway for the third annual OECD lecture series scheduled for next summer.

By Florence Goldson (2012 MDP, Belize)