In February, twenty-three graduate students from across the University of Michigan spent a week in Grenada as part of the Ford School's International Economic Development Program (IEDP). This annual program began in 1999 through the unique, collaborative efforts of the International Policy Students Association (IPSA) and Ford School faculty.
IPSA students do much of the work for the IEDP trip by selecting the country to be studied, planning the trip, fundraising, and making connections with relevant policymakers and organizations within the country of interest.
This year, the IEDP faculty lead was Susan Waltz. In addition to going on the trip, Waltz taught a seven-week course that gave students a solid understanding of the economic development landscape of Grenada.
The trip itself took place over the university's spring break. Students met with a long list of local and national officials, NGOs, and others vested in the development of Grenada's economy including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment and Foreign Trade, and the Grenada Industrial Development Corporation.
Students will share their findings, recommendations, and trip experiences with the U-M community at an event on March 31, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. in 1110 Weill Hall.