Speaker Bio

Can prizes and open collaboration lead to enterprise solutions in developing countries? Incentive prizes have a proven ability to leverage investment and expertise to solve technological problems, but can they be applied to the 'softer' challenges of development? Is it possible to set measurable success criteria for prizes to solve complex social and economic problems? Can prizes work in countries where the rule of law is weak? Are innovators ready to take on the challenge of Africa?

Michael Green has nearly 20 years experience working in international aid. A graduate of the University of Oxford, he is an economist by training and taught at the University of Warsaw in Poland from 1992-1996. Having worked as a senior civil servant in the British Government on a range of international issues, he is now an independent writer and social entrepreneur. He is the co-author, with Matthew Bishop, of "Philanthrocapitalism: How the Rich Can Save the World." He and Matthew are currently working on a book about the financial crisis.