The discussion will look at the political and societal context, challenges as well possible actions and initiatives to tackle the issue of corruption in the region.

The Carter Center international conference on The Right to Public Information will reflect on the successes and lessons learned over the past decade in the access to public information (ATI) field and consider the emerging issues. Though there have been great advances, much in the world has changed and there remain a number of challenges including countries without laws, patchy implementation, and some continued resistance. In convening representatives from all the key stakeholder groups-- governments, donors, media, civil society, private sector, and academia - - the conference will critically examine the progress and begin to identify the necessary steps and measures to ensure the effective creation and implementation of universal access to public information.

Meeting convened by United Nations secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to advance the Millennium Development Goals for Africa. Participation of the OECD Secretary-General. New York, USA.

The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions. They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest.

The American Conference Institute and The Canadian Institute have assembled an exceptional faculty of seasoned corporate ethics and compliance executives, attorneys and government officials, who will provide the latest information on:

• Resources, tools and techniques leading companies are using to implement and maintain value-based anti-corruption compliance programs
• How senior management can credibly instill a compliance ethic
• How to balance the need for internal controls with the expectations of customers in their target markets
• What to do when your company is proceeding in the face of a known risk involving a commercial intermediary
• Determining when family or business relationships with foreign officials are too close
• Risks and concerns when the joint-venture partner is a governmental entity
• Participants will also receive a comprehensive set of written materials prepared by the speakers for the conference.

The Global Philanthropy Forum Conference is intended for individuals who have made a significant commitment to philanthropy, and executives from private, public, and corporate foundations.

Through conversations among elders and emerging leaders, donors and social investors gather at the Global Philanthropy Forum’s 7th Annual Conference to build alliances and spread the ideas necessary to promote human rights, advance global health, manage natural resources, spread economic opportunity and stop mass atrocities.

The Forum will comprise of numerous policy dialogue sessions which will bring together Bank and Fund staff, CSO representatives, government officials, and others to discuss important issues which will be addressed during the 2008 Spring Meetings.

Some of the panel topics under consideration include:

• Presentation and discussion of an assessment study: "Strategies for Engaging Civil Society in World Bank Training Programs."
• Discussion of the World Bank Group draft Strategic Framework on Climate Change.
• Discussion of the draft Strategic Framework on the World Bank Group Engagement with Civil Society.
• Workshop on odious/illegitimate debt.
• Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.