Multi-country videoconference to connect NGOs and civil society

Strong economic growth in South Asia is creating political space for much-needed policy and institutional reforms to accelerate and sustain growth, and tackle long-standing social and economic problems. According to a World Bank report, this strong growth has created an unprecedented opportunity: a chance of ending poverty in a generation in South Asia, the region with the largest concentration of poor people. You are invited to participate in a multi-country videoconference to take place on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 to discuss how South Asian countries can contribute to a massive reduction in the number of poor people in the region and also reach the Millennium Development Goals on time. The event will be interactive and will include presentations from Washington and Delhi by reporters and authors Shantayanan Devarajan (Chief Economist, South Asia Region) and Shekhar Shah (Economic Adviser, South Asia Region), and a moderated discussion with participants from all countries connected. The discussion will address the following questions: 1. Is the goal of ending poverty in South Asia in a generation realistic and useful, or so unrealistic as to be particularly unhelpful? 2. Are the four actions needed to achieve this goal - accelerating growth, making it inclusive, strengthening human development and improving governance – the right ones? What is being left out? Are all four necessary, or could we achieve the goal with, say, three out of the four? 3. A common theme in making progress on each of the actions is to overcome government failures in various areas (mismanaged infrastructure, poorly-targeted transfer schemes and subsidies, absentee teachers and doctors, public-sector corruption, etc.). Is this an appropriate way of addressing the problems of growth, inclusion, human development and governance in South Asia? What would be other ways of addressing the same problems? 4. In addition to what they are already doing, what additional roles can non-governmental organizations play in helping to overcome government failures and accelerate poverty reduction in South Asia? How can external institutions such as World Bank work better with NGOs in accelerating progress towards the common goal of ending poverty in South Asia? To read the report 'Can Asia End Poverty in a Generation?' please go to: www.worldbank.org/endingpovertyinsouthasia Venue for the Videoconference: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Darbari Seth Block 6C, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003 Timings: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Contact: Vinod Bhargava bhargava@teri.res.in Mobile: 98110 09263 For further information: Hema Balasubramanian, Public Information Center The World Bank, New Delhi Office 70 Lodi Estate, New Delhi - 110 003 Tel: 4147 9465; Fax: 24619393 email: hbalasubramanian@worldbank.org http://www.worldbank.org.in

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