Gastbeitrag von: Estelle Schnyder, MIA, Course Assistant
This May, 19 HSG students had the opportunity to discuss such poverty related issues and more at the World Bank HQs in Washington D.C. A Group of MIA, MEcon and MiQef students had the once in a lifetime possibility to apply for the Practical Project World Bank elective course in the Spring semester of 2013, taught by the former Executive Director of the World Bank for Switzerland, Mr. Pietro Veglio, himself. The course entailed three full days of lectures and seminars in St. Gallen, in which the students first gained valuable initial knowledge on the World Bank and its projects, and then divided themselves into groups to discuss and work on their projects that they would then present in front of World Bank employees. The projects, which were all of immensely high standards, included the following topics:
– Improving Health Care Through Mobile Technology: Suggestions for Kenya.
– Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Africa’s Great Lakes Region.
– How is the World Bank coping with the Social Consequences of Climate Migration in The Philippines, Bangladesh and Tuvalu?
– Tensions between International and Domestic Assessments of Poverty: Implications for Government Policies in South Africa.
– The Role of the World Bank in the Global Deployment of CCS.
In May 2013, the students travelled to the World Bank HQs in Washington D.C., where they had the opportunity to present and discuss their projects with experts in the respective fields. The World Bank staff was impressed, and congratulated the students on their hard work and efforts. Besides three excellent days of debate and discussion, the trip also entailed a working session with the current Executive Director and his team, a catered lunch with the HR department to learn about employment opportunities, and a successful meeting with the Swiss Executive Director of the IMF. I believe I speak for all of the students when I would like to once again thank Mr. Veglio for his wonderful efforts, and for an excellent course. I highly recommend it to any student – it will be an educational experience you won’t forget.