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Tanzania: Small and Micro Approaches to Development and Poverty Alleviation

January 2-21, 2009

Course: AREC 489D/ HONR 349A/ UNIV318T / CORE [D] (3 credits)

Learn about the policies and practices of grassroots development countries and their impact on the reduction of poverty. We will take a broad look at development policies (social, economic and financial) that are purported to reduce poverty and their practical application in Tanzania. This will include examining the roles of policy makers, including governments, the World Bank, and non-governmental organizations. Students will: .

  • conduct two case studies on grassroots approaches to poverty alleviation, namely small enterprise development and microfinance
  • visit agencies and organizations actively involved in building small and medium enterprises (SMEs); including agricultural and export oriented SMEs, microfinance institutions and funders that support them, and the link between eco-tourism and microenterprise development
  • explore Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Arusha
  • participate in a one-day tour of Tanzania's national park, including the Ngorogoro Conservation Area

Dar Es Salaam is Tanzania's hub of business and government and known for its international restaurants and one of the liveliest music scenes in Africa, with colorful local markets.

The island of Zanzibar is one of Africa's most interesting sites, with long sand beaches and Arabic Stone Town, a World Heritage site. In Zanzibar, students will meet small village savings and loans associations, and can also visit the spice plantations that still the primary economic activity of the island.

Arusha is famous for coffee plantations and national parks. It is the gateway to the Serengeti, Kilimanjaro and other famous sites. We will visit an enterprise development project (TechnoServe) for small farmers linked to export markets and an eco-tourism project. We will then take a half-day safari in Ngongongare Park near Mount Meru. After the course, the students can opt to go on a three-day a safari in Ngorongoro Park, Tarangire National Park or visit Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Accommodations

tbd

Faculty and Staff

Till Bruett has fifteen years of experience in banking, microfinance and microenterprise development. He helped start microfinance institutions in Africa and elsewhere and started the consulting firm Alternative Credit Technologies. He is an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins SAIS and former adjunct professor at Georgetown University. Hillary Miller-Wise, Country Director for TechnoServe Tanzania and former adjunct professor at Columbia University SIPA, will teach the courses on Enterprise Development. The trip will also include guest lecturers from several organizations.

Please contact Michael Ulrich, Associate Director for Study Abroad, for information about course content and itinerary.

For questions about the application, registration and pre-departure logistics, please contact the University of Maryland Study Abroad Office.