Dr Miriam Altman is the executive director of the Centre for Poverty, Employment and Growth (CPEG). She has a BA in Economics from McGill University, an MPhil in Development Economics from the University of Cambridge, and a PhD in Economics from the University of Manchester. She has lectured at the University of the Witwatersrand in the Department of Economics, and at the Graduate School of Public and Development Management. On 30 April 2010, Dr Altman was appointed as a commissioner on the government's National Planning Commission Dr Altman has 20 years' research and practical experience in economic development issues. Since 1994 she has been actively involved in economic policy development and advisory services to the South African government. This work covers industrial, labour and employment policy at national, provincial and local levels. She has been an active participant in the formulation of industrial policy related to trade, technology, human resources development, regional development, investment incentives, and industrial development. Her work has been particularly concerned with employment creation in the process of growth and development. Dr Altman led the Economic Development section of the Greater Alexandra Urban Reconstruction & Renewal Programme, a presidential project focused on upgrading Alexandra and the surrounding industrial areas. This programme aimed to integrate Alexandra into the wider urban fabric, as part of Johannesburg's growth strategy. Dr Altman's publication record spans more than 80 publications and reports. Three edited books are forthcoming in 2006, on innovation in resource-based industries, the role of services in South Africa's development strategy, and on challenges for labour market policy in South Africa respectively. |
