NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

The 8th Urbanization and Poverty Reduction Research Conference will bring together academics and development practitioners to present and discuss questions relating to urban expansion and the future spatial organization of cities.

The theme is of increasing importance to academics and policy makers alike as the supply of ideas and demand for solutions grow. Cities in developing countries are growing at faster rates and at lower income levels than those in developed country alternatives. If well-directed and well-managed, expansion and densification of urban areas can bring economic growth while also offering poverty reduction opportunities. If poorly directed and managed, the result can be congestion, contagion, and contraction.

Planning for the cities of tomorrow is thus a crucial task, but one benefitting from a multi-disciplinary approach. This edition of the conference will draw from economists and other scholarly communities at the interface of policy and research to understand which new ideas, new methods, and new collaborations can bring about the change necessary for development.

The policy-focused research conference day will take place on March 7, 2024 and is hosted by the World Bank (Development Research Group and Urban, Disaster Risk, Resilience, and Land), George Washington University (Elliott School of International Affairs and Institute for International Economic Policy), the International Growth Centre (Cities that Work and Cities Research Program), and Millennium Challenge Corporation. The Young Urban Economist Workshop and more technical conference will take place on March 8, 2024.

Sustainable Innovation and Systemic Impact with MIT’s Jason Jay

Join us for a compelling Luminarias Series webinar featuring a fireside chat and audience Q&A, where Impact Entrepreneur’s Laurie Lane-Zucker welcomes Jason Jay, a vanguard in the realm of sustainability at MIT Sloan.

This conversation will hone in on the transformative theories of change that underpin sustainable innovation and drive systemic impact, aiming to dissect the frameworks and strategies instrumental in navigating the transition towards a more sustainable economy.

We will focus on:

• Balancing the ambition and realism of environmental goals within enterprises.
• The crucial role of systemic investing in confronting complex social challenges, advancing beyond traditional single-solution approaches.
• Pinpointing leadership capabilities essential for spurring cross-sector collaboration and spearheading systemic sustainability transformations.
• The catalyzing role of sustainability-oriented innovation as a conduit to pioneering business models and solutions.

Drawing on the depth of Jason Jay’s recent co-authored articles (here, here, and here), this webinar promises to equip leaders, innovators, and change agents with the insights needed to maneuver the intricacies of systemic change and sustainable innovation. Engage with us in a session designed to redefine the synergy between entrepreneurship, investment, and education in our collective quest for a durable and resilient impact economy.

Time: 12:00 – 1:15 ET

Time: 12:00 – 13:00 GMT-5 / 12:00 – 1:00 EST

For anyone working at the intersection of climate and finance who is interested in learning how carbon forestry at scale can drive global impact and climate action, we invite you to join us for an informative and interactive webinar co-hosted by our friends at World Tree.

This webinar will cover how sustainable lumber, crops, and carbon credits are changing biodiversity for the betterment of people and the planet. Our esteemed panelists will share examples of regenerative agriculture and positive economic returns matched with significant social and environmental benefits.

Attendees will dive into the synergy created when diverse groups — including financial institutions and organizations — unite for a common cause. Together, we will explore how organizations dedicated to nature-based solutions for global challenges create forestry projects that protect native forests, promote renewable timber production, enhance carbon sequestration, and support sustainable socio-economic development in marginalized rural communities.

Speakers:
• Margaret Morales, Director of Carbon at GreenBiz Group (moderator)
• David Sternlicht, Head of Nature Investing at Ethic
• Doug Willmore, CEO at World Tree
• Kalob Williams, Managing Director of Agricultural Operations at Renewable Resources Group Nature-Based Solutions

AVPA invites all fund managers, resource allocators, venture managers, investment leaders, corporate decision makers, entrepreneurial ecosystem builders, and development partners to join our upcoming webinar: Investment Outlook 2024 – West Africa; What the Data and Trends Say, and What They Mean for Funding Flows, Fund Managers, and Venture Builders. The current global economic complexities have significant implications for regional funding flows, fund managers, and venture builders. Therefore, investment decisions can greatly benefit from insights derived from well-researched data and trends, which can help attract funding more seamlessly, manage it more efficiently, and deploy it more impactfully. By joining AVPA and our seasoned speakers on March 7, you can stay ahead of the curve with insights that can help you make informed decisions and position yourself for success in 2024 and beyond. Our speakers will engage in insightful conversations, exploring the most important data and trends that will shape the investment landscape in West Africa. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and connect with other professionals in the industry. Register Now!

Time: 8:00 AM ET

SheSparks 2024 isn’t just an event. It is an online + offline campaign that will run across February and March 2024, culminating with a grand finale event in Bengaluru that will bring new women role models for India to the forefront, spotlight thought leaders driving equitable change, draft policy recommendations to be sent to the government, bring fresh and actionable learnings from women changemakers, and invest in innovative women-led businesses with the hope to kickstart a movement of change.