WHAT: A four-week virtual, online discussion leading up to the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) international conference on “Eradicating Poverty through Profit: Making Business Work for the Poor,” San Francisco, December 12-14, 2004

WHEN: From October 25, 2004 to November, 26, 2004

WHERE: povertyprofit.wri.org/resources/virtual.html

WHO: The discussions will include insights from many individuals in the business and development community.

WHY: In order to identify approaches that will be effective in the field, it is essential to involve as many key stakeholders as possible. However, given financial and travel constraints, many key stakeholders will be unable to attend the face-to-face conference. This virtual conference will allow them to still have their voices heard.

The virtual conference will be moderated and make possible the participation of NGOs, community groups, entrepreneurs and small/medium-sized enterprises, and university experts from developing countries.

Beginning October 25, virtual discussion topics will concentrate on “The Role of the Private Sector on Development.” Beginning November 8, the focus will be on “Cross-Sector Partnerships.”

This virtual conference is co-sponsored by dot-ORG and hosted by the Skoll Foundation’s Social Edge and Global Knowledge for Development. WRI is pleased to welcome the Development Gateway online community as a virtual conference partner.

This virtual conference is being held prior to WRI’s international conference – Eradicating Poverty through Profit: Making Business Work for the Poor – to be held December 12-14, 2004 in San Francisco, CA.

For updated conference information and registration details, visit the conference website at povertyprofit.wri.org. Journalists who want to cover the event should e-mail or call Paul Mackie.