Media Advisory:
WHAT:
The World Resources Institute’s (WRI) international conference on “Eradicating Poverty through Profit: Making Business Work for the Poor”
WHEN:
December 12-14, 2004 (Sunday to Tuesday)
WHERE:
Renaissance Parc 55
55 Cyril Magnin Street, San Francisco, CA USA
WHO:
Confirmed speakers include:
WHY:
This new conference is focused on the controversial hypothesis that the multi-trillion dollar market of poor people can be well-served by a productive economic partnership with private sector companies, reducing poverty and making money for companies at the same time.
The purchasing power of the world’s 4 billion poor is immense. In just 18 countries, this market amounts to $1.7 trillion, roughly equivalent to the annual gross domestic product of Germany.
A growing body of evidence, compiled by WRI and its conference partners, indicates that the poor represent a source of both innovation for businesses, as well as the largest untapped consumer market on the planet. Business engagement with the poor serves two critical purposes: it is a source of growth for business, and a means for the poor to end economic isolation and expand opportunities.
For updated conference information, visit the conference website at http://povertyprofit.wri.org. Journalists who want to cover the event should email a completed Media Registration form (located in Microsoft Word format at http://povertyprofit.wri.org/registration/media_reg.html) to Paul Mackie at [email protected].
