Past Events and Initiatives for 2007

Event Archives: 2009 - 2008 - 2006

List of Past Events (Most Recent to Least Recent)

"Development Finance via Diaspora Bonds: Track Record and Potential"

Dr. Dilip Ratha, Senior Economist at the World Bank

Date: Thursday, October 25, 2007

Time: 12 - 1:30 PM

Location: Duques Hall 357

"Political Involvement of the Jewish Diaspora in Isreaeli Politics"

Dr. Yossi Shain, Professor of Diaspora Politics, Georgetown University and Professor of Political Science and Head of the Hartog School of Government, Tel Aviv University

Date: Monday, November 12, 2007

Time: 1 - 2:30 PM

Location: 1957 E Street, Lindner Family Commons, Room 602

"Kinship and Diasporas in International Affairs"

Dr. Yossi Shain, Professor of Diaspora Politics, Georgetown University and Professor of Political Science and Head of the Hartog School of Government, Tel Aviv University

Date: Monday, November 12, 2007

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Duques Hall 451, Minerva Room

"Perfecting Political Diaspora"

Dr. Peter Spiro, Charles R. Weiner, Professor of International Law
Date: Friday, November 16, 2007
Time: 12 - 1:30 PM
Location: Duques Hall 356

Abstract: This paper first describes the trend towards extending to and facilitating the exercise of the franchise by external citizens. An increasing number of states permit non-residents to vote, in many cases without requiring return to the homeland. The trend requires a changed conception of citizenship and nationhood, as political membership decouples from territorial location. The essay addresses objections to non-resident voting rights, including those based on assumptions that non-residents will be irresponsible and uninformed voters, that they will form unpredictable and destabilizing voting blocs, and that non-resident voting will impose unsustainable logistical costs. None of these objections carry enough weight, empirically or normatively, to deny the franchise to non-resident citizens, voting rights validated by the increasing degree to which non-residents can access information and maintain significant interests in their home states. Nevertheless, voting rights need not be extended on a one-person, one-vote basis. In certain circumstances - in particular, cases in which the home state sets a low bar for non-resident citizenship and where the non-resident citizen population is large relative to the resident population - it may be justifiable to accord lower proportional voting power to non-residents, at least where their interests are discretely represented in national legislatures. In other words, once the concepts of nationhood and full citizenship are no longer bounded by geography, it may be normatively acceptable to derogate from the creed of formal equality between citizens and within the nation. The increasingly prominent practice of non-resident voting, the piece concludes, thus presents a formidable challenge to political liberalism.

GW’s Institute for Corporate Responsibility (ICR) – Global Stakeholder Strategies program, the International Business Ethics Institute (IBEI), and GW-CIBER
Roundtable discussion on ‘Corruption and International Business’
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
1:30 pm to 3.00 pm
Duques/Funger 520

Dr. Monica Dorhoi from the World Bank spoke on understanding how corruption and international business is affecting stakeholder relations and accountability mechanisms across 78 countries.

Speaker: Dr. Monica Dorhoi, World Bank
Discussants: Dr. Kathleen Getz, Senior Associate Dean, American University
Dr. Stephen G. Schwenke, Senior Advisor to the Inter-American Development Bank’s Initiative on Social Capital and the Ethics of Development

The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, Department of Economics and Center for International Business Education and Research
A Symposium on New Directions for Research on Microfinance
April 20, 2007
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Alumni House 1925 F Street, NW

The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded for work in microfinance that served as “an important instrument in the struggle against poverty.” This symposium explored this evolving field.

AGENDA:

9:30 a.m. - Welcome and Overview
Stephen Smith, professor of economics and international affairs, The George Washington University

9:45 - 10:45 a.m. - “The Supply and Demand Side of Credit Information”
Presenters:
Alain de Janvry, professor of agricultural and resource economics, University of California, Berkeley; and
Elisabeth Sadoulet, professor of agricultural and resource economics, University of California, Berkeley.
(Co-authored by Craig McIntosh)

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - "Testing a Structural Model of Credit Constraints Using a Large-Scale Quasi Experimental Microfinance Initiative"
Presenter:
Joseph Kaboski, assistant professor, Department of Economics, Ohio State University.
(Co-authored by Robert Townsend)

1:00 - 2:00 p.m. - “Foundations of Social Investment”
Presenter:
Jonathan Conning, assistant professor, Department of Economics, Hunter College/CUNY.
(Co-authored by Jonanthan Morduch)

2:15 - 3:15 p.m. - “Microfinance and Missing Markets”
Presenter:
Shahe Emran, assistant professor of economics and international affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University.
(Co-authored by Joseph Stiglitz and AKM Mahbub Morshed)

3:30 - 4:30 p.m. - “Expanding Credit Access: Using Randomized Supply Decisions to Estimate the Impacts”
Presenter:
Dean Karlan, assistant professor of economics, Yale University.
(Co-authored by Jonathan Zinman)

Development Management Network
March 23, 2007
The George Washington University

The Development Management Network (DMN) is an informal association of professionals (practitioners and policymakers) who share a common interest in the management and institutional aspects of economic, social, and political development. Its primary activity is an annual workshop to explore and disseminate the latest developments in the field of development management and to foster continued networking and engagement among its members. On occasion, the workshop is delivered in collaboration with the Section on International and Comparative Administration of the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA) as an ASPA pre-conference workshop. This year’s workshop featured a presentation and discussion on how diasporas and migration pose challenges to the way we currently define development. A related International Development Forum on “Diasporas: Challenge to the Development Industry?” preceded the workshop the evening before. Both events capitalized on the presence of two international scholars (from the UK and the Netherlands) whose travel was funded by the Elliott School of International Affairs. Hosting the DMN/SICA pre-conference workshop confirmed GW’s leading role in the development and dissemination of new knowledge related to fostering development.

International Development Forum. Diasporas: Challenge to the Development Industry?
Thursday, March 22, 2007
6:00-8:00pm
The George Washington University, Duques Hall, Room 451

Increasing migration and diaspora engagement pose questions for the development industry’s business as usual. Speakers included two visiting scholar-practitioners and a Washington-based development practitioner:

•Oliver Bakewell, Research Officer, International Migration Institute, Oxford University.

•Dr. Abdullah (Awil) Mohamoud, Executive Director and Founder, African Diaspora Policy Centre, Amsterdam, whose mission is “to contribute to better development in Africa by facilitating African diaspora in Europe to pool their resources for the benefit of Africa.”

•James Thompson, Deputy Director, Global Development Alliance, US Agency for International Development

Diaspora Research Roundtable
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
12:00-2:00pm
The George Washington University

Oliver Bakewell, Awil Mohamoud, Steve Lubkemann, and Jennifer Brinkerhoff briefly discussed where they see the state of research and action on diasporas, policy, and development and then invited contributions and discussion from all of the participants. This was a rich discussion and which enabled us to collectively clarify our thinking, mutually inspire new ideas and directions, and push the envelope for what is and could be the state of the art in diaspora research methods.

March 15, 2007
Meeting with Ms. Oya Unlu Kizil, M.B.A. 1998, Corporate Communications Coordinator, Koc Holdings
The George Washington University

On Thursday, March 15, Oya Unlu Kizil, M.B.A. 1998, Corporate Communications Coordinator, with Koc Holdings in Turkey, visited the GW School of Business.  She met with Dr. Timothy Fort, Lindner-Gambal Professor of Business Ethics, to discuss Koc’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, including a nationwide community service day called “For My Country Day.”

Afterwards, Ms. Kizil had coffee with a Dr. Refik Soyer, Professor of Decision Sciences, Valentina Marano, GW-CIBER Outreach Coordinator,  PhD student Tevfik Aktekin, student and member of GW’s Turkish Student Association Deniz Ozkan and MBA student, member of GW’s Net Impact Jennifer Garner and Margie Shepard and Karen Ancillai of Advancement.  Among the topics they discussed were Koc Holdings commitment to vocational education in Turkey and how corporate social responsibility is integrated into the curriculum at GWSB.

Mustafa Koc, M.B.A.1984, is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Koc Holdings.  He has been an advocate for GW in Turkey and has encouraged partnerships between his company and alma mater.

The George Washington University Center for International Business Education and Research (GW-CIBER); National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce; United States Egypt Friendship Society; ConTrack; and the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo:
Turning Egypt’s Economic Reforms into Investments and Jobs: The Challenge of Deepening U.S.-Egypt Business Ties
Wednesday March 14, 2007
5:00 - 600 p.m. Panel Discussion
6:00-7:30 p.m. Reception
Kendall Auditorium
The George Washington University

 The past five years have seen a major turnaround in Egypt's economic policies. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, a new group of reform-minded ministers, many with long business experience, have assumed management of the key economic ministries.

With much more pro-business and pro-employment policies in place, the Egyptian economy has dramatically improved its performance, achieving nearly 7% growth last year. Egypt's 30% increase in imports from the U.S. in 2006 and economic reform levels foretell new opportunities for U.S. exporters and investors.    Egyptian Minister of Investment Mahmoud Mohieddin announced that foreign investment in his country rose from $2 billion in 2004 to USD $6 billion in 2006. 

Yet, U.S. investors have not responded at anything close to the rate of their European counterparts. Outside of the oil and gas sector, where U.S. investment remains strong, U.S. investment has lagged, falling to ninth place in the most recent figures from Egypt's General Authority for Free Zones and Investment.

This panel discussion provided an on-the-ground perspective to both parts of this challenge. Prominent Egyptian and American businesspeople, in Washington as part of an annual visit by the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, provided an update on the reforms and the business reaction, and U.S. commentators explored what needs to be done promote a greater U.S. response to the new, more positive environment.

Panelists included:
Taher Helmy, American Chamber of Commerce Egypt President and Partner, Baker & McKenzie
M.Gamal Moharam, Chairman and CEO, Piraeus Bank and Executive Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt
Tom Thomason, Vice President of Globeleq/ Sidi Krir and former Vice President, Legal Affairs of American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt
Hoda Moustafa, Assistant General Council of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC )
Reema Ali , Managing Partner, Ali & Partner

Moderated by:
Ambassador Edward Walker

Ambassador Nabil Fahmy, Egypt's Ambassador to the United States, is presented with the “NUSACC Ambassador of the Year Award” by David Hamod, President and CEO, National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) at GWSB's Kendall Auditorium


(From left to right) Tom Thomason, M .Gamal Moharam, Taher Helmy, David Hamod, Ambassador Nabil Fahmy,Ambassador Edward Walker, Hoda Atia Moustafa, and Reema Ali.

 

GW-CIBER, AIESEC and the GW School of Business Career Center
“Undergraduate Panel on International Careers”
March 7, 2007
5:00-6:30 p.m. – Networking reception and refreshments to follow
Room 451, Duquès Hall, 2201 G Street, NW , Washington, DC

For more information on the event please click here.

(From left to Right)
Ali Tahir, Adriana De Riva and Dan Houston at the Undergraduate Career Panel


(From left to Right)
Dr. Liesl Riddle, Adriana De Riva and Dan Houston at the Undergraduate Career Panel

GW-CIBER, Women in International Trade (WIIT), the Organization for International Development (OID), Net Impact, the GW School of Public Policy and Public Affairs Career Center, and the GW School of Business Career Center:
"Graduate Panel on International Careers"
March 6, 2007
5:30-7:00 p.m.
The Jack Morton Auditorium

For more information on the event please click here.



(From left to right) Jennifer Bindhammer, Amanda DeBusk, Jennifer Mulveny, Rani Parker, Aaron Williams and Liesl Riddle (at the podium) talks about the challenges and opportunities of cross-sectoral international careers at GW's Jack Morton Auditorium.

GW International Business Department Research Brown Bag Seminar
“Do South-South trade agreements increase trade? Commodity-level evidence from COMESA”
February 23, 2007
12:00-1:30 p.m.
Duques Hall, Room 320, 2201 G Street, NW

Dr. Anna Maria Mayda from Georgetown University presented her co-authored paper (with Chad Steinberg): “Do South-South trade agreements increase trade? Commodity-level evidence from COMESA”

A copy of the paper is available at:
http://www.ibusdept.com/index.php?content=seminars  

Dr. Anna Maria Mayda is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Georgetown University in the Department of Economics and School of Foreign Service. She got her Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University in 2003. Professor Mayda’s research interests are in the areas of International Trade, Political Economy, International Migration and Development Economics. Her research has been published in the Review of Economics and Statistics and the European Economic Review.

Dr. Mayda teaches courses in Trade Policy and International Trade at the graduate and undergraduate level and has won several teaching awards.

GW-CIBER, Washington International Trade Association (WITA), Elliott School of International Affairs’ International Trade and Investment Policy Program (ESIA-ITIP)
“Building for the Future:  The Long-Term International Economic Agenda” featuring Daniel S. Sullivan Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs
Tuesday, February 20
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Duquès Hall, Room 451, 2201 G Street, NW
The world economic system faces a number of complex challenges in the coming years.  Significant progress has been made on multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations, but can final agreement be reached on these controversial issues?  Will a spate of bilateral agreements weaken the multilateral WTO system?  How can U.S. economic and trade policies help foster economic growth at home and abroad as well as bolster U.S. national security?  Does continued globalization impinge on American sovereignty?



(Above and below) Assistant Secretary Sullivan speaks about "Building for the Future:  The Long-Term International Economic Agenda"

GW International Business Department Research Brown Bag Seminar
“Vertical and Horizontal FDI Spillovers in Transition Economies: Do Institutions Matter?”
February 16, 2007
12:00-1:30 p.m.
Duques Hall, Room 320, 2201 G Street, NW

Dr. Katherine Terrell presented “Vertical and Horizontal Spillovers in Transition Economies: Do Institutions Matter?”

You can access the paper by going to:
http://www.ibusdept.com/IBbrownbag_seminar/FDI_Spillovers.pdf

Dr. Katherine Terrell is Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy, with dual appointments at the Ross School of Business and the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. Prof. Terrell’s research examines the effects of globalization on workers and firms in emerging markets, with emphasis on Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe where the transition to the global market has been especially marked. One stream addresses the role labor regulations and policy play in facilitating/hindering the reallocation of labor from the old to the new economy, while protecting affected workers. Another stream focuses on the impact of foreign direct investment on domestic firms and economic growth in emerging markets. Her research has been published widely in academic journals, including the American Economic Review, Journal of Comparative Economics,Review of Economics and Statistics, and World Development.

Dr. Terrell teaches courses at the graduate level in both schools, including Labor Markets in a Global Economy, Business Strategy in Latin America, Economic Development Policy, and Foreign Direct Investment. She also directs the International Business – Business Economics Ph.D. Program at the Ross School. Dr. Terrell is a Research Fellow at IZA ( Bonn,), a Research Associate at the Centre for Economic Policy Research ( London), and a Visiting Researcher at the Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education ( Prague).

Interview with Michael Hopkins on the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility vis-à-vis Development
February 7, 2007

GW-CIBER produced an interview with Michael Hopkins, author of Corporate Social Responsibility and International Development: Is Business the Solution? ( Earthscan, 2006). DVDs of the interview have been distributed among interested George Washington University’s faculty members and students, as well as made available through the CIBER network. For more information, please contact the GW-CIBER at ciber@gwu.edu, or call 202 994 3098.

Dr. Hopkins is CEO and Chairman of MHC International Ltd. ( London & Geneva), a research and service company that specializes in social development issues for the public and private sector alike. Dr. Hopkins is Professor of Corporate Responsibility and Business Performance (CRBP) at Middlesex University Business School and is Founder and Chairman, of the International Centre for CRBP which began operations in 2001. Dr. Hopkins holds First and Masters degrees in Mathematics and Statistics and a Doctoral Degree in Labor Economics from the University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr. Hildy Teegen, GW-CIBER Director, engaged Dr. Hopkins in a broad discussion about the role of Corporate Social Responsibility vis-à-vis development in emerging markets. Covered topics included, among the others, a discussion of the roles and expectations of civil society, governments and businesses in exploring the opportunities and innovations inherent in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); specific social problems or needs that businesses are uniquely suited to solve or fulfill in developing countries; ways in which public-sector failures in developing countries are linked to an increased social-value-creation role of the private-sector in developing countries.

Diaspora Seminar Series
BRIDGING THE DIASPORA-HOMELAND CULTURAL DIVIDE:
Diaspora Organizations and Homeland Investment
February 1, 2007

More Information and Event Website

Little is known about why diaspora members invest in their homelands or why investment intensity varies among diaspora communities. The authors draw on theory from anthropology, economic psychology, international business, and sociology, to generate a multi-level conceptual model of diaspora homeland investment. Their model examines the effects of inter-diaspora cultural differences, diaspora organization support, and three types of investment expectations—financial, social, and emotional—to shed further light on this phenomenon.

About the Authors:
Tjai Nielsen is an Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior and Development in the School of Business at The George Washington University (GWSB).  He earned his doctorate in Industrial and Applied Psychology from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and holds his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Virginia Tech.  Dr. Nielsen has authored more than 25 research articles, book chapters, and technical reports on cultural intelligence, cross-cultural management, and work teams and has conducted more than 20 refereed presentations at national conferences across the country.  Recently, Dr. Nielsen received a Best Reviewer Award from the Academy of Management at its 2004 annual meeting.  He currently serves as an editorial board member for the Journal of Organizational Behavior and the journal, Group & Organization Management.  He teaches in the full-time, part-time, and executive MBA programs and teaches the primary research methods course for GWSB doctoral students.

Prior to joining GWSB, Dr. Nielsen worked as a management consultant for RHR International, a premier corporate psychology consulting firm founded in 1945.  In this role he worked with a variety of organizations within the retail, service, pharmaceutical, chemical, and utility industries in North America, Europe, and the Middle East.  Dr. Nielsen is a member of the Academy of Management, the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and the American Psychological Association.

Liesl Riddle is an Assistant Professor of International Business and International Affairs at The George Washington University.  She holds a BA and MA in Middle Eastern Studies, a MBA in International Business, and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin.  Dr. Riddle has written extensively on the topics of trade and investment promotion and diaspora roles in homeland economic development.  She co-authored the first diaspora-focused article to appear in the top international business journal, The Journal of International Business Studies in 1999.  She has conducted fieldwork in Egypt and Turkey and among Middle Eastern diaspora communities in the USA.  She is one of the founding members of GW’s Research Program on Diasporas, Policy, and Development.  She is also the faculty coordinator for GW’s Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) Research Program on Business and Society in Critical Countries.  Dr. Riddle teaches executive, graduate and undergraduate courses, including Cross-Cultural Management, Managing in Developing Countries, and International Marketing.  She has won several teaching honors; she recently received the 2006 GWU School of Business Teaching Excellence Award. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Riddle was the director of research for an international market research company.

Diaspora Seminar Series
November 28
“Do visas kill?  The effects of African health professional emigration”

Michael Clemens, Center for Global Development.

Diaspora Seminar Series
November 16
“The Diaspora Phenomenon at the Beginning of the 21st Century: Ideational, Organizational and Behavioral Challenges.”

Gabriel Sheffer, Professor of Political Science, Hebrew University and Visiting Professor, Duke University. 

Hosted by the Institute of Global and International Studies, as part of its research seminar series.

November 10, 2006
"Post-Conflict Economic Investment: The Case of Afghanistan"


Above: Said T. Jawad, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan speaks at the GW-CIBER-sponsored International Development Forum on “Post-Conflict Economic Investment: The Case of Afghanistan.”

On November 10, 2006, the GW-CIBER held a conference on “Post-Conflict Economic Investment: The Case of Afghanistan.” Special guest, Said T. Jawad, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, provided opening remarks. Other featured discussants comprised business leaders, executives, and scholars, including: Ehsan Bayat, president and CEO, Telephone Systems International & Afghan Wireless; Ajmal Ghani, Chairman, Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC); and Rex Pingle, president, PMD International, Inc.

"Afghan ambassador talks business," by Philipp Lueckgen, The Daily Colonial, November 13, 2006. Click here to read the article, or go to: http://www.dailycolonial.com/go.dc?p=3&s=3425

"Afghanistan's Ambassador stresses the need for economic help," by Sean Redding, The GW Hatchet, November 13, 2006. To read the article go to:
http://www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/2006/11/13/
News/Afghanistans.Ambassador.Stresses.The.Need.For.Economic.Help-2454886.shtml

Diaspora Seminar Series
November 7

Laura Hammond, Assistant Professor of International Development. Co-sponsored with the GW Institute for Ethnographic Research.

October 30, 2006
"Policy Challenges and American Competitiveness"


Professor Michael Moore (left) and Douglas Holtz-Eakin (right) speak at the GW-CIBER sponsored event on “Policy Challenges and American Competitiveness.”

On October 30, 2006, the GW-CIBER sponsored a talk on “Policy Challenges and American Competitiveness.” Speakers included: Professor Michael Moore (main event organizer) and Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies and Paul A. Volcker Chair in International Economics of the Council on Foreign Relations. The talk explored U.S. competitiveness and domestic policies towards pension and healthcare and their impact on domestic long-term growth prospects.

October 25, 2006
Experts Panel Speaks on the topic of "Business and Development"


On October 25, 2006, the GW-CIBER sponsored a talk on “Business and Development.” The panel discussion focused on how business and development go hand in hand - from the creation of SME's, micro-credit and privatization of business.  Panelist Included: Jennifer Brinkerhoff, Associate Professor of Public Administration, of International Business, and of International Affairs; Kipp Efinger, Program Officer at Center for International Private Enterprise Refreshments will be provided; Rob Weiner, Professor of International Business, Public Policy & Public Administration & International Affairs; Christian Pennotti – Program Officer at QED Group, LLC.

Diaspora Seminar Series
“International Migration of Talent and Home Country Development: Toward a Virtuous Cycle ”
October 24

Yevgeny Kuznetsov, World Bank Institute

Diaspora Seminar Series
“Conflict-Generated Diasporas and Peacebuilding.”
October 10

Terrence Lyons, Associate Professor, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University.

Summer 2006
US-Malaysia Free Trade Negotiations

During the summer of 2006, the GW-CIBER hosted the U.S.-Malaysia Free Trade negotiations. The picture below shows (from the left): Jeri Jensen , Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and Pacific Affairs; Barbara Weisel, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia, Pacific and Pharmaceutical Policy; Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, Lead negotiator for the Malaysian Delegation; Dr. Rajmah Hussain, Ambassador of Malaysia to the United States of America; and Tan Sri Adul Gani, Attorney General of Malaysia.


To learn more about the negotiations, please click here.

 
GW-CIBER
Duquès Hall, Suite 450, 2201 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052
ciber@gwu.edu, 202-994-3098