UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- John Hewko, vice president for compact development for the Millenium Challenge Corporation, will deliver an address titled, "Millennium Challenge Corporation: Promoting Democracy and Economic Growth in Developing Countries," at 9:30 a.m. on April 17 in 402 Burrowes Building on Penn State's University Park campus.

Hewko's talk is part of a speaker series sponsored by the Woskob Ukraine New Century Fund in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is a U.S. government corporation designed to work with some of the poorest countries in the world. Established in January 2004, MCC is based on the principle that aid is most effective when it reinforces good governance, economic freedom and investments in people. MCC's mission is to reduce global poverty by promoting sustainable economic growth through investments in areas such as transportation, water and industrial infrastructure, agriculture, education, private sector development and capacity building.

As MCC vice president, Hewko manages and coordinates all phases of investment program development with eligible countries, including proposal development, due diligence and design, and compact negotiation. Prior to joining MCC, he was an international partner with the law firm Baker & McKenzie, specializing in international corporate transactions in emerging markets.

In 1991 and 1992, Hewko was executive secretary to the International Advisory Council to the Ukrainian Parliament. In that position, he advised various parliamentary commissions in drafting the initial Ukrainian laws on foreign investment, anti-competition and corporations. He also assisted the working group that prepared the initial draft of the Ukrainian constitution.

Hewko received his bachelor's degree from Hamilton College, his master's from Oxford University and his law degree from Harvard University. He was a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace from 2001 to 2002 and for several years was an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center.

The Woskob Ukraine New Century Fund -- begun by real estate developers Helen and Alex Woskob of State College -- supports several other Penn State initiatives, including the Woskob International Research in Agriculture program, the Ukrainian Forest Resources Initiative and various other faculty and student exchange programs.

The Woskob fund also will support future planned initiatives in horticulture, food science, and alternative energy and biofuels research.

Natives of Ukraine, the Woskobs are founders and co-owners of State College-based A.W. and Sons Enterprises. Since 1963, they have developed numerous real estate projects in Centre County, including housing for thousands of Penn State students.

More information on programs sponsored by the Woskob Ukraine New Century Fund is available by calling the College of Agricultural Sciences' Office of International Programs at (814) 863-0249 or by visiting the Web at http://international.cas.psu.edu/.

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EDITORS: For more information, contact Deanna Behring, director of international programs for the College of Agricultural Sciences, at 814-863-0249 or by e-mail at dmb37@psu.edu.

Chuck Gill 814-863-2713 cdg5@psu.edu