In the wake of the worst economic crisis in decades, many are wondering where the global economy is headed. To shed light on the subject, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy will host a March 19 discussion with Robert Zoellick, president of the World Bank.

Zoellick will discuss "The Global Economic Architecture After the Great Recession" with Mahmoud El-Gamal, the Will Clayton Fellow in International Economics and Chair of Islamic Economics, Finance and Management. The event will begin at 3 p.m. in Baker Doré Commons on the Rice University campus, 6100 Main St.

Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, honorary chair of the Baker Institute, will deliver the welcoming remarks.

Zoellick has been the president of The World Bank Group since July 1, 2007. He served in President George W. Bush’s cabinet as U.S. trade representative from 2001 to 2005 and as deputy secretary of state from 2005 to 2006. From 1985 to 1993, Zoellick worked at the Treasury and State departments in various capacities for Baker, as well as briefly in the White House as deputy chief of staff. In 2006 and 2007, he served as vice chairman of Goldman Sachs International. Zoellick holds a J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College.

El-Gamal, who is also a professor of economics and statistics, is the co-author of the newly released "Oil, Dollars, Debt and Crises: The Global Curse of Black Gold." He specializes in international economics and finance, econometrics, behavioral economics and Islamic law and finance.

The event is part of the Mosbacher Global Issues Series.