Report Contents
 Chair & President's Letter
 Sponsors
 Plenary Remarks
 Topics, Faculty & Hosts
 Recommendations
 Organizations
 Summary Report (PDF)
 
 
 University for a Night 2003 
 The Synergos Institute

University for a Night participants' recommendations on ways to promote more widespread prosperity revolved around creating an environment which enables broad-based economic growth. That environment requires effective government, efficient business, forward-looking public policies and healthy, safe and well-educated citizens.

Sabine Ohler of Saber Partners with Cornelio Marchán and Boris Cornejo of the Esquel Foundation

Increase the capacity of government and business institutions in Africa to perform their respective functions well. Revitalizing the corporate sector in Africa is vital to overcoming poverty. But too often the "business" of Africa is government -- with economic success tied to connections to government. African corporations must better serve the needs of consumers, employees and shareholders through increased efficiency. African governments must be strengthened in their capacity to provide an enabling environment for broad-based economic growth, allowing businesses to flourish based on their ability to meet the needs of the market. Investment in strengthening local and national human capital in the private and public sectors is vital. Civil society organizations can play a role both in providing training and also by serving as watchdogs and advocates for good corporate citizenship and government performance.
Examples of organizations working on this issue: Africa-America Institute, New Partnership for African Development

Strengthen local and national economic infrastructures to reap greater positive benefits from globalization. An environment that encourages investment and economic growth while protecting the needs of consumers, workers and the broader public can enable developing economies to best take advantage of the opportunities presented by globalization. A strong rule of law, stable infrastructure, and more transparent government and business activities can help attract investment in ways that fortify national and local economies.
Examples of organizations working on this issue: Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, US Agency for International Development

Increase the transparency of corporations and governments. Increasing efficiency and overcoming corruption require greater openness on the part of governments and corporations. International advocacy efforts such as the Publish What They Pay Initiative should be supported and complemented by discussions at the industry, country and regional levels about ways in which such transparency can be increased. For global businesses, legislation in home countries may be required to ensure that all businesses in a particular industry face the same obligations. In the case of governments in poorer countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America, international assistance may be needed to better enable governments to collect, use and share financial information in a timely manner.
Examples of organizations working on this issue: Global Witness, Merrill Lynch, Open Society Institute, Shell International

Deepen the impact of microcredit programs by recycling repaid loan monies in local economies. Microcredit has emerged as a powerful approach to fostering local development. Along with growth in the use of microcredit has come recognition that its impact comes not just from the volume of loans given, but also from the fact that microcredit promotes a more dynamic local economy, with resources being recycled locally to strengthen not only microentrepreneurs but also other people and business with whom they work. The involvement of large, external financial institutions in microcredit is a welcome development that should be expanded, but attention must be paid to ensure that resources put into communities by such institutions are allowed to circulate in those communities and not be extracted for short-term gain.
Examples of organizations working on this issue: Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Gente Nueva, Unitus, Women's World Banking

Fight the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases by increasing access to basic services for all people. Poverty, drug abuse, and lack of respect for human rights all contribute to the AIDS crisis. Addressing these pressing social problems can contribute to stopping the spread of AIDS and other infectious diseases. Greater provision of educational, economic and social opportunities can stem the growth of crime and drug abuse. Stopping rape and discrimination based on sexual orientation can help stop the spread of the disease and increase access to treatment.
Examples of organizations working on this issue: Atlantic Philanthropies, Global Equity Imitative of the Kennedy School of Government, International Women's Health Coalition, United Nations Population Fund

Use education as a fundamental approach to overcoming poverty and inequity. By targeting education where it can have big impact -- such as for girls, for recent drop-outs looking for work, and for semi-skilled laborers -- scarce financial resources can have larger results. Higher education should be tailored to local realities in developing countries -- educating "brains" to stay home through programs suited to local needs and opportunities.
Examples of organizations working on this issue: Aga Khan Foundation, Ford Foundation, Indian Institutes of Technology, C.S. Mott Foundation
 

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