Welcome and Introduction:
Stuart Corbridge, Pro Director at LSE, warmly welcomes everyone present and those joining online to the event.

Bill Gates’ Introduction:
Bill Gates, known for his work with Microsoft and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is praised as a tremendous ambassador for deploying private wealth for global health and development improvements.

LSE’s Focus on Development:
LSE has numerous academic units dedicated to economic growth, state building, and public service delivery in developing countries. The DFID-funded International Growth Center and a new program for African leadership are also part of LSE’s efforts in this area.

LSE’s Commitment to Understanding and Social Action:
LSE trains students to understand the causes of complex social problems and not oversimplify them. The school also instills a commitment to social action and social justice, inspired by its founders and previous directors.

Alicia London’s Introduction:
Alicia London, UK Country Director of the Global Poverty Project, is a former LSE student and an excellent ambassador for the LSE student body. She will take the stage to welcome the guest speaker.

Addressing Extreme Poverty:
The Global Poverty Project aims to eliminate extreme poverty within our lifetime. The project believes in empowering citizens to understand the causes of poverty and take effective actions to combat it.

Importance of People’s Participation:
The project encourages active participation through online discussions, tweeting, and commenting to raise awareness and engage a global audience.

1.4 Billion Reasons Presentation:
This presentation sheds light on the reality of extreme poverty, progress made, and strategies to overcome barriers like corruption and disease. Hundreds of thousands of people have witnessed the presentation, leading to increased awareness and actions to promote more effective aid, better governance, and ethical trade.

Global Poverty Ambassadors:
The project trains leading voices in the United Kingdom to deliver the 1.4 billion reasons presentation in their communities. These ambassadors will campaign for change, advocate for increased funding to fight childhood diseases, and raise awareness about the UN International Year of Cooperatives.

Cooperative Group Partnership:
The Cooperative Group is a key partner in launching this initiative, demonstrating their commitment to fighting extreme poverty through ethical trade, finance, and supporting organizations working towards change.

Ambassadors:
The Global Poverty Project features extraordinary young ambassadors from businesses and faith communities across the UK.

Vision and Impact:
The Global Poverty Project aims to tackle extreme poverty, which was initially seen as an impossible dream. The project created a presentation on ending extreme poverty and delivered it across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, and Canada. Offices were opened, and people engaged in various activities to raise awareness and funds for the extreme poor.

Public Awareness Event:
A massive public awareness event was planned during Chogom, when world leaders were in Australia, including a concert in Perth focused on ending polio.

Campaign:
A comprehensive campaign was launched, including viral videos, door-to-door relationships, and petitions that gained significant support. Celebrities, academics, and others joined the cause through blogs, photo shoots, shirt sales, and installations.

Collaboration:
The Global Poverty Project worked in partnership with others to achieve success.

Global Poverty Ambassador Program Launch:
The Global Poverty Project is launching a new program to recruit and train 100 Global Poverty Ambassadors who will lead advocacy efforts in their communities. The ambassadors will work to raise awareness about extreme poverty, promote fair trade, campaign to end polio, and ensure that the UK government keeps its promises to the world’s poor. The program is a partnership between the Global Poverty Project and The Co-operative.

Tom Stevenette’s Vision for the Future:
Tom Stevenette, one of the youngest Global Poverty Ambassadors, believes that information technology can be a powerful tool in the fight against extreme poverty. He envisions a world where people from all over the world can connect with each other and work together to share ideas and resources. He believes that this kind of collaboration will help to accelerate progress towards ending extreme poverty.

Hugh Evans’ Welcome:
Hugh Evans, the co-founder and global CEO of the Global Poverty Project, welcomed the attendees to the launch event. He expressed his excitement about the potential of the Global Poverty Ambassador Program to make a difference in the fight against extreme poverty. He also thanked Bill Gates and Professor Hans Rosling for their contributions to the movement.

Bill Gates and Professor Hans Rosling:
Bill Gates and Professor Hans Rosling are two visionaries who have made significant contributions to the fight against extreme poverty. Gates is the co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has invested billions of dollars in global health and development programs. Rosling is a Professor of International Health and the co-founder of the Gapminder Foundation, which promotes a fact-based worldview of global health and development. Both Gates and Rosling are expected to speak at the launch event and share their insights on the current state of extreme poverty and the barriers that need to be overcome to end it.

Population Growth and Environmental Concerns:
Many people assume that ending poverty and increasing the population to 7 billion will harm the planet. However, world population growth is leveling off and is projected to stabilize between 9 to 10 billion.

Historical Population Dynamics:
In the past, father and mother had six children, but four died due to infections and malnutrition. Around 200 years ago, population growth began as child mortality rates decreased.

Transition to a New Balance:
We are moving towards a new balance where father and mother have two children and don’t have to bury any.

Current Fertility Rate:
The average fertility rate in the world has declined from six in 1800 to five in 1950 and is currently at 2.5 children per woman.

Balancing Progress and Challenges:
We must recognize both the progress made in reducing fertility rates and the remaining challenges to achieve a sustainable population balance.

Population Growth Continuation:
Despite the decline in fertility rates, the population continues to grow due to the large number of children currently alive.

Population Growth and the Filling-Up Effect:
* Despite declining birth rates, the world’s population will continue to grow due to the filling-up effect.
* As people live longer and fewer children die, the population continues to increase until the number of births and deaths balance out.
* This process results in a gradual population growth even after fertility rates fall below replacement level.

Child Mortality and Family Size:
* Child mortality rates have declined significantly worldwide.
* As child mortality decreases, families tend to have fewer children, leading to a decline in population growth.
* This transition is evident in the demographic data of many countries, with most countries now having fertility rates below replacement level.

Death-Caused Population Growth:
* In some countries, high child mortality rates have contributed to population growth, as the need to replace lost children leads to larger families.
* As child mortality declines, population growth slows down, demonstrating the complex relationship between mortality and population dynamics.

Economic Growth and Health:
* Improved health precedes economic growth, and small child families precede economic growth.
* Investing in health and family planning can lead to economic development.

Poverty and Economic Development:
* Poverty is a major challenge, with 1.5 billion people living in poverty worldwide.
* Economic growth is essential for poverty reduction, but it is not sufficient.
* Investments in education, health, and infrastructure are also necessary to address the root causes of poverty.

Listening to the Poor:
* It is important to listen to the poor and understand their needs and priorities.
* The poor often have valuable insights into what interventions are most effective in alleviating poverty.

Dreams of the Poor:
* People living in poverty often dream of basic necessities such as electricity, mechanical mills, and fertilizer, which can improve their productivity and quality of life.
* Understanding these dreams can help policymakers and development practitioners design more effective interventions.

Hans Rosling’s Projections on Africa’s Population Growth:
Rosling predicts that even if women in Africa start having only two children from now on, Africa’s population will still reach 2 billion in 60 years due to population momentum.

Bill Gates’ Key Points:
The complexity of global poverty issues can be overwhelming, but resources like gapminder.org can help people understand the challenges and solutions. It is important to remind people about the urgent need to address global poverty and highlight the progress that has been made. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation focuses on health and agriculture as fundamental areas for improving the human condition and alleviating poverty.

Gates’ Achievements in Health:
The foundation has contributed to reducing childhood deaths from 12 million to 8 million per year, but more progress is needed. Gates emphasizes the importance of expanding vaccine distribution and developing new vaccines to combat diseases like malaria.

Gates’ Perspective on Agriculture’s Significance:
Agriculture plays a crucial role in addressing poverty, especially for small-scale farmers who struggle to feed their families. Good nutrition and health are closely linked, and malnutrition contributes to high childhood mortality and hinders children’s development. In contrast to the rich world, where agriculture is a minor sector, in poor countries, most people rely on farming for subsistence.

Gates’ Historical Comparison of Agriculture:
Gates presents a chart showing the significant shift in the United States from a predominantly agricultural workforce in 1850 to a more diverse economy today.

Food as a Central Concern:
In developing countries like Uganda and India, a significant portion of the population’s income (75% and 56% respectively) is spent on food. Food insecurity and the worry of not having enough to eat are pervasive concerns, taking precedence over other aspects of life such as education and healthcare. Food uncertainty arises from various factors like weather, supply chain disruptions, and crop diseases.

The Green Revolution:
In the 1960s and 70s, there was widespread pessimism about the ability to feed a growing population. However, two positive developments occurred: people began choosing to have smaller families, and the green revolution introduced new crop varieties that significantly increased grain output in countries like Pakistan and India. These advancements averted mass starvation and even led to an increase in the number of calories per person, benefiting mental development and reducing the risk of illness.

Challenges and the Role of Developed Countries:
Despite progress, food insecurity remains a significant issue in developing countries. Developed countries like the United States play a crucial role in addressing this challenge by exporting food to these regions. However, it’s important to recognize that developed countries often rely on developing countries for certain agricultural products, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

Challenges and Successes in Agricultural Productivity:
In the past, the Green Revolution led to significant increases in farming productivity, especially in China. However, progress stalled in Africa, leading to price fluctuations and reliance on imported food. Cassava, a drought-resistant crop, serves as a backup during challenging conditions but is susceptible to diseases. A scientific innovation in cassava modification offers hope for disease resistance, promising a positive impact on food security.

Progress in Healthcare:
New vaccines have been developed and funded, including the polio vaccine, which is close to eradication. Polio eradication efforts have faced difficulties due to the disease’s invisible nature and the need for high vaccination coverage. India has achieved a significant milestone by going a year without a single polio case. Challenges remain in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria, where vaccination efforts are hindered by various factors.

Importance of Innovation and Funding:
Innovation is crucial in addressing global challenges, with promising developments in vaccines and agricultural technologies. Adequate funding is necessary to support scientific research and ensure the availability of essential vaccines and interventions.

Myths and Misconceptions about Aid:
There are misconceptions and myths surrounding aid, leading to reluctance in supporting it. Aid is often perceived as being spent corruptly or ineffectively, contributing to population growth and instability. In reality, aid plays a vital role in improving education, stability, and environmental sustainability.

Encouraging Support through Personal Experiences:
Visiting affected regions firsthand can dispel misconceptions and foster empathy among policymakers and the public. Positive stories and experiences can influence decision-making and garner support for aid initiatives. The UK’s exemplary generosity and aid contributions serve as a model for other nations.

Importance of Data:
Bill Gates emphasizes the significance of reliable and timely data to inform policymaking and track progress towards goals like the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 1. The data on the effectiveness of malaria bed nets is lacking, hindering adjustments and donor understanding of the impact. The Gates Foundation invests in initiatives to digitize household survey data, enabling faster dissemination of preliminary data and facilitating data visualization. Data attribution challenges exist, particularly in attributing adult deaths to specific diseases like malaria.

Long-Term Impact of Aid and Investments:
Hans Rosling highlights the long-term impact of aid and investments, particularly in female education and child mortality reduction. The benefits of interventions like female education and mosquito net usage may take 10 to 30 years to manifest. The need for a holistic approach is emphasized, with investments across various sectors, including education, governance, and infrastructure. The eradication of polio is presented as an example of a long-term investment with significant future benefits.

Importance of Eradicating Polio:
Bill Gates stresses the importance of eradicating polio to prevent a resurgence of the disease and the associated high burden of cases. Stopping the eradication efforts and campaigns would lead to 300,000 cases of paralysis or death annually, negating the progress made to date. The cost of eradication may seem high, but it is a worthwhile investment considering the long-term prevention of cases.

Climate Change and Agricultural Improvements:
Gillian Graham raises concerns about the impact of climate change on agricultural improvements and poverty reduction efforts. The unpredictability and chaotic nature of climate change pose challenges to successful projects and can be discouraging for those involved. The question is raised whether this places an onus on foundations and Western countries to address climate change as a long-term problem.

Bill Gates’ Perspective:
Climate change is a severe problem but can be managed over a long period. The rich world must prioritize reducing CO2 emissions, while the poor world’s emissions are relatively insignificant. Tropical zones around the equator will face more severe consequences, including higher temperatures and weather variability. Rich countries should invest in research to develop crops resilient to drought and high temperatures, benefiting farmers in both developed and developing nations. Despite climate change concerns, investment in electricity production using coal can bring positive effects in poor countries, leading to improved living conditions and agricultural practices.

Hans Rosling’s Perspective:
Climate change should not be blamed for all problems, as issues like drought and population growth have existed long before. Severe effects of climate change may take generations to materialize. In poor countries, investing in coal-driven electricity production can have beneficial outcomes, including reduced child mortality, smaller families, improved education, and sustainable agriculture. The combination of heart, brain, and wallet is necessary for effective problem-solving.