Video Speaker 23rd July 2021- Rotary Global Scholar Bethany Carter

Bethany was introduced by Tony Eginton who prefaced Bethany’s talk by reemphasising the contribution that Rotary makes to global peace and understanding by sponsoring students to study internationally.

Bethany echoed that theme by expressing her thanks that she had been enabled to develop her understanding of economic and social development. She outlined her own personal background and interests and told us that she was sponsored by her home club which has 650 members – the largest Rotary Club in the world!

She described her post graduate work in the United States Senate where, she gained eye opening experience of Government decision making processes in defence, energy, and foreign affairs. Her visual aids depicted the wide disparity of wealth in the US which she related to the wider inequalities throughout the world, and her own developing interest in economic development. An interest further stimulated by time in Cambodia where she saw the same disparities in a non-developed country. Following that maturing experience in Washington she returned to Alabama to work in a non-profit organisation, Birmingham Talks, which endeavours to improve literacy through language development in children up to three.

Wishing to pursue her knowledge of economics and its interconnectivity with community development she identified the London School of Economics as her preferred place of further study. She saw the history of that university grounded in economics and social development with its connectivity to the rest of the world as providing the ideal learning opportunity.  The Masters in Public Administration at LSE focusses on real problems whilst developing a range of intellectual skills through examining complex problems behind some of the biggest global challenges.

Bethany shared with members the areas of study being followed including the Political Economy of Development – the systems behind development and their interrelationship and the social infrastructure/the players making decisions, Econometrics, Micro & Macroeconomics and Inclusive growth.

With her study methods being massively impacted by COVID restrictions Bethany is looking forward to progressing with hybrid learning methods – a communications style which Chesham Rotary looks to embrace going forward!

Members found Bethany’s talk informative in the manner with which individual scholars who may become future decision makers and influencers develop their skills and awareness necessary to face the challenges facing humanity.