Conference Introduction

Helping Failed States Recover:
The Role of Business in Promoting Stability & Development

Lawrence, Kansas
April 4-6, 2007

KU Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER)

Co-Sponsored by:

Black & Veatch University of Kansas School of Business Center for East Asian Studies Center for European Studies Kansas African Studies Center

Latin American Studies Office of International Programs Peace & Conflict Studies Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies

Early April saw scholars from around the world gather at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, for a conference devoted to Helping Failed States Recover: The Role of Business in Promoting Stability and Development.

Former Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker addresses conference participants

Former Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker, board member of the International Crisis Group, kicked off the conference with an address that focused on the need to prevent conflict and promote stability through better business practices. Mary Eisenhower, President of People to People International, also addressed the conference participants at a luncheon on April 5 about her organization’s efforts to enhance mutual understanding and promote friendship between different countries and cultures.

Nelson Estrada Solórzano, President of the Nicaraguan Entrepreneurial Group,
describes the challenges of doing business in Nicaragua

Conference sessions focused on topics such as The Political Economy of Economic Decline; Poverty and Conflict, Corporate Social Responsibility and Conflict Sensitive Business Practices; Opportunities and Challenges in Doing business in Post-Conflict Countries; and Case Studies in Conducting Business in such regions. The two-day event drew participants from around the world, with more than 200 people registered.

A panel discusses the challenges of doing business in post conflict countries

Lynn Ground, KU lecturer and formerly of the World Bank, worked very hard to organize the conference, and noted the need for further development in this field. "There has been a comparative dearth of work in the conflict literature on the potentially powerful role of business in preventing conflict and in contributing to sustainable peace, including that of Diaspora entrepreneurs as well as local and international business. And this, despite the fact that there are ample opportunities for business in post-conflict countries. In fact, foreign direct investment in post-conflict countries reached US$37 billion in 2004. But interest in and work on the role of business in conflict prevention and post-conflict renewal is clearly on the rise. This conference represents an effort to further explore the role of business in promoting stability and development."

Jean Choplin, one of the founders of AIESEC, and KU CIBER Director Melissa Birch
address participants at the close of the conference

To view panelist presentations and commentary from the conference, follow this link to the agenda, and follow the links there to the speaker or panel of interest.