LEADING WORLD ECONOMIST TO HEADLINE
ANGARA CENTRE CONFERENCE

Harvard economist and best-selling author, Dr. James Robison is set to visit the country to headline a Roundtable Conference co-hosted by the Angara Centre for Law and Economics and The World Bank on December 5, 2012, Wednesday, from 9:00 to 12:00 noon at the Ballroom 1 of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati City.

Entitled, "Why Nations Fail", the Conference is named after the bestselling book by Robinson: a compelling analysis of the world's financial disposition. The book answers the question that has stumped experts for centuries: Why are some nations rich and others poor, divided by wealth and poverty, health and sickness, food and famine?

The Angara Centre for Law and Economics, formally launched last August of this year, is the Philippines' first private-sector law, regulation, and economic policy think-tank, where the country's best intellectuals will work in tandem with global economic and legal experts to design constructive policy reforms and institutions for Philippine development.

The conference will feature a keynote speech from Dr. Robinson, Harvard University's David Florence Professor of Government. This will be followed by a roundtable discussion with knowledgeable and well-respected representatives from the academe, business, and media. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. John Nye, Frederic Bastiat Chair in Political Economy, Professor of Economics at George Mason University and Executive Director of the Angara Centre.

The event is expected to gather 150 of the country's top policymakers, senior officials and thought-leaders for the half-day session on public reform.