Global experts to speak at Conference on Poverty

The fifth annual Conference on Poverty will begin at 8:30 a.m. Sat., Nov. 18 at California State University at Channel Islands.

The conference will feature presentations by internationallyrecognized experts on issues of poverty in the world, as well as representatives of volunteer organizations working to reduce poverty.

The conference, sponsored by Rotary International District 5240 and CSUCI, is open to the public for a fee of $25.

CSUCI faculty and students, and members of Rotoract and Interact (Rotary service groups) may attend for free. Preregistration is required.

Lunch will cost $16. Student dining is available in the campus cafeteria. A group of Tuareg musicians from Niger, West Africa, will perform during the meal.

Keynote speakers are Dr. Dominique Van Der Mensbrugghe,

senior economist at the World Bank's Development Economic Prospects Group; Dr. William Ascher, the Donald C. McKenna professor of Government and Economics at Claremont McKenna College; and Dr. James L. RitchieDunham, associate professor at Harvard University and president of the Institute for Strategic Clarity.

Afternoon presentations will focus on Rotary and other volunteer efforts to alleviate poverty.

A reception for the speakers will take place at 6 p.m. Fri., Nov. 17 in the Channel Islands Art Center courtyard. Appetizers and no-host beer and wine will be available for $14 per person.

To register for the conference and luncheon, or the reception, call (805) 650-5915 or e-mail rotaryjan@pacbell.net or visit the conference website at www.povertyconference.com.