University of Pretoria (UP) Economic and Management Sciences student Curtleigh Alaart (20) has been selected to deliver a presentation at the Development Studies Association Conference, which will be hosted virtually by University College London from 4 to 6 July 2022.

The Development Studies Association is an organisation for individuals who are studying, researching and teaching global development.

The second-year student, who is studying Public Management and International Relations, says he heard about the conference while doing macroeconomic research, looking specifically into the work of multilateral and progressive think tanks in Africa.

“I stumbled upon the call for presentations in December last year,” Alaart says. “I was on the fence about submitting a research paper as most applicants were established researchers, PhD and postdoctoral candidates. However, I opted to take a chance, and spent my December holiday drafting and redrafting an abstract that I eventually submitted to the Development Studies Association. My research abstract was peer-reviewed, and I received the news that I had been selected to deliver a presentation.”

This year, the conference’s theme is ‘Just, sustainable futures in an urbanising and mobile world’. “It adopts an intersectional approach to economic development that encompasses topics such as justice and equity, eco-feminism, social intervention methods, sustainable urbanisation, and facing a climate and ecological crisis in a pandemic or post-pandemic context,” Alaart explains.

One of the major talking points, he adds, is the question of how cities in the Global South are becoming integrated into new flows of capital and new superpower struggles – including around investments in infrastructure and real estate – and what the implications are for development.

Alaart’s presentation is titled ‘Africa’s future financial sector potential in correlation to its resources ownership’.

“I will critically analyse the economic framework prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa and question whether the financial policies in Africa are conducive to economic growth,” he explains. “My presentation highlights a range of pressing issues in Africa’s economy, from neo-imperialist resource extraction agreements to how we can achieve an independent, African-controlled economy. My presentation deduces that Africa does not necessarily have to rely on international trade to survive, but that it could paradoxically be a self-sufficient, sustainable market through an implementation of strategic fiscal policies and the utilisation of the African Union free trade agreement, which has the potential to equate economic and service inequality.”

Alaart says he motivated by the belief that youth should actively engage in open dialogues relating to sustainable alternatives.

“Youth should have an active say in the running of society, as it is ultimately our lives that will be affected,” he says. “Whether that means holding policymakers to account or having insightful discussions regarding social issues such as climate change, safe spaces for victims of sexual abuse or gender-based violence, or the ever-present economic inequality found in South Africa today – youth should be included and accounted for.”

As for his future plans, it seems he has it all mapped out. “Following the completion of my honours degree, I would like to do my master’s in Public Policy or pursue a postgraduate law degree in the UK, having grown up in North London, before embarking on a career in public sector policy evaluation and research in order to readdress inequalities in South Africa.” 

Alaart’s presentation can be viewed on YouTube (search “Curtleigh Alaart” on YouTube) or via his Instagram page (@curtleigh14).