Playing in invisible markets: Innovating to harness the economic power of the poor
Dr. Shyama Ramani,
This lecture will explore why it makes economic sense to invest in research and development that specifically targets low income groups, with the greatest unmet needs. Drawing upon her post-Tsunami initiatives in promoting sanitation and her previous work on the Indian economy, in particular the health sector, Dr. Ramani will explore the complementary role of firms, non-governmental organizations and the State in promoting innovation for development, highlighting some successes that can be adapted in other developing country contexts.
The lecture will be followed by open debate, led by a panel of eminent scholars, including:
Prof. Richard Nelson, Earth Institute at Columbia University, USA
Prof. Shulin Gu, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
Dr. Suma Athreye, Brunel Business School, UK
Prof. Ana Castro, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Prof. Luc Soete, Director United Nations University-MERIT, Maastricht.
The lecture is free and open to members of the public
About the speaker
Dr. Shyama Ramani is Senior Researcher at the National Institute of Agricultural Research in France and Coordinator of the Friend-in-Need Trust, a Franco-Indian Tsunami Reconstruction Project based in Tamil Nadu, India.
Venue: Aula, Maastricht University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Tongersestraat 53
Date: 13 February 2008
Time: 19:30 - 21:30 CET
