Feb. 22, 2006

Learning From Romania

Ohio Wesleyan sophomore Jora Nika will spend her summer studying in Romania in an effort to help her native Albania earn acceptance into the European Union.

"I want to analyze the impact that the integration process in the European Union has had on the Romanian economy," says Nika, who is majoring in accounting with a minor in economics. "I decided to do this summer research because of the similarities between Albania and Romania. I hope that in the future I will be able to use my knowledge gained from this experience in my home country."

To assist with the funding required for this project, Nika has been awarded a $2,000 travel award from Global Partners, a joint venture of GLCA, ACM, and Associated Colleges of the South. She will undertake an honors project under the guidance of her advisor Bob Gitter, professor of economics. "Professor Gitter encouraged me to apply for this summer research project sponsored by Global Partners for Central/Eastern Europe," says Nika. "His feedback, support, advice, and knowledge of the region were very helpful."

Romania applied for EU admittance in 1997. However, it wasn't until the Copenhagen Summit in 2002 that the EU established a Jan. 1, 2007 date for Romania's admittance. "Most Eastern European countries have transitional economies characterized by a low level of development, and have not been able to deliver a steady growth over the years," says Nika in her research summary. "The Romanian government is trying to lower the level of unemployment and inflation. For 2005, the unemployment was 5.5 percent and the inflation was 8 percent. The goal is to lower both unemployment and inflation to 5 percent in 2006. The problem is that given the limited number or resources it is hard to adjust policies to reach these goals."

She will spend 14 days in Bucharest this July interviewing numerous contacts on the economic changes that are taking place in Romania. Collecting information from Ilie Gheorge from BRD – Groupe Societe Generale Bank, one of the largest banks in Romania; Elena Corpacesu, economist; Doina Chiriachiu, economist; representatives from the Ministry of Economy; representatives from the European Union in Romania; professors from the University of Romania in Bucharest; and Romanian and foreign investors.

Information that she hopes will one day help her home country. "The Albanian government's goal is to meet the standards set by the European Union, so that my home country can join the EU in the near future," says Nika. "The integration process is often difficult and there are problems along the way."

— Toby Boyce

EurActiv.com provided historical information for this story.