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NORTHEAST REGIONAL CIES CONFERENCE
Beyond Aid: Rethinking Approaches to International Development in Education
October 8 - 9, 2009

Steven J. Klees, KEYNOTE SPEAKER Professor: International Education Policy

There is a heated debate over whether billions of dollars given for educational aid have contributed to educational improvement and equity around the world. Growing scepticism regarding the effectiveness of international aid has government agencies and international organizations re-examining the distribution of aid. At the same time, the emergence of entrepreneurial philanthropists, celebrity donors, and various market-driven approaches to international development have begun to alter the international aid landscape. The conference invites participants to explore possible future directions of aid to education, and asks the following questions:

• Can aid solve longstanding educational development challenges?
• Should we begin to think beyond educational aid by critically analyzing the larger picture of development and the underlying causes of global inequality?
• How can international educational aid be re-conceptualized with a more informed sense of social justice and participatory dialogue?

HIGHLIGHTS

• Lehigh University Welcome by Dr. Mohamed S. El-Aasser, Lehigh University Vice President of Academic Affairs
• Welcome remarks by Dr. Gita Steiner-Khamsi, CIES president
• Keynote address by Dr. Steven Klees, CIES past president
• A featured panel on International Aid and Education

PLANNING COMMITTEE

• Iveta Silova
• Daphne Hobson
• Jill Sperandio
• Diane C. Boyle
• William Brehm
• Audree Chase-Mayoral
• Morgan Volkart
• Donna Johnson
• Carol Ham
• Ilena Key
• Anuradha Sachdev
• Kelly Holland
• Matthew Kilbride
• Amanda Lowry
• Megan Hauser
• Ciara H. Lowery
• Mike Russell
• Calvin Reed

SCHEDULE

Click here to view Program Brochure >

Keynote Address: "Aid, Development, and Education"
Steven J. Klees, University of Maryland (Past CIES President)

There has been renewed debate over the utility of international aid and its contribution to educational improvement in developing countries.  This is, of course, part of a larger ongoing debate about the impact of aid on development.  This paper reviews some aspects of these debates.  In particular, it is important to acknowledge that this is not a new debate but has been ongoing for decades.  The Right and the Left have called, at times, for a cessation of aid.  Today they are joined by a Muddled Middle.  These views are challenged by a call for “smarter” aid, which over the years has argued for the need for aid to be “evidence-based,” i.e., specifically tied to successful programs and policies.  All the above views share a belief that international aid has often been unsuccessful.  To the contrary, I also explore the critical view that aid has been very successful—not in reducing poverty or stimulating growth but in legitimating a very unequal world system that maintains and reproduces inequality.  Lastly, I consider what new approaches might be taken.

Discussants:
Sangeeta Kamat (University of Massachusetts at Amherst) 
David Baker (The Pennsylvania State University)

The lecture is scheduled for October 8, 2009 at 5:30pm in Packard Auditorium, Lehigh University. 

REGISTRATION

When: October 8 through Ocober 9, 2009.

Where: The conference will take place on the campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. The campus is located approximately 8 miles from the Lehigh Valley International Airport, 65 miles from Philadelphia International Airport, and 75 miles from Newark International Airport in New Jersey.

Registration Guidelines:
It is strongly encouraged to register before the conference by filling out the registration form and mailing the form and payment to: (All checks must be made payable to Lehigh University)

Audree Chase-Mayoral
Lehigh University, College of Education
111 Research Drive
Bethlehem, Pa 18015

Participants may, however, may register the day of the event between 7:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. on the Third Floor of the University Center.

Fees:
Students: $30
Non-Students: $50

Everyone registering for this conference MUST fill out the registration form:
Click here for a PDF file of the registration form >

If you have any questions, please contact Audree Chase-Mayoral at 610 758-3219, amc308@lehigh.edu.

ABOUT BETHLEHEM

Bethlehem is a town of around 80,000 residents about an hour away from Philadelphia and New York City. Lehigh University is situated on the South Side of Bethlehem, adjacent to the once-famous Bethlehem Steel. The historic relics still cut through the short skyline of Bethlehem today and now form the motif of the newly opened Sands Casino. You can take advantatage of various types of restaurants throughout the city. Bethlehem is home to Musikfest, which is one of the largest outdoor music festivals in America held every summer, the Christkindlmarkt in December, the famous Bach Festival held every May, and one of the largest Celtic festivals held in the U.S., the Celtic Classic in September.

LOGISTICS

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:
You are responsible for making your own hotel accommodations and payment.

Please reference the Lehigh University Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) Conference in order to receive the reduced rate of $129/night when making your reservation.

A block of rooms is being held at the Hotel Bethlehem until September 30, 2009.

Hotel Bethlehem
437 Main Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
Reservations: 800-607-BETH
Telephone: (610) 625-5000
Fax: (610) 625-2218
Email: info@hotelbethlehem.com
 Website: www.hotelbethlehem.com

Transportation to and from Lehigh University is available through the Hotel. The Lehigh Valley International Airport is approximately four miles from the hotel.

Rooms at this rate will be held until September 30, 2009. After that time, we will be unable to guarantee the reduced rate and availability.

A block of rooms is being held at Comfort Suites until September 30, 2009.

Comfort Suites
120 West Third Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015
Reservations: (800) 422-0942 or( 610) 882-9700
Fax: (610) 882-4389
Website: Click here to view >

The Comfort Suites® University is conveniently located within walking distance from Lehigh University. The Lehigh Valley International Airport is four miles from the hotel.

Please reference Lehigh University Comparative and International Education Society Conference (CIES) to receive the rate ofr $89/night when making your reservation.

Rooms at this rate will be held until September 30, 2009. After that time, we will be unable to guarantee the reduced rate and availability.

TRAVEL:

Local: Click here for local maps, directions and virtual tours >

National: Lehigh University is conveniently located five minutes from the Lehigh Valley International Airport and less than ninety minutes from New York City, Philadelphia and The Pocono Mountains.

QUICK LINKS:
Educational

• International Teaching Resource Center
• Comparative & International Education Society United States
• Comparative & International Education Program, Lehigh University
• Office of International Programs, Lehigh University

Travel

• Hotel Bethlehem
• Comfort Suites
• About Bethlehem
  

CONTACT INFORMATION

Audree Chase-Mayoral
Lehigh University, College of Education
111 Research Drive
Bethlehem, Pa 18015
Phone: 610.758.3219
Fax: 610.758.6223
amc308@lehigh.edu