Introduction
Mass poverty is one of the world’s most pressing problems and daunting challenges. The compelling facts are well known:
• Over one billion people – almost one in five – live in extreme poverty, subsisting on less than a dollar a day.
• If the poverty line was raised to $2 a day, more than half of the world’s population would be living in poverty.
• Over 100 million primary school-age children cannot afford to go to school.
• Eight million people die each year simply because they lack the means to survive.
• Over 11 million children die each year from preventable causes like malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia.
• According to the 2001 US census, the wealthiest 20 percent of Americans accounted for more than 50 percent of the national income, while the poorest 20 percent accounted for 3.5 percent
Much progress has been made over the last few decades. Global poverty is rapidly falling for about 80 percent of the world and the number of people living in extreme poverty has been cut in half. Yet, many challenges exist, from the expected rise in population in developing countries over the next four decades – representing 86 percent of the world’s population – to the anticipated, and unanticipated, consequences of global warming. Eschewing ideology, this year’s EPIIC colloquium will seek a nuanced understanding of the concepts and reality of global poverty. Is it possible to transcend the images of starving children, the stereotypes of ruthless corporations, and corrupt politicians, to explore a realistic agenda for alleviating poverty? Click here to read the course description>>
2008 EPIIC International Symposium Detailed Schedule (Schedule subject to change)
View the Full Program here
Wednesday, February 20th
- 11:00am | Cabot 702 |Microfinance and the Challenge of Eradicating Poverty
Thursday, February 21st
- 7:00pm | Cohen Auditorium | Your Future in an "Everyone a Changemaker" World
- 8:00pm | Cohen Auditorium | Megacities: Global Slums and the Urbanization of Poverty
Friday, February 22nd
- 12:00pm | Cabot Auditorium | Scarcity and Sustainability: Climate Change and the World's Poor
- 2:00pm | Cabot Auditorium | The Resource Trap: Conflict, Corruption and Failing States
- 6:30pm | Cabot Auditorium |Welcome and Introduction
- 6:45pm | Cabot Auditorium | Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award Presentations
- 7:00pm | Cabot Auditorium | Announcement of the Nelson Mandela/Mac Maharaj Scholarship
- 7:10pm | Cabot Auditorium |Visual Introduction to Poverty and Inequality
- 7:30pm | Cabot Auditorium | Alleviating Poverty: Is Aid the Answer?
Saturday, February 23rd
- 9:30am | Cabot Auditorium | Bottom-Up Development: Microfinance and Entrepreneurship
- 11:30am | Cabot Auditorium | Investing in Human Potential: Health, Education and the Millennium Development Goals
- 2:30pm | Cabot Auditorium |The Environment in an Unequal World
- 3:15pm | Cabot Auditorium | America's Poor: Is there a Domestic Poverty Trap?
- 5:15pm | Olin 101, 102, 103, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 116 | Breakout Sessions (please check the board on the mezzanine for brief descriptions and room assignments)
- 8:00pm | Cabot Auditorium | Illicit Trade and the Informal Economy: Abuse of the Poor
- 9:30 pm | Cabot Auditorium | ALLIES for Humanity: Civil-Military Relations for the 21st Century
Sunday, February 24th
- 1:00pm | Cabot Auditorium | Corporate Social Responsibility: Principles, Priorities, and Profits
- 3:00pm | Cabot Auditorium | Governance, Wealth, Power and Accountability
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Download the Symposium Poster here (PDF 2.7MB)
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