Dr Nwanze delivers an engaging lecture to a packed audience

Dr Kanayo Nwanze, President of The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), visited the University of Warwick and gave an engaging and inspiring talk as part of the Department of Economics 360 lecture series.

IFAD is a specialised agency of the United Nations and Dr Nwanze is currently serving a second four-year term and has a strong record as an advocate and leader with a keen understanding of complex development issues.

His lecture, entitled "The Cost of Inaction", attracted a full audience of engaged students and academics. During his lecture, Dr Nwanze discussed International Development and addressed policies to alleviate poverty, discussing the expensive cost of inaction in relation to worldwide issues and problems such as Ebola.

Dr Nwanze also participated in a Q&A session with the audience, and answered a wide range of questions fielded by first year Undergradutes and MSc students from the Department amongst others.

About engaging with students, Dr Nwanze said:

“I love to be amongst students and young people because I think they are our future.”

Video footage from the full event, including the Q&A session will be posted to the Department of Economics YouTube channel at a later date. You can also view our gallery of photos from Dr Nwanze's lecture.

About Dr. Nwanze's visit and lecture, Head of Department and Co-Director of the Warwick Policy Lab, Professor Abhinay Muthoo said:

"As an economist with an interest in solving inequalities, his lecture was stimulating and thought provoking.

Dr Nwanze made the case that if we are serious about narrowing the gap between the world’s richest and poorest, we must transform the often neglected rural areas of the developing world since they are home to more than 75% of the world’s poorest people. "

Dr Kanayo Nwanze is also being honoured at a degree ceremony today, being awarded the honorary degree 'Doctor of Science, honoris causa' for his significant contribution to poverty reduction through sustainable agriculture and international development.