This panel will explore how infectious disease impedes economic growth in developing countries. Panelists will discuss the social and economic impact of HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria on developing countries and prospects for lessening the effects of these pathogens.

In response to Global Health challenges, such as HIV/AIDS the public, private and non-governmental organizations have all responded. The debate lies in which sector has responded in the most effective manner. And can often disjoint aid efforts better work together to provide solutions to the health needs of the developing world. Through a discussion of the various types of initiatives from government agencies such as USAID, private multi-nationals such as Merck, and most recently high level non-governmental initiatives such as the Gates Foundation a comparison will be drawn. Which sector is providing the most innovative response? How can the sectors better work together? Through a discussion of the different sector approaches and better opportunities for them to collaborate together a framework of best practices and successful strategies for future collaboration will emerge.

Two billion people, or roughly one third of humanity, still lack access to modern energy services such as heat, light and mechanical power, all of which are integral to economic development. Employing sustainable energy technologies to increase access to these services has proven beneficial to poor, underdeveloped communities by improving livelihoods and generating sources of income. In addition to the significant environmental benefits associated with sustainable energy technologies, cleaner technologies are often the most cost-effective solutions in remote, rural areas. In the case of electricity, for example, conventional grid-extension can be prohibitively expensive. Moreover, studies indicate that poor energy consumers have a high willingness and ability to pay for these technologies given the proper financial mechanisms. If the provision of modern energy services through sustainable energy technology creates a potential win-win solution for the environment, the private sector as well as poor, rural energy consumers, why haven’t more projects succeeded? Which economic, financial and policy barriers exist to successful implementation of profitable rural energy programs? What is the role of government, multi-lateral institutions, and the private sector? What are the important lessons to be learned from past rural energy efforts and how can we make projects more self-sufficient in the future? Lastly, what creative solutions can we employ to improve access to energy services in underdeveloped countries? Read more