Economic Development Social innovations that improve the living standards of the poor

Vicente Fox - Mexico’s Economic Challenges and Opportunities

Most Americans are unaware of the enormous progress Mexico has enjoyed since the peso's devastating collapse in 1994. Former Mexican President Vicente Fox highlights his country's opportunities to foster democracy, develop entrepreneurism, and promote alternative energy sources as it emerges as a world economic power. He addresses challenges, including a poor educational system, rapid population growth, and dwindling oil reserves. This audio lecture is sponsored by the Stanford Center for Social Innovation.

Alejandro Toledo - Lifting Latin America Out of Poverty

Latin America may be poised to become a much bigger player on the world economic stage, yet 54 percent of its citizens would choose an autocratic regime over a democratically elected government if it meant more jobs. Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo reflects on the challenge of democratic development and consolidation in Latin America in this audio interview sponsored by the Stanford School of Education and moderated by Stanford sociology and political science professor, Larry Diamond.

Amory Lovins - Business Solutions to Climate Change

Better design integration and materials innovation can lead to big energy and cost savings, and rapid return on investment, particularly in the automotive and housing industries. Amory Lovins, one of America's most influential energy speakers, offers some profitable business-led solutions to climate, oil, and nuclear proliferation problems in this Stanford Center for Social Innovation sponsored audio lecture. Lovins offers strategies to reduce US oil dependence through a menu of renewable and fossil fuel types.

Panel Discussion - Environmental Sustainability and Development

Environmental sustainability faces one of its toughest challenges when it comes to international growth. In this panel discussion, experts consider how the accelerated rate at which developing nations now follow the footsteps of the United States is leading to the ever greater exploitation of natural resources. They discuss ways to achieve sustainable development.

David Funkhouser - TransFair’s Work in Fair Trade

Coffee price fluctuations over past decades have created extreme financial crises and long-term poverty for thousands of small-scale Latin American farmers. In this Stanford Center for Social Innovation sponsored audio lecture, David Funkhouser of TransFair USA, details how the Fair Trade movement arose as a market-based approach to poverty alleviation and international development. He discusses Fair Trade's function to offer suppliers fair, above-market prices, and TransFair's role in supporting that movement.