Goñi discusses Chile's global rise
Omkar Baxi
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: News
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Goñi's presentation largely dealt with Chile's success over the past decade, and focused on the country's poverty rates and economic data over recent years. According to Goñi, the Chilean poverty rate has fallen to about 10 percent today, from a 38.6 percent in 1990. Goñi also stressed that despite the global recession, the Chilean government has maintained a balanced budget, which has aided the country's rise on the world stage.
"The main objective of this event was to make [the Drexel students and community] aware of Chile. As the ambassador talked about Chile's balanced budget, I hope that students reflected on our country's situation," Thomas Hindelang, vice dean of the LeBow College of Business, said.
"We hosted the Chilean ambassador last year, and with a new ambassador in office, it presented itself as a new opportunity," Allen Arndt, director of communications at LeBow, said.
According to Arndt, Drexel has a connection with Benjamin Leavenworth, the Honorary Consul of Chile in Philadelphia. Leavenworth helped set up the event by making the ambassador aware of the opportunity at Drexel.
According to Hindelang, the event was developed as part of continuing relations between LeBow and Chile. The college has previously sent cohorts of undergraduate and graduate students to the country as part of an international residency program, and plans to send another group during this year's spring break.
This event was specifically intended to foster information sharing between Chile and the Drexel community and heighten student awareness about global business opportunities, as well as global situations, Hindelang said.
In response to questions from Drexel students and faculty, Goñi commented on the cultural changes in Chile, particularly focusing on the availability of higher education in the country (70-80 percent of college students in Chile come from families that have not sent children to college, compared to 10 percent 50 years ago). Goñi also reflected on the influence of China in today's economy, stating that China is now competing with the United States as Chile's most important export market.
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