Distinguished guests, notable speakers, and almost 4,000 participants at this year’s Conférence de Montréal

IDRC showcased the strength of the Centre’s research by hosting two panels at this year’s Conférence de Montréal (June 13-16, 2016).

Cracking the code: The promises and pitfalls of digital economies, moderated by IDRC’s Director, Technology and Innovation, Naser Faruqui, explored the spread of mobile and broadband networks and their potential for supporting economic growth in developing countries. Featuring Jeremy Auger, Chief Strategy Officer of D2L Corporation; Ania Calderón, Director General of Open Data, Presidency of the Republic, Mexico, and Coordination of National Digital Strategy in the Office in the President of Mexico; and Helani Galpaya, Chief Executive Officer of LIRNEasia, the panel discussed, among other issues, the need for analog complements to digital technology, including the development of skills required to benefit from open data.

Leveraging private finance for climate-smart development, moderated by IDRC’s Director, Agriculture and Environment, Dominique Charron, examined the significant role the private sector must play in light of the newly adopted Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. Featuring Edward Cameron, Managing Director of Business for Social Responsibility; Maria Emilia Correa, co-founder of Sistema B; Duncan Onyango, East Africa Director of Acumen, and Sarah Keyes, Sustainability Principal – Research, Guidance and Support at Chartered Professional Accountants Canada, the panel discussed, among other issues, the development of clean technologies and the need for the private sector to be more ambitious in their understanding of climate change.

In addition, IDRC President Jean Lebel moderated the plenary session Emerging countries and the global economy: Adopting the right strategy, which explored the weight of emerging economies on the global economy, including new trade agreements and the re-thinking of company value chains abroad.

Presented by the International Economic Forum of the Americas, the Conférence de Montréal is committed to improving knowledge and awareness of major issues relating to economic globalization. At this 22nd annual edition, almost 4,000 participants and 190 speakers encouraged international discourse by bringing civil society, international organizations, and the private sector together to share information and discuss current issues. This year’s notable speakers included The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs; The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade; The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health; conference co-chair Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO; conference co-chair Akinwumi Adesina, President of The African Development Bank Group; and Ricardo Lagos Escobar, President of Chile (2000-2006).