Global Business Forum Presents "Emerging Africa: Poverty Reduction and Wealth Creation"

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Contact: Frank Raczkiewicz, Assistant Vice President for Media Communications, (254) 710-1964
WACO, Texas (March 11, 2013)--The Global Business Forum is an annual conference, hosted by Baylor University and the McBride Center for International Business, that assembles specialists from the academic, business and public policy communities to explore relevant issues concerning the world economy.
"Emerging Africa: Poverty Reduction and Wealth Creation" is the theme for this year's forum held March 18 through 22 on the fifth floor of Cashion Academic Center, 1401 S. Fourth St.
"Students and business people who attend the Forum will learn that there is wide variation in economic and business conditions in Africa," said Steve Gardner, Ph.D., Herman Brown Professor of Economics and director of the McBride Center for International Business in Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business.
The forum will kick-off with "Africa Open for Business," a documentary about ten companies throughout Africa with varying forms of governance. Voted BBC World Documentary of the Year in 2006, the film focuses on the inspiring stories of human force of will. The film will preview at 3:30 p.m. on the fifth floor of Cashion.
Guest speakers for the forum include Cynthia Akuetteh, U.S. State Department, Bureau of African Affairs; John Andersen, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration; Stephen Hayes, Corporate Council on Africa; and many others.
"In some places that have suffered from political unrest and corruption, little progress has been made, so nearly half of Africa's population still lives in deep poverty. On the other hand, eleven of the twenty fastest-growing economies in the world are located in Africa, so some countries are making enormous progress, and some major American corporations are very active in Africa," Gardner said.
The forum will conclude with a panel discussion, "Baylor Students in Africa," at 2:30 p.m., Friday March 22 on the fifth floor of Cashion.
"Most of us know that African countries are facing serious challenges, but most of us are less aware of the good and encouraging things that are happening there."
The events are free and open to the public, but seating is limited for the meals, which require registration.
For more information on the forum, visit the Global Business Forum website at www.baylor.edu/business/globalbusinessforum.

by Rebecca Malzahn , student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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