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World Bank Group Econothon World Bank Group Econothon

24-hour global ‘Econothon’ highlights the World Bank Group’s knowledge and priorities

A What-a-thon? Econ-o-thon? Live around the world? For a whole 24 hours? What? Where? Who? Why?

It sounds like a crazy idea – broadcasting discussions on development economics live from around the world for 24 hours. But that’s exactly the challenge we’re setting ourselves on July 24 and 25.

And there is method in this apparent madness. The World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries at a time when the world faces some of the biggest development challenges. We wanted an opportunity to share the wealth of knowledge at the Bank, provoke thoughtful discussions and engage a global audience in this important subject.

How can we stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty and best help people in developing countries? We’ll be seeking answers to these huge questions, and – because Development never sleeps – this unique event will circle the globe in the course of a day. Each one of the Bank’s global teams will highlight the priorities for their region, drawing on local expertise and experience.

And we want to hear from you throughout the day. Ask questions and give us feedback on how we’re doing. Here’s how you can follow the event online:

- Watch Live, submit your questions before the event and be part of the conversation.

- Follow on Twitter via #Econothon

The World Bank Group’s President, David Malpass, will kick the event off at midday on July 24 by exploring the issue of debt and the role of the Bank Group in supporting growth in individual countries. The World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva will lead a discussion on the economics of climate resilience and our Chief Economist Pinelopi Goldberg will address the debate over the best model for development. Over 24 hours we’ll hear from more than 50 of the Bank’s economists as they discuss a wide variety of topics including how to remove barriers that prevent women participating in the workplace, the scale of global debt, and why investing in people pays big dividends in the long term. 

Econothon Featured Speakers

And we’ll be doing all of this live – in real time. There will also be live interpretation in Arabic, French and Spanish for some of the segments. The full program agenda will soon be available here. It’s a massive logistical challenge as we attempt to stay on air and stay awake for the full 24 hours. We’re pulling together volunteers from our global staff to work on the event and every host will be drafted in from around the Bank. No one here has ever done or attempted anything like this before – wish us luck!


Authors

Jasmin Buttar

Head of Content and Creative for External Corporate Relations at the World Bank Group

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Dr Mangesh Kashyap
Its really important concept ECONOTHON. world bank group knowledge and priorities. I will be happy to participate.

Its really important concept ECONOTHON. world bank group knowledge and priorities. I will be happy to participate.

Akintola Lawrence Oyetayo
What can we do to reduce poverty in Nigeria.

What can we do to reduce poverty in Nigeria.

Dr K Bhanu Prakash
Climate Change, Economic Growth and Development, Poverty and Education are Global Issues to deal and discuss at length.

Climate Change, Economic Growth and Development, Poverty and Education are Global Issues to deal and discuss at length.

Premchand Teeloku
Focus to be on water and agriculture.housing and Education to be high on the agenda.

Focus to be on water and agriculture.housing and Education to be high on the agenda.

Oluwatobi Ogunbayo
Protecting and promoting agriculture is the key to stimulating developing economies. Industrializing the revolution can increase the global GDP and push up the economies of these countries. Few essential and economic crops initially at the front burner has been relegated and the need to use it to revive the global agricultural industry. Oil palm seats on top of the crops for countries around the equator and typical in the process of championing Oil palm is Malaysia. In Africa, Nigeria stands a greater chance of transforming the fortune of its people by massively investing in Oil palm and the current government has woken up. What is the World Bank current position on oil palm support for oil palm producing nations?

Protecting and promoting agriculture is the key to stimulating developing economies. Industrializing the revolution can increase the global GDP and push up the economies of these countries. Few essential and economic crops initially at the front burner has been relegated and the need to use it to revive the global agricultural industry. Oil palm seats on top of the crops for countries around the...

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Sikiru Oladele
What a nice initiative! This is a step in the right direction or call it Teamwork of Collaboration and Inclusion.

What a nice initiative! This is a step in the right direction or call it Teamwork of Collaboration and Inclusion.

Ernest Henry
We need a proper development in the Niger Delta region in Nigeria with a full cooperate help of from World Bank

We need a proper development in the Niger Delta region in Nigeria with a full cooperate help of from World Bank

Edosa Agho Obaseki
I would like to join in the conversation and discuss issues concerning development in my location, Nigeria. I have a group of volunteers that are committed to the propagation and implementation of the concept of Econothon in Africa at large and Nigeria in particular.

I would like to join in the conversation and discuss issues concerning development in my location, Nigeria. I have a group of volunteers that are committed to the propagation and implementation of the concept of Econothon in Africa at large and Nigeria in particular.

Abu A. Sangary
Thanks to World Bank Group for giving me this chance to add my voice to the million voices reaching you on a daily basis. As the African youths are seeing the continent of Africa as a hopeless zone nowadays in term of employment opportunities and prompting a huge numbers of the youth to embark on a clandestine route through the Mediterranean Sea to Europe and other places of the world in search of a greener pasture, what is the role the world Bank is playing to put an end to this uncomfortable journey?

Thanks to World Bank Group for giving me this chance to add my voice to the million voices reaching you on a daily basis. As the African youths are seeing the continent of Africa as a hopeless zone nowadays in term of employment opportunities and prompting a huge numbers of the youth to embark on a clandestine route through the Mediterranean Sea to Europe and other places of the world in search...

Read more
Ramjatan Thakur
This is the globalisation era. No countries can survive in isolation and WTO is the best forum for global trade but certain countries violate the principles of WTO that might be a great problem for developing countreis ?

This is the globalisation era. No countries can survive in isolation and WTO is the best forum for global trade but certain countries violate the principles of WTO that might be a great problem for developing countreis ?