Innovations to Eradicate Global Poverty [06/03/19]

Doors open @ 6pm -- Come early and meet other Long Now thinkers -- Presentation starts @ 7pm

A Long Now Boston Community Conversation with
Eleanor Murphy, Director of East Coast Development • Acumen
Katherine Collins, Head of Sustainable Investing • Putnam Investments

Extreme poverty has been a “normal” part of the human experience since our species’ origin. For hundreds of years, those who live beyond poverty have been trying to “help” those who are poor. Yet after all of those efforts, and despite the wealth, technology, and connectivity that exists today, deep poverty persists. There must be a better way.

Traditionally, poverty was a charitable concern, to be addressed locally or within ethnic or national boundaries. In the 20th century, a new humanitarian ethic began to emerge, giving rise to big government philanthropy and development. While both private charity and government play important roles, vast populations remain in poverty. Half of the world’s population is poor, and many lack access to infrastructure and resources that would meaningfully improve lives. Thomas Edison invented the light bulb in 1879, but electricity does not yet reach one in seven people on earth today. A billion people worldwide live in communities without basic health care. Acumen and Last Mile Health are two philanthropic organizations taking novel approaches to remedy these gross inequities.

Acumen (acumen.org) is a philanthropic organization that embraces a radical approach, rooted in the mission of providing dignity to every human being. It starts by listening to the voices of the unheard. It provides capital that works for, rather than controls, and serves as a means, rather than an end. Innovation is key: Embracing what works; Letting go of what doesn’t; Taking risks supporting entrepreneurs who treat the poor like customers, delivering both profitability and outsized social benefits. The approach requires lots of patience, combined with a healthy infusion of business acumen.

Last Mile Health (lastmilehealth.org) began with a vision of universal justice, quality, and care, and the ambitious goal of achieving access to health care for everyone, everywhere, every day. The focus is centered on the power and effectiveness of community health workers who are part of the communities they serve. By training, equipping, supporting, and paying these professionals, quality care can be delivered effectively. By partnering with government and others in the field, the community benefits are amplified.

Together with other trailblazers whose work is driven by a similar moral compass, these organizations are embracing and navigating the tensions that exist in an interdependent, interconnected world. The goals are lofty, and also achievable: to use innovation, capital, and - most of all - deep human connection, to create a future without the poverty and injustice that have persisted through the millennia.

Join the conversation and be part of the solution.

$15 in advance // $20 at the door. Students w/ID admitted free.
Audience participation is encouraged.

If Eventbrite tickets sell out, seating for walk-ups will unlikely be available due to room size.

Eleanor Murphy is Director for East Coast Development with Acumen, a philanthropic investment company founded in 2001. Well-versed in impact investing, poverty alleviation and venture philanthropy as well as wealth management, investment philosophy and estate planning, she is a graduate of Boston University in International Relations and Affairs and earned a Masters in Humanities from NOHA, the Network on Humanitarian Action, at the University College of Dublin.

Katherine Collins is Head of Sustainable Investing at Putnam, Founder of Honeybee Capital Foundation and author of the book, The Nature of Investing. Katherine served as a portfolio manager and head of research at Fidelity and then set out to re-integrate her investment philosophy with the broader world, traveling as a pilgrim and volunteer, earning her MTS degree at Harvard Divinity School, and studying biomimicry. Katherine is also the board chair at Last Mile Health.

We’re proud and excited to welcome Eleanor and Katherine to the Long Now Boston community.

Cambridge Innovation Center is an in-kind sponsor of this Long Now Boston conversation. We are very grateful for their support.

Innovations to Eradicate Global Poverty

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