• Rajul Pandya-Lorch (Opening)
• Akhter Ahmed, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
• Johannes Linn, Executive Director, Global Economy and Development, The Wolfensohn Center, The Brookings Institution
• Peter McPherson, President, National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC)
• Joachim von Braun, Director General, IFPRI
• Discussion

• The World's Most Deprived: Characteristics and Causes of Extreme Poverty and Hunger
  Akhter Ahmed
  (PPS 965K)
• Taking Action for the World's Poor and Hungry People: Some Conclusions for Action
  Joachim von Braun
  (PPS 107K)

Despite much progress reducing poverty worldwide, a substantial number of the world's poorest people are being left behind. New IFPRI research finds that 162 million of the world's poorest people -- the "ultra poor" -- survive on less than 50 cents a day. They have benefited the least from substantial reductions in poverty around the world during the past 15 years. Who are these poorest people? Why are they being left behind? What new and different actions are needed to accelerate poverty and hunger reduction for these people?

The seminar will:

• highlight the new report on "The World's Most Deprived: Characteristics and Causes of Extreme Poverty and Hunger";
• offer insights on the suitable mix of pro-poor growth and social protection policies to decisively accelerate poverty and hunger reduction, and address political and institutional changes needed for effective action; and
• present conclusions and recommendations for the way forward from an international conference "Taking Action for the World's Poor and Hungry People" held October 17-19, 2007, in Beijing, in which more than 400 leading policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from around the world participated.