Role of new technologies in poverty alleviation and sustainable development

Poverty in the midst of plenty is a central challenge in today's global economy and social milieu. Alleviating poverty requires an in-depth understanding of its roots and devising effective strategies for its elimination. With the specific objective of laying down the foundation necessary for the identification of a technology strategy for poverty alleviation and to draw on the experiences and recommendations of the best and brightest professionals, a one-day conference was organized by the Tata Energy and Resources Institute-North America in association with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering on November 6, 2000, in Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
This publication brings together the views and perceptions that emerged during the conference. It focuses on the applications of energy, communication technology, and agro-processing as an opportunity for businesses to participate in socially oriented programs that could be effective in eliminating poverty. It also carries stimulating interviews with some of the eminent speakers of the conference. Consisting of the thoughts of some of the brightest people involved in addressing the eradication of poverty in its various dimensions, this publication hopes to facilitate a better understanding of how technology can aid the elimination of poverty and provoke further discussions on this subject.