IPED in South Africa

Sixteen Fordham students are currently studying in South Africa as part of an Emerging Markets Travel Program sponsored by Fordham's Graduate Program in International Political Economy and Development (IPED).

Fordham students in South Africa at the Nelson Mandela Square
in Sandton, the financial district of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Housed at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, the students are divided into five teams and spend most of their mornings collecting and analyzing South African economic and financial data. Their afternoons and Fridays are spent meeting various policy makers.

At the U.S. Embassy Fordham students discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the South Africa economy with the head of the U.S. Commercial Service. At the National Union of Metulurgy Workers, the students debated with the president of one of South Africa's largest unions over the appropriate government policies needed to deal with South Africa's severe unemployment problem.

At the South African Reserve Bank, the students analyzed South African monetary policy and the regulation of South African banks with one of their chief economists. The students will also be meeting with leaders from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Besides academic pursuits, the Fordham students have attended several social events, including a gala to recognize women of achievement in the South Africa economy, at which the students met the former first lady of South Africa, Zanele Mbeki, the governor of the South African Reseve Bank and all the CEO's of South Africa's major banks.

IPED's Emerging Markets Travel Program in South Africa is very grateful for the strong support that we have received from the University of Pretoria, the government of South Africa, and the government of the United States.

—Henry Schwalbenberg, Ph.D.