Date: Monday 20th September, 2010
Venue: London School of Economics
Speakers: Dr Jenny Aker, Ken Banks, Dawn Haig-Thomas
Chair: Diane Coyle
IGC Growth Week 2010 Public Discussion
“Mobile phones have the potential to contribute significantly to economic growth in the developing world, in both the private and public sector. From improving market information for fish traders in Lake Victoria, to enabling medical outreach services in rural South Asia, the mobile is a versatile and adaptable tool. What impact can mobiles have on those previously excluded from financial services and communications networks? Which policies will help turn the promise of mobiles into real benefits for the poorest people?
This session, moderated by Diane Coyle, OBE, of Enlightenment Economics, features a panel of researchers and practitioners sharing ideas and experience from the field, discussing a range of case studies from literacy and conditional cash transfer programs in Niger to SMS-based communications for rural hospitals in Malawi”.
Jenny Aker is assistant professor of development economics at The Fletcher School of International Affairs, Tufts University.
Ken Banks is the founder of FrontlineSMS and kiwanja.net.
Dawn Haig-Thomas is director of the GSM Association Development Fund.
Further details of the event, including an audio version of the discussion, are available on the London School of Economics website.
You’re the Maestro…!