Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute at Columbia University

Initiative Session Date: February 14, 2003

Summary:
Jeffrey Sachs spoke to the Initiative and reminded the group of its power to make recommendations, to state a point of view, to replicate its efforts elsewhere, and to inject issues into the next presidential campaign. He reminded the group that global economic growth is in our economic and security interest. He urged participants to focus on the idea that they can aspire to end absolute poverty in the world by 2025 and that at this time there is a truly awesome opportunity to do this and to wage a campaign to transform fear into something constructive.

“It’s quite possible to arrive in the year 2030 where people are no longer dying of poverty. We could actually help lead a global end-not a reduction, but an end-to absolute poverty…I have always found that a committed, powerful group of leaders, can make a huge difference.”

     - Jeffrey Sachs, Speaking with the Initiative

Biography