Brief BASE ENG

On June 6 and 7 of 2013 the Inter-American Development Bank will celebrate the II BASE Forum in the Plaza Mayor Convention Center in Medellín. The Forum’s main goal is to showcase how the productive sector and financial institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean are successfully serving low-income populations with commercially viable business models; markets solutions through which the private sector is contributing to solve the region’s most important development challenges. During the Forum, participants will also have the opportunity to share good practices and identify what tools are necessary to create the proper ecosystem that enables the private’s sector more active participation in the provision of goods and services to the base of the pyramid.

The I BASE Forum, which took place in São Paulo, Brazil, gathered over 800 people from all around the world (60% from Brazil and 40% from the region, North America and Asia), including business leaders, thought leaders, multilateral organizations, government officials, impact investors, media and non-for-profit organizations.

The event counted with the participation of over 70 experts coming from 15 countries. The agenda included leaders such as Michael Chu (Harvard Business School y Director, IGNIA Fund), Fabio Barbosa (CEO Grupo Santander Brazil), Alexandre Tombini (President, Central Bank) and Maria Cavalcanti (former Manager at Avina and current Director, FIRST).

The BASE Forum in Brazil was covered by local and international media. Among the Brazilian media were Media Estado, Folha, Valor, Globo, O Estado de S. Paulo, Dinheiro and Brasil Econômico. With the latter, the WSJ and the Financial Times produced over 25 articles on the city and the country.

For BASE II, the IDB expects 800-1,000 participants from Colombia (60%), the rest of the region, Europe and Asia (40%). Just like in 2011, the Forum will attract business leaders, academics, impact investors, government officials, and international organizations. The IDB has convened—directly and through allies—over 7,000 people.

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Among the media that already know about the Foum are: the Financial Times, New York Times, Americas Quarterly, Semana, El Tiempo, Portafolio, El Colombiano, Caracol Radio, Telemedellín, ADN, Todelar, Noticiero Económico Antioqueño, among others. In order to ensure media and international participation, the Organizing Committee is working closely with Proexport’s (Colombian agency for exports, tourism and foreign investment promotion) offices in Bogotá and Medellín. Additionally, the city will be prepared to welcome national and international participants thanks to the IDB’s work with Medellín’s International Cooperation Agency (ACI) and the Convention Bureau.

In 2011, OMJ partnered with Grupo ABC in Brazil the 18th largest marketing and communications group in the world. For BASE II, the IDB is forging a new partnership with Comfama, a private social enterprise—family compensation fund—with nearly three million members (workers, retirees, beneficiaries of an unemployment subsidy, etc) in the department of Antioquia. Comfama’s social mission and broad membership make it an ideal strategic partner for the BASE II. The IDB is aware of Comfama’s managerial expertise and their reputation in Colombia and the region. In an effort to convene the most representative and important organizations in Antioquia, the IDB has invited Proantioquia to advise the Organizing Committee.

Details When: June 6-7 2013 Where: Medellín, Colombia (Centro de Convenciones Plaza Mayor de Medellín) Expected participation: 800-1.000 people Registration fee: US$250 Contact: Lina Salazar Ortegón (linasa@iadb.org)

www.forobase2013.com @majoritymarkets

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A look at the II BASE Forum Agenda

The Forum’s agenda will dive into the most relevant issues to the field of business models for the base of the pyramid as market solutions to social and economic challenges. Through four plenaries (two each day) BASE will encourage the discussion around key issues such as: 

Colombia: Country of Pioneering Companies serving the Base of the Pyramid

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Taking the Great Leap to the Markets at the Base of the Pyramid: Strategy or Chance?

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The Challenges of Financing Business Models for BOP

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Business Leaders of Tomorrow: Pioneering models for BOP

Don't miss this opportunity to learn about new business opportunities and network with investors and industry experts. Panelists include: 

Iqbal Quadir, founder and director of the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT. In the 1990s, Quadir founded Grameenphone, which provides effective telephone access throughout Bangladesh.

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Stuart L. Hart, professor, co-creator of the BOP concept and Samuel C. Johnson Chair in Sustainable Global Enterprise at Cornell University.

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Deepa Prahalad, author, business strategist and consultant specializing in opportunities at the intersection of consumer experience, technology and strategy.

Besides the plenaries and keynote presentations, the Forum will include six concurrent sessions each day that will deepen the discussion about the challenges and opportunities at the base of the pyramid in sectors such as education, housing, health care and connectivity. Other topics will include the importance of private platforms of distribution as channels to access the base of the pyramid; integration of the base of the pyramid into value chains; and credit risk methodologies for financial inclusion.

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Colombia as the Host Country of the II BASE Forum Colombia is the perfect setting for BASE 2013. The country has experienced positive growth in the last decade and is now perceived as a safe and reliable investment location, with stronger and more efficient institutions, as well as a country with great potential for the development of BoP business models. The country has positioned itself as a regional reference for countries with similar challenges as it is a pioneer in the creation and structuring of the so called social sector for achieving some of the most important social and economic goals.

The IDB has selected Medellín as the headquarters of the II BASE Forum because the city has positioned itself as a world leader in social innovation and socio-economic development, aspects that complement the IDB’s mission and its work with the majorities. Similarly, Medellín protrudes into the country as the cradle of entrepreneurs with remarkable social sensitivity and committed to equitable development.

In the past the Bank has recognized the value of Medellin as a magnet for international audiences during the IDB Assembly 2009. This is validated by the celebration of the 2010 South American Games and the next World Urban Forum 2014. The recent recognition of Medellín as City Year, Innovation Centre by the Wall Street Journal and Citibank, over cities like New York or Tel Aviv, confirms that Medellin is the new venue of choice for world-class events.

The agenda of BASE for 2013, as well as regional and international audience of high level that the IDB will ensure during the Forum, complement and align with Colombia’s development efforts. Joining forces for the celebration of BASE in Colombia is definitely strategic and relevant for the country and the IDB.

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SPONSORS -

BMF OEeB BANCOLOMBIA AGENCIA PRESIDENCIAL PARA LA COOPERACION INTERNACIONAL APC COMFAMA CITI MICROFINANZAS ALCALDIA DE MEDELLIN EPM PROMIGAS (& BRILLA) COCA COLA CEMEX NESTLE SABMILLER HALLORAN PHILANTHROPIES ISAGEN VISA PEPSICO ECOPETROL ALPINA

Special Supporters -

PROEXPORT AVIATUR AVIANCA CENTRO RS CORPORACION COLOMBIA INTERNACIONAL

Promotion Collaborators -

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SEMILLA CONSULTORES BUENA NOTA ASHOKA GLOBAL COMPACT COLOMBIA AFE INDICE SLA NEXT BILLION ESPANOL NEXTBILLION INGLES MANAUS CONSULTING BUSINESS CALL TO ACTION AGORA ANDI CECODES WBCSD CONFIEP PERU 2021 IMPACT ECONOMY CORPEI UN TECHO

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