On 15 and 16 November 2010, Prof. Dr. Paul Collier gave a public lecture, taught a master class and moderated a doctoral seminar. He is the Director of the Centre for the Study of African Economies (University of Oxford). His scholarly work brought him considerable influence with the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and many governments. He became well-known with the general public through his book The Bottom Billion. Why are the poorest countries failing and what can be done about it. More recent books such as Wars, Guns and Votes and The Plundered Planet give proof of an original perspective on development, leaving behind conventional ideas. Professor Collier relies on scientific research underpinned by econometrics, and works with a multidisciplinary team of scholars.

A panel debate elucidated the relevance of his vision for Belgian development policy. Professor Robrecht Renard, President of the Institute for Development Policy of the University of Antwerp moderated the exchange between Paul Collier and Nadia Molenaers (I.O.B.), Bogdan Vanden Berghe (11.11.11), Renier Nijskens (ambassador, FOD Foreign Affairs) and John Vandaele (MO*Magazine).

Paul Collier gave a masterclass on Monday 15 November on "The conduct of elections in developing countries and the connection between elections and economic performance". Prof. Collier requested the students to read the following papers in preparation of the masterclass:

• Elections and economic policy in developing countries, Lisa CHAUVET and Paul COLLIER, Economic Policy, July 2009, pp. 509-550 Click "Direct Access"
• Violence, Bribery and Fraud: The Political Economy of Elections in Sub-Saharan Africa, Paul COLLIER and Pedro C. VICENTE, October 2010, 45 p.
• Votes and Violence: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Nigeria, Paul COLLIER and Pedro C. VICENTE, August 2010, 60 p.
• Democracy’s Achilles Heel or How to Win an Election without Really Trying, Paul COLLIER and Anke HOEFFLER, Centre for the Study of African Economies, Oxford, March 2009, 21 p.

Below you will find the video footage of the evening lecture and the panel debate.
Click on the photo or title to watch the video.

		Lecture "The Bottom Billion" by Paul Collier
		Introduction panel debate by Christiane Timmerman, director of academic affairs UCSIA
		Panel debate moderated by Roberecht Renard with Paul Collier, Nadia Molenaers, Bogdan Vanden Berghe, Renier Nijskens and John Vandaele
		Questions from the audience

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