As the 2012 Spring Meetings get underway, we've compiled a guide to many of the LIVE webcasts happening from April 18 to April 21. From wherever you are around the world, you can follow the conversation all week via #wblive, ask questions on our liveblogs and watch interviews with top global leaders in the 5 Questions, 5 Minutes interview series.
Several of the webcasts, interviews and liveblogs will be in multiple languages - watch and ask questions throughout the week's events in Spanish, French, and Arabic.
We hope you join us as the meetings examine how to Close the Gap on Global Inequality.
What's On: April 18
Close the Gap: Safety Nets Work - Liveblog &Webcast
Watch in English, French, Spanish and Arabic
15:30-16:30 GMT/11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET
As the World Bank-IMF 2012 Spring Meetings kick off, the Bank will host a special program on how safety nets have changed lives in middle- and low-income countries. Safety nets are a critical component of the Bank's new, 10-year Social Protection & Labor Strategy, set to launch April 18.
Latin American and Caribbean: Economic Outlook -- Liveblog & Webcast
Spanish Only
15:30 - 17:30 GMT/11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET
The Bank's chief economist for Latin America and the Caribbean, Augusto de la Torre, discusses the region's outlook in the world economy in the face of continued economic volatility, globalization and slowing growth in China.
Global Road Safety
16:30 - 18:00 GMT/12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET
Road crashes are the leading cause of death worldwide for youth aged 10-24. This dialogue will examine the U.N. Decade of Action for Road Safety and update participants on civil society engagement with road safety.
Jobs or Growth: Which Comes First? -- Liveblog & Webcast
Watch in English, French, Spanish and Arabic
20:30 - 21:30 GMT/4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. ET
Jobs are critically important for development, however, there is a debate about when a growth strategy is enough, and when a jobs strategy is needed. A panel of global experts from governments and academia will discuss the issue, which is also examined in the upcoming World Development Report 2013 on jobs.
What's On: April 19
Spring Meetings Press Briefing: World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick
Starts at 1:45 GMT/9:45 a.m. ET
World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick addresses the press during the 2012 Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Reducing Murder Rates in Central America -- Liveblog & Webcast
Spanish Only
15:00-17:00 GMT/11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Public and private sector leaders and experts brainstorm on responses to address the rising wave of crime and violence in Central America and its economic impacts.
Closing the Gap: Financial Inclusion--Liveblog & Webcast
Watch in English, French, Spanish and Arabic
18:00-19:00 GMT/2:00 pm-3:00 pm ET
“Unbanked” poor people face huge disadvantages coping with risks and disasters and improving their economic opportunities. An expert panel including Bank President Robert B. Zoellick and Mexican Finance Minister Jose Antonio Meade discusses how countries and citizens can make “financial inclusion” happen.
Catalyzing Change for Results in Africa
Watch in English and French
18:30 GMT - 20:30 GMT/2:30 p.m. -4:30 p.m. ET
This event will bring together high-profile leaders from regional institutions in Africa, country ministers, non-state organizations, and the World Bank to share lessons, challenges, and explore critical new directions on capacity development.
Supporting Social Accountability for Better Results - Liveblog & Webcast
Watch in English, French, Spanish and Arabic
21:30-23:00 GMT/5:30p.m.-7:00 p.m. ET
A year ago, citizen movements from across the globe demonstrated powerfully that citizens want accountability from their governments. Public participation in how governments operate is increasing –the crucial question now is how to sustain these efforts. A panel of global experts will examine this issue.
What's On: April 20
Rise of Safety Nets in Africa
13:00 - 14:00 GMT/9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. ET
A high-level panel examines how low-income African can use safety nets to combat poverty and cope with shocks arising from global economic downturns and climate change.
New Frontiers in Women's Empowerment - Liveblog & Webcast
Watch in English and Arabic
15:00-17:00 GMT/11:00 am-1:00 pm ET
Progress in gender equality hasn't automatically led to improved rights and voice for girls and women. A panel of experts from theWorld Bank's Advisory Council on Gender and Development discusses what is being done--and still needs to be done--to close the gender gap.
Water and Sanitation for All--Liveblog & Webcast
18:00-21:30 GMT/2:00 - 3:30 pm ET
Tune in as some of the development world's major water and sanitation decision-makers discuss ways to close still huge gaps in access to safe water and sanitation.
What's On: April 21
It's All About Jobs: From Asia to Africa
13:00 - 14:00 GMT/9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. ET
A panel including Helen Hai of the Huajian Group--one of the largest shoe manufacturing companies in China--examines how Africa can take advantage of emerging opportunities to create jobs and cut its high incidence of poverty in a world with new growth poles.
Spring Meetings Press Briefing: Development Committee
Time to be Announced
The joint World Bank-IMF Development Committee talks to the press aboutthe work of the Bank and Fund.
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