JEREMY RICE | guest writer
photo | JEREMY RICE
Keynote speaker, Sir Patrick Duffy, speaks on U.S. and China's economic relations.


On Nov. 8, Scholars for Business Achievement (SBA) from the School of Business and Management hosted the first ever Economic Summit. The intention of the summit was to introduce APU’s new economic major as well as to create a forum for speakers and students to discuss complex global economic issues.

The keynote speaker for the event, Sir Patrick Duffy Ph.D., served in the Fleet Air Arm in World War II and as President of the North Atlantic Assembly (the Parliamentary Arm of NATO) during the first-time delegations from Warsaw Pact nations.

The event began with Duffy’s discussion of the future economic relationship between the U.S. and China.

“How far will China have to go for oil, which must be imported in mass quantities?” Duffy said.

In his keynote address, Duffy questioned the ambiguity of China’s intentions for future use of its economic power and the fact that the country now has 1.3 trillion dollars of energy in reserve.

“It was interesting to hear Sir Patrick Duffy’s opinion of China, especially because of his experience with NATO,” senior business administration major Casey Fitzwilliam said.

Duffy’s speech was followed by a number of speakers including: Vice President of External Relations at the Heritage Foundation Becky Norton Dunlop, researcher with the Hoover Institute David Henderson, and President of the Foundation for Economic Education Richard Ebeling. Each guest focused on different aspects of economics and how they apply to us.

“The speeches were practical because it’s important to know the economic situation of the world around you,” senior business administration major Jeremy Frank said.

Subjects covered were: conservative principles of current events, the joy of economic freedom, and faith in the economic market.

The Economic Summit concluded as economics professor, Dr. Roger Conover, introduced the brand-new economics major which includes Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in economics with concentrations in international development and business.