Human Capital Summit: Investing in the Early Years for Growth and Productivity

Oct 06, 2016
11:00 - 12:30 PM
Preston Auditorium
World Bank Headquarters
12th Floor
Washington , DC 20036
United States
Investing in the early years is one of the smartest investments a country can make to break the cycle of poverty, address inequality, and boost productivity later in life. Today, millions of young children are not reaching their full potential because of inadequate nutrition, lack of early stimulation and learning, and exposure to stress. Investments in the physical, cognitive, and emotional development of children -- from before birth until they enter primary school – are critical for the future productivity of individuals and for the economic competitiveness of nations. Join us as country leaders share their commitments to reduce chronic malnutrition in children and expand access to early childhood development services by 2020.
Follow the event on Twitter with #EarlyYears
Jim Yong Kim, M.D., Ph.D. is the President of the World Bank Group. Soon after he became president in July 2012, the organization established two goals: ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity for the bottom 40 percent of the population in developing countries. Kim's career has been focused on health, education, and delivering services to the poor.
Before joining the World Bank, he served as President of Dartmouth College and held professorships at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health. From 2003-2005, as Director of the World Health Organization's HIV/AIDS Department, he led the "3 by 5" initiative, the first-ever global goal for AIDS treatment, which helped to expand AIDS treatment in developing countries. In 1987, Kim co-founded Partners In Health, a non-profit medical organization now working in poor communities on four continents. Trained as a physician and an anthropologist, he has received several awards, including a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship, and recognitions such as one of America's "25 Best Leaders" by U.S. News & World Report, and in 2006 TIME magazine named him as one of its "100 Most Influential People in the World."
Mr. Morales is the President of Guatemala (2016-2020). A comedian and television entertainer, Morales was elected president after a series of political scandals rocked the political establishment of the Central American nation in 2015. He has a degree in Bossiness Administration from Guatemala’s Universidad de San Carlos, a Masters in Strategic Studies from Guatemala’s Universidad Mariano Galvez and a Master’s Degree in Media Management from University of Texas, Pan-American in Edinburg, Texas.
Mr. Duncan was appointed Prime Minister, Head of Government, in addition to Minister of Economy and Finance in 2012. From 1970 to 1973, he served as Deputy Director of Interventions and External Economic Relations at the Ministry of Economy and Finance; from 1973 to 1974, he held a position in analysis and fiscal policies and was a “Special appointee” at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Samia Suluhu Hassan is the 10th Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania who Assumed Office on 5th November 2015, under President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli. Previously, she was a Minister of State, Vice Presidents Office in charge of Union Affairs. In 2005-2010 she served as a Minister for Tourism, trade and Investment in Zanzibar and in 2000-2005 a Minister of Youth Employment, Women and Children Development in Zanzibar.
Mr. Motazé is the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development of Cameroon. He holds a Specialized Higher Studies Diploma in International Transport. Before his appointment as minister, Motazé was the Director General of the National Social Security Fund. Previously, he was Secretary General of the Prime Minister's Office.
Mr. Mohammed is the Minister of Finance and Economic Cooperation of Ethiopia. Prior to his appointment, he was Vice President of the region of Oromia, in central Ethiopia.
Sri Mulyani Indrawati is the Minister of Finance of Indonesia since July 2016. Before her appointment, she was the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Bank Group since 2010.
She holds a degree in Economics from the University of Indonesia and a Masters and Doctorate in Economics from the University of Illinois. Previously she served as Indonesia’s minister of finance in addition to being the coordinating minister of economic affairs. She led the Indonesian National Development Planning Agency prior to her position as Finance Minister.
Her earlier positions include Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund, faculty member at the University of Indonesia and Visiting Professor at the Andrew Young School of Public Policy at Georgia State University.
Mr Rakotoarimanana is the Minister of Finance and Budget of Madagascar. He is an accountant and former Senior Financial Management Specialist at the World Bank office in Antananarivo, Madagascar. He also serves as Member of the Board of Governors at African Development Bank.
Muhammad Ishaq Dar in the Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization of Pakistan since June 7, 2013. Before his appointment, he was Leader of the Opposition in the Senate of Pakistan from March 2012 till 4th June, 2013. He has been a Parliamentarian in the last 20 years, currently serving fifth term as Member Parliament. His current term as Senator expires in March 2018.
Mr. Ba is the current Minister of Economy and Finance of Senegal. Prior to his appointment, he led the Senegalese tax office as Director General of Taxes and Fields. His experience also includes teaching the Central West African Training and Banking Studies (COFEB) of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO).
Julie Gichuru is a media personality and entrepreneur with investments in media, fashion retail and entertainment. She is an Independent Director on the Boards of Brand KENYA Board and Acumen Communications Ltd and is a Fellow and Trustee of the Africa Leadership Initiative EA, she also hosts the pan African television show Africa Leadership Dialogues.
Julie's career in the media over the past 15 years has seen her work across the fields of broadcast, print and digital media. Julie has also pioneered an impressive number of television shows, from the first Kenyan investigative TV series, The Inside Story on KTN to various current affairs shows at NTV including political and current affairs programs Showdown, On the Spot, You The Jury and The People's Voice, and the celebrated news program Sunday Live and peace and reconciliation program Fist to Five at Citizen TV. Also included in this list is the celebrated post election peace specials Voices of Reason.
Through ARIMUS Media Limited Julie now oversees the production of quality African content such as Africa Leadership Dialogues, high school debate platform Great Debaters Contest and entertainment series Maisha. The Footprints Africa Foundation (FAF) has been established by Anthony and Julie Gichuru to help empower and grow healthy, dignified and informed societies in the region. FAF believes in giving people a chance to make a mark, to leave a footprint of positivity on the world. Website: www.footprintafrica.org.
Julie Gichuru is an alumni of the Harvard Kennedy School and Oxford University's Saïd Business School.