Norman Paterson School of InternationalAffairs:
PhD in International Affairs
I grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where I faced difficulties caused by poverty. My dream is to give access to education to impoverished children in the Great Lakes Region of Africa because I believe that is the way out of poverty. Education is a bridge to better opportunities. That is how I myself escaped it. So I am passionate about development and the reduction of poverty.
I have an excellent background in both economics and public and international affairs. I chose to pursue my PhD at NPSIA because I wanted to gain a greater understanding of the connections between international development, security and politics. The professors I have had here have outstanding knowledge in these areas.
I’m focusing on the Great Lakes Region because that region has experienced recurrent armed conflicts, which have devastating consequences on people and societies: increased poverty, destruction of schools and villages, population displacement, and severe disruption of economic activities. Research has shown that wars are development in reverse. They are ugly, especially in countries already poor.
My dissertation research is focused on the determinants of variations in military expenditures in Africa across time, countries, and sub-regions. From a development perspective, it is important to examine the drivers of such spending because, apart from investment in the production of security and order, they are considered a resource diversion away from other forms of more productive investments.
I have also started a small charitable organization called the Emmanuel Centre for Development Initiatives, which is paying school tuition for children living in poverty in Congo and Uganda, as well as giving micro-loans to their mothers. It’s a small organization, a start-up, but I think every organization we see bigger today started small.
My long-term goal is to return to the DRC and go into public policy where I can influence the socio-economic development process in such areas as investment in access to quality education, adequate health services for all, clean water, and employment opportunities for the youth.
Friday, September 9, 2016 in FPA Voices, People
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