President Bill Clinton and Nobel Peace Price Winner Muhammad Yunus To Keynote

2009-04-16T21:08:44+00:00

Second annual Global Forum to examine development in the midst of economic downturn

President Bill Clinton and Nobel Peace Price Winner and Microfinance Pioneer Muhammad Yunus To Keynote Georgetown Global Forum

New York, April 16, 2009 – The 2009 Georgetown Global Forum, “Profit, Policy & Philanthropy: The Keys to Global Development,” will convene in New York City tomorrow, just weeks after the world’s industrial and emerging-market countries made a significant commitment to global development at the G-20 Summit in London.

The second annual Georgetown Global Forum will serve as a laboratory for global government, corporate, NGO and philanthropic leaders to examine new and innovative ways in which they can create meaningful programs to alleviate suffering and assist developing societies.

"This Forum is another example of how higher education can play an important role in initiating dialogue and developing partnerships that bring solutions to some of the most challenging issues of our time," said Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia. "Efforts like this live out Georgetown’s mission of preparing future global leaders to serve others by engaging a range of ideas and perspectives to foster greater understanding and shape policy and practical implications that can make a difference in people's lives."

The day-long Georgetown Global Forum will feature President Bill Clinton, Nobel Peace Prize winner and microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus and other government, corporate and organizational leaders. Panel discussions will focus on establishing collaborative partnerships to develop innovative programs that will have lasting local and global impact. Topics include the global impact of the current financial crisis, new commitments to corporate social responsibility, and the role of faith-based organizations in global development, among other critical topics.

“In this global financial crisis, we must do more to address the persistent inequality in our world in a way that taps into our strengths and enables us to come out of this having made our society a better place,” said President Clinton. “Through the work of my foundation, we are helping to build public-private partnerships that engage governments, NGOs, and private citizens to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that will make a real difference in the lives of people around the world.”

Drawing from more than 30 years of experience, Grameen Bank founder Yunus will provide the keynote address and reflect on how microfinance strategies can have a vital role in building the capability of individuals to produce or perform. “The global economic crisis should also be looked at as a grand opportunity to redesign our financial system to make it into an inclusive system which will not reject anybody from offering financial services,” said Yunus. “I believe in the free market because it gives people options. Present free markets can be widened to give people options to invest for making money as well as investing exclusively for making a difference without any intention of making money personally.

“This newly designed free market can easily address environmental, poverty and health issues more effectively. Free markets must be an equal playground for both selfishness and selflessness. The world would be a much better and safer place if we do that,” said Yunus.

Forum participants are leaders in a wide range of development programs and represent a cross-section of political, ideological, religious and ethnic backgrounds. Lawmakers, scholars, business executives and representatives of key non-governmental and non-profit organizations will have a rare opportunity to share best practices and insights, debate productive approaches, and collaborate on effective strategies for solving some of the world’s most pressing issues.

Experts will provide their insight and expertise during five panels (click link for panel description and full list of speakers):

The 2009 Georgetown Global Forum is sponsored by Georgetown University in partnership with Eli Lilly and Company, a leading pharmaceutical company committed to addressing global health challenges such as diabetes and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

“These challenging times require highly effective global development programs and a coordinated response from all sectors of society. We are honored to team with Georgetown University in bringing attention to the innovations needed in global philanthropy. Our focus must be on collaborations that deliver measurable results and positive impact on the lives and communities we touch,” said John C. Lechleiter, chairman and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company.

Speeches and panel discussions will be broadcast live on the Web at www.georgetownglobalforum.com.

About the Georgetown Global Forum

The Georgetown Global Forum convenes distinguished scholars, business leaders, government officials and other experts to discuss critical issues of the day, including international relations, global health, global finance, intercultural and inter-religious understanding, poverty and access to education. The event builds on Georgetown University's longstanding tradition of fostering international dialogue and understanding through programming, research and scholarship. For more information about the Georgetown Global Forum, visit www.georgetownglobalforum.com.

About Georgetown

Georgetown University is the oldest and largest Catholic and Jesuit university in America, founded in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll. Georgetown today is a major student-centered international research university offering respected undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in Washington, D.C., Doha, Qatar and around the world. For more information about Georgetown University, visit www.georgetown.edu.

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Georgetown Global Forum: Press Releases

President Bill Clinton and Nobel Peace Price Winner Muhammad Yunus To Keynote

President Bill Clinton and Nobel Peace Price Winner and Microfinance Pioneer Muhammad Yunus To Keynote Georgetown Global Forum