International development expert and author Stephen C. Smith will speak Tuesday, Feb. 5, about ending poverty around the world. His presentation will be at 3 p.m. in the Cape Florida Ballroom of the Student Union.
The event, organized by the UCF Global Perspectives Office, is part of the 2012-2013 theme of “The Changing Face of Freedom in Today’s Turbulent Times.” The event is free and open to the public.
Smith is the author of “Ending Global Poverty: A Guide to What Works.” He is professor of economics and international affairs, and director of the research program in poverty, development and globalization at George Washington University, where he served as organizer and first director of the university’s International Development Studies Program, 1990-1996.
Smith has done onsite work in developing countries on four continents including in China, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Peru, Uganda and the former Yugoslavia. In addition to his main focus on development and poverty reduction, Smith has also conducted extensive research on the economics of employee participation, including work councils and labor cooperatives, which included extensive on-site work in Italy and Germany.
In addition to the Global Perspectives Office, sponsors and partners include the UCF Global Peace and Security Studies Program, UCF Student Government Association, Lawrence J. Chastang and the Chastang Foundation, Pre Med American Medical Student Association, UCF Political Science Department, UCF International Services Center, UCF Book Festival 2013 in association with the Morgridge International Reading Center and the Global Connections Foundation.