This session has been made possible in part through generous grants from the European Commission's Directorate General for Trade and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Following the collapse of trade negotiations in Cancun, and as many parts of the international community work to translate the Millennium Development Goals into concrete action, debate continues about appropriate strategies of poverty reduction in diverse circumstances. Moreover, with the future of the World Trade Organization's so-called "development" round of negotiations more precarious than ever, serious questions persist regarding the effectiveness of foreign trade as an alternative to foreign aid in reducing poverty in the developing world.

This session will explore a number of issues central to these debates. What are the comparative advantages of each: trade versus aid, both in terms of meeting immediate needs as well as securing long-term sustainability of impoverished nations? What are the political, social and economic circumstances that make one policy preferable to the other? In what ways can these policies be combined or adapted?

While the United Nations' recent recommendations on Financing for Development recognize that the reduction of poverty - in both human and economic terms - is key to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, there is very little agreement about strategies at the practical level. This session will bring together policy-makers, practitioners and academics for a dialogue about the combination of approaches, actors and best-practices which should be pursued in different countries and regions in order to link economic growth and poverty reduction. How can development policy address both income and "capability" poverty? How can poverty reduction be linked to human development?

The fee for this session is US$5,000 not including travel. The fee covers the cost of the program, accommodations, and meals.

Limited financial aid is available and is awarded based on need. Applicants who believe they qualify for assistance should explain their circumstances in a letter, which should be submitted with their application