August 27 2004
Business Roundtable Hosts Distinguished Economic Journalist and Education Policy Expert
For 10 days from September 1 the New Zealand Business Roundtable will host Martin Wolf, one of the world's most
respected economic journalists, and his wife Alison Wolf, education policy expert.
Martin Wolf is the associate editor and chief economics commentator at the Financial Times and the author of the newly
released book Why Globalisation Works (Yale University Press, 2004). A Foreign Affairs review said Wolf's "sharp
insights" on the trade liberalisation debate "score a major victory against critics of globalization". The president of
Harvard University said, "This brilliant book should be read by anybody who cares about the future of the developing
world."
Martin Wolf will deliver the Sir Ronald Trotter Lecture 2004 on September 2. The topic of his dinner lecture at the
Carlton Hotel in Auckland will be The Role of the State in an Era of Globalisation. Tickets to the dinner lecture may be
purchased on the New Zealand Business Roundtable website at www.nzbr.org.nz .
Alison Wolf has evaluated education policies for the US Congress and has published widely on education and the labour
market, and on assessment, qualifications and skills. Until 2003 she directed the International Centre for Research on
Assessment at the University of London's Institute of Education.
In her book Does Education Matter? Myths about education and economic growth (Penguin, 2002), she examined the gap
between the rhetoric and reality of education.
Alison Wolf will deliver a seminar on the topic Does Education Matter at the Portrait Gallery, Bowen House, Wellington,
at 17.30 on September 8. The event is free, but attendees are asked to email sbila@awaroa.com to indicate their
intention to attend. Information is at the Education Forum website: www.educationforum.org.nz .
New Zealand Business Roundtable executive director Roger Kerr said he was delighted that Martin Wolf would deliver the
Sir Ronald Trotter Lecture 2004.
"In his writing, Wolf has consistently offered a powerful intellectual critique of the arguments against globalisation,
and an optimistic view of the economic and political outlook for the world. With Francis Fukuyama and Bjorn Lomborg
delivering this lecture in the past two years, a high standard has been maintained and I am certain that Martin Wolf
will provide a stimulating and provocative address", Mr Kerr said.
Interview requests for either Martin Wolf or Alison Wolf should be directed to David Young , New Zealand Business
Roundtable and Education Forum communications advisor: dyoung@nzbr.org.nz
ENDS