Asian Business School hosted a guest lecture on 30th Oct 23 featuring Dr. Augusto Lopez-Claros, the Executive Director and Chair of the Global Governance Forum, who brings with him a wealth of experience as an international economist, having dedicated over three decades to various international organizations, notably the World Bank. During the 2018/2019 academic years, Dr. Lopez-Claros served as a Senior Fellow at the Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, taking a leave from his role at the World Bank. Notably, he held the position of Director of the World Bank’s Global Indicators Group between 2011 and 2017, responsible for the Bank’s Doing Business report and other pivotal international benchmarking studies.
Dr. Lopez-Claros initiated the discussion by highlighting the significance of countries investing in education rather than prioritizing military defence against neighbouring nations. He advocated for fostering healthy relations among countries to diminish the need for strong militarization. Moreover, he addressed concerns about carbon emissions and climate change, particularly in regions experiencing rapid population growth. The discussion delved into issues of poverty, income inequality, and the critical need to enhance children’s health and immunity, emphasizing that malnourishment significantly hampers a nation’s development, pushing it years behind.
The lecture also shed light on the restricted role of educated women in society, even when well-qualified, hindering their contributions to the community. Dr. Lopez-Claros stressed the importance of empowering and involving women in the workforce. After imparting these insights, Dr. Lopez-Claros welcomed questions from the students, responding enthusiastically and sharing his knowledge within the allocated time. The session proved highly informative, offering a wealth of valuable insights and knowledge to the attendees.