Watch: UCL students researching poverty reduction in Ethiopia

Widget Placeholderhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIXUvAiwea8

The students, from the Urban Economic Development and Development Administration and Planning MSc programmes, were researching poverty reduction strategies within the northern city of Mekele.

The Urban Economic Development programme works on identifying methods of enhancing urban productivity, while Development Administration and Planning focuses on development, and in particular the reduction of poverty and inequality. Both courses are part of the Bartlett's Development Planning Unit.

Michael Walls (UCL Bartlett), who led the trip, commented: "It is fine to teach development in the classroom, but however many examples, case studies and illustrations we use, the richness that can be gained from actually going to a place where the problems being discussed directly affect the lives of the people one talks to is vital. While it is true that it is a poor nation, Ethiopia also embraces a cultural, historical and geographical wealth that surpasses many of the world's most popular tourist destinations, making it a fantastic destination for us."

Related links:

UCLTV on YouTube
UCL Development Planning Unit
'Reflections from Ethiopia' blog post