Technologies to Fight Poverty
Kick-Starting Growth in Developing Countries
Martin J. Fisher
Co-Founder/Technical Director ApproTEC
Friday, November 15, 2002
10:30 am
Green Auditorium
Over 40% of the world's population languishes in debilitating poverty, living on less than a dollar a day. Yet throughout history poverty has been overcome by developing and using new technologies that unlock the entrepreneurial spirit, create new jobs, and accelerate economic growth. In developing countries, however, there is almost no investment in new tools, equipment, and ways of doing things to help the poor get ahead. ApproTEC, an international non-profit founded in East Africa, develops and promotes new technologies that are bought by local entrepreneurs to establish highly profitable, small-scale businesses. Over 25,000 new businesses have been started and over 600 more are being established every month. Just as in America, the effective introduction of the right technologies unlocks the potential of the private sector and becomes a driving force for sustainable economic growth.
Anyone outside NIST wishing to attend
must be sponsored by a NIST employee and
receive a visitor badge.
For more information, call Florence Parkhill at 301-975-4203.
Colloquia are videotaped and available in the NIST Research Library.
Super-MoneyMaker Pressure Pump in use
KVM-Thika, a local manufacturing firm in Kenya.