NextBillion announces a unique opportunity for our community to participate in a global online conference called “The Role of the Private Sector in Poverty Alleviation at the Base of the Pyramid”.  The event is sponsored and organized by The Speaker’s Corner – a series of online conferences discussing issues around microenterprise and microfinance – and will be hosted by NextBillion ally Monica Touesnard, of Cornell University's Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise.  As the Managing Director of the Base of the Pyramid Learning Lab, Monica will undoubtedly bring a unique perspective to bear over the three-day online event.

The Speaker's Corner kicks off on Tuesday, June 23 and runs through Thursday, June 25.  Topics for the 3 day event will include: Roles for Private Sector Entities; Technologies for Enterprise Development; and Cultural, Political, and Geographic Limitations.

According to microLINKS, which hosts Speaker's Corners:

As the world’s population continues to increase, so do the environmental and social strains on our global system.  Despite technological advances, the number of people living in the base of the economic pyramid are increasing.  Multilateral and non-profit organizations have traditionally been viewed as the entities best suited to respond to and address these problems.  Recently, however, companies are beginning to realize that there is an opportunity to create new business enterprises while simultaneously trying to solve these environmental and humanitarian problems.  As a result, companies are experimenting with new business models in low-income communities using both old and new technologies.  Locally-embedded entrepreneurs are also trying to respond to local needs through new business ventures.  However, it is yet to be determined which models will prove to be successful.

The accessibility of this event makes it a truly unique opportunity.  We encourage our readers to participate and join the discussion.

For more information and to sign up for the event, please click here.

More about Speaker’s Corner: guided by leading experts on a topic, Speaker's Corners bring together professionals from across the world to share and discuss resources, ideas, and opinions, and to suggest and discuss new approaches to improve program and activity impacts.