Actress Natalie Portman and New York University Economist William Easterly, author of The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good (Penguin Press), will discuss microfinancing and global poverty during a public dialogue on Tues., Oct. 23, 7 p.m. at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, located in the Kimmel Center for University Life (60 Washington Sq. South at LaGuardia Place).
This event is free and open to NYU students and NYU-affiliated guests. Everyone must obtain a voucher to gain admittance. Please email africahouse.rsvp@nyu.edu for information.
ID required for entry (students must present student ID). The event is co-sponsored by NYU’s Africa House and Bridge-Students for Social Entrepreneurship at the NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
Portman, Golden Globe Award-winning actress and social activist, will discuss her work with global microfinance organization FINCA International and how to get involved in FINCA’s Village Banking “Call to Action” Campaign. As FINCA’s Ambassador of Hope and co-chairperson of the recently launched campaign, the 26-year old Harvard graduate has traveled around the world to see how microfinance is changing lives.
Portman will discuss her experiences with clients in the field, show video clips of her travels, and talk with Easterly about microfinance and the next generation’s responsibility for taking leadership in the fight against poverty. Easterly, who also has an appointment with NYU’s Africa House, argues in White Man’s Burden that Western aid plans have failed and will continue to do so because they are far too removed and detached from the situations of poverty they are attempting to improve.
Although microfinance organizations like FINCA have been providing small loans to the world’s lowest-income entrepreneurs for decades, the practice gained international attention in 2006 when the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to economist Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank.
Reporters interested in attending must RSVP to James Devitt, NYU’s Office of Public Affairs, at 212.998.6808 or james.devitt@nyu.edu.