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Economics

Business development mentoring in Haiti, Kenya and Nicaragua

In summer and fall 2007, CSR assisted Roland Hoksbergen, professor of economics and international development, and student Jeremy Veenema in their evaluation of the Partners Worldwide “Million Mentors Initiative.”

In addition to other information sources, Hoksbergen and Veenema conducted a survey of the target population for the initiative, entrepreneurs and employees in small businesses in Haiti, Kenya and Nicaragua. Local field interviewers in each country conducted interviews with business owners and employees in the field, then returned to their home bases (often colleges and universities) and entered their data into web forms created by CSR (you can view preview versions of the forms for owners and employees). Hoksbergen and Veenema also received statistical analysis consulting support from CSR.

Their final report is posted here. They found strong evidence for the program’s effectiveness, with a total of 84 business associations, 6,419 individual members and 4,516 businesses across the three countries.

Environmentalism and the Economy

For anyone who is interested in environmentalism, especially issues of sustainability and energy resources, then come hear Fred Smith, founder and president of a free market public policy group called the Competitive Enterprise Institute, on Thursday, February 15, 2007 in SB 010 at 3:30 PM.  Fred Smith combines intellectual and strategic analysis of complex policy issues, and he does so with an informative and entertaining presentation style.  For more information on Smith and the Competitive Enterprise Institute, visit Fred Smith’s Bio

Professor Ken Piers will respond to Smith’s presentation, which will be followed by a Q & A session.  This dialogue is open to anyone with an interest in questions of sustainability.