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Partnerships
WBI
As the capacity development arm of the World Bank, the World Bank Institute is a natural partner to Wake Forest in this initiative. The WBI helps countries share and apply global and local knowledge to meet development challenges and its capacity development programs are designed not only to build skills among groups of individuals involved in performing tasks, but also to strengthen the organizations in which they work, and the sociopolitical environment in which they operate. WBI defines capacity for development as the ability of individuals, institutions, and whole societies to solve problems, make informed choices, order their priorities and plan their futures, as well as implement programs and projects, and sustain them over time. It maintains that building capacity is at the heart of development and development effectiveness. It depends heavily on society’s ability to acquire and use knowledge.
University of Ghana
Guided by the World Bank Institute's mission to develop capacity and the university's commitment to diverse learning opportunities, the Economic Growth and Development course linked students with counterparts in Ghana. Thirty five students from the University of Ghana and other Ghanaian institutions of higher learning studying economics or public policy participated in fifteen sessions by video link. One of the key products of this collaboration was the exchange of ideas and experiences, giving Wake Forest students a clearer perspective on how development theory has been translated into practice and on the challenges faced by developing countries. A local development practitioner with a background in civil society and local governance facilitated the Ghanaian side. In addition to dialogue, the course also contributed to fostering local capacity for development among Ghanaian students.
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