The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy’s International Economic Development Program (IEDP) was conceived as an opportunity for students to think and walk through the multi-faceted experience of international project work from start to finish. Each year, students are competitively selected to enroll in an eight-week course and weeklong study tour to a country chosen by the Ford School’s graduate students, offering a firsthand introduction to that nation’s policy challenges and opportunities. Students are responsible for all financial and logistical planning for the trip, and along with the faculty advisor, they inform the direction and focus of the academic work. During the study tour, students spend the week meeting with stakeholders and policy professionals to augment their research and add nuance to their impressions and analyses, all of which provides a quality of experience and information that is otherwise unavailable in the U.S.

 

In 2016, we are thrilled that 20 Ford School master’s students will study and travel to Cuba through IEDP. This is a unique and exciting time to focus on Cuba. After decades of tense relations, diplomatic ties between the US and Cuba are being restored and trade sanctions imposed by the US Congress may be lifted in the not-too-distant future.  The attendant news coverage has provided a steady stream of stories with insights into Cuban society and public life; it has also drawn attention to a number of economic and social policy strengths and concerns. 

 

We look forward to broadening our perspectives as we explore Cuba’s policy challenges, successes, and opportunities through the lens of its economic, social welfare, environmental, and foreign policy.

 

2016 IEDP-Cuba Student Leaders:

 

President: Aubrey Sitler

Finance Chair: Erica Sivertson

Logistics Chair: Meredith Reid

Contacts Chair: Luis De La Cruz

Course Planning Chair: Shireen Smalley

Social Media Chair: Larry Sanders

Communications Chair: Edgar Morales

 

Faculty Advisor: Prof. Susan Waltz