Debate - Private sector approaches to water management for the poor

"Innovations in Microfinance" Series

A debate on Private Sector approaches to Water Management for the poor provides a unique opportunity to learn about private sectro microfinance approaches to water management that have been used for a range of purposes from purchasing household water connections and clean water storage units, like rainwater harvesting tanks to the construction of household latrines.

The debate sponsored by the Citi Foundation & Arc Finance is to be held at the New York Asia Society and Museum. The event can also be accessed via a free live video webcast. More details below the fold.

Approximately 1.1 billion people lack clean water supplies and 2.7 billion have no access to proper sanitation. To combat conditions that lead to sickness and disease, low income families across Asia are asking for clean water and improved sanitation to keep their families healthy and productive. Sophisticated modern piped water networks are too expensive for most developing countries and poor people living in the slums often pay 5 to 10 times more per liter of water than wealthy people living in the same city. Sensing a business opportunity, microfinance organizations are beginning to explore the market for making water more accessible to the poor.

Private-Sector Approaches to Water Management for the Poor Co-organized with Arc Finance; Sponsored by Citi Foundation Opening remarks Bruce Schlein, Vice President, Corporate Sustainability, Citi.

Panelists: - Claire Lyons, Manager, PepsiCo Foundation - Joe Madiath, Founder and Executive Director, Gram Vikas, a rural development NGO, and Founding Board Member, BASIX (India) - Paul Sathianathan, Executive Director, Gramalaya Urban and Rural Development Initiatives and Network (GUARDIAN) (India) - Kurt Soderlund, CEO, Safe Water Network (USA) - Gary White, Executive Director and Co-founder, WaterPartners International (USA) Moderator: - Nicola Armacost, Managing Director & Co-Founder, Arc Finance * * * This event will be a free live video webcast from app. 12:30 to 2:00 pm EST on www.AsiaSociety.org. Online viewers are encouraged to send questions to . To participate in the live discussion at New York kindly use the following information: Date: June 3rd Time/Registration: 12:00-12:30 pm; luncheon/discussion: 12:30 - 2:00 pm Location: New York Asia Society and Museum, 8th floor, 725 Park Avenue, New York Cost: $50 members, $75 nonmembers, $35 students w/ ID (meal not included)