Georgetown Global Forum

BACKGROUND

Open the newspaper or turn on the evening news on any given day and you will be confronted with a new level of challenges facing the world. From hunger and disease to global warming and economic development, the increasingly complex challenges to the human condition are no longer bound by national borders. To address these and other issues, governments, corporations, NGOs and philanthropists are working together in new and innovative ways to enrich lives and alleviate suffering. This rapidly changing global landscape has given rise to new philanthropists and philanthropies, such as Bill Gates and the Clinton Foundation, and a movement toward philanthropy based on free-market principles.

Meanwhile, the private sector is beginning to view global challenges not only as philanthropic needs to be supported, but also as strategic business opportunities in which to invest. Every year, the term "corporate social responsibility" appears in the most prominent sections of more corporate annual reports. Though economic and social development historically has been viewed as the responsibility of the public sector, recent years have brought new models of partnership with philanthropists, NGOs and the private sector.

WHAT IS THE GEORGETOWN GLOBAL FORUM?

Scalable and effective global development depends upon a coordinated response from all sectors of society. The Georgetown Global Forum, sponsored by Georgetown University, will bring together some of the most influential individuals, organizations and governments who are engaged in a wide range of development activities around the world to share, discuss, debate and collaborate. The Forum will provide real-world examples through panel discussions, case studies, research and major addresses by global leaders from the private and public sectors, academia, NGOs and philanthropic organizations.

WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED FORUM OUTCOMES?

The Georgetown Global Forum will go beyond discussion and dialogue; its purpose is to stimulate action to do good in the face of today's challenges. Through the Forum, we will:

* Achieve a better understanding of the implications of public policy;

* Provide perspectives on the role and obligation of the private sector in sustainable development;

* Share the experiences of new, scalable models of development; and

* Explore the use of faith networks and organizations as channels of delivery in underserved communities.

Online and post-event resources will provide a forum for sustained discussion and sharing of best practices. If you are unable to join, the meeting will be webcast live and can be viewed online.