Written by: Trina Wallace

International development students were encouraged to follow careers in public service by a former Uruguay president at the Warwick International Development Summit (WIDS) last weekend.

Luis Alberto Lacalle de Herrera, president of Uruguay from 1990 to 1995, spoke at the three day student-led summit (23rd to 25th November) featuring speeches, workshops and panel discussions on a range of international development issues.

“If you want to serve your country, working in public service is a very good way to do it,” said Lacalle, keynote speaker at the event. “And if you choose to follow a career in public service, please remember me.”

The charismatic former South American president talked about how his administration set up a regional trade agreement with neighbouring Brazil and Argentina and also Paraguay.

“Trade is one of the solutions to world poverty,” said Lacalle. “The dead of trade do not come up on your TV because they die slowly. We need to eliminate subsidies and let countries sell for a fair price.”

Many students who attended the event from universities across the UK told ethicalcareers.org, online partner of the summit, that they were hoping to follow ethical careers related to international development.

It's why summit organisers hosted two very popular workshops focusing on careers in the sector before the event.

WIDS
www.wids.org.uk

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