Economic Development Certificate

Start Date: Apr 3, 2013 2:00 PM
End Date: May 29, 2013 2:00 PM

Microfinance and beyond: "Practical Solutions for serving the poor"

What is economic development? This class explores major case studies and gives students the opportunity to create plans that address economic development needs at three levels:


1. Programs for the bottom of the pyramid: Individual-level interventions such as microfinance, savings cooperatives, vocational centers and mobile technologies as they effect the lives of the poor

2. The Missing Middle: Building business for the poor and growing a middle class in under-resourced nations

3. Serving the nation: Country-wide fiscal policy, foreign direct investment and the roles and ramifications of international aid.

This certificate will prepare students to approach the problems of global poverty from a thoughtful perspective geared towards creating holistic programs that empower individuals and communities to lift themselves out of poverty utilizing market principles and innovative technologies.