ASE welcomed last Tuesday September 13 Mr. James M. Roberts, from The Heritage Foundation, for the first Professional Seminar of the 2016-17 academic year. James Roberts, an expert in issues of economic freedom and growth,  addressed ASE students and staff members including the Dean, Father Claude Domfang and Professor David Gbaguidi. James Roberts gave a presentation on economic freedom, with a focus on Benin and its neighboring countries. This topic prompted lively discussion among the audience, especially from the students whose questions showed deep engagement with the speaker.

Mr Roberts was accompanied by the Public Affairs officer of the Embassy of the USA in Benin, Kanishka Gangopadhyay, as well as another member of the staff from the embassy. He offered the school library twenty copies of the book “2016 Index of Economic Freedom, Economics Promoting Opportunity and Prosperity.” He also distributed  a booklet summarizing this book at the event. Like James Roberts, Kanishka Gangopadhyay lauded the impressive work of the students at ASE, also adding that the beauty of the campus was of a notable standard in Benin. The event started at 9 am and ended at 11 am with a family photo.

The Heritage Foundation is an American conservative think tank whose mission is to promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.