An accident of geography: Compassion, innovation, and the fight against poverty—A conversation with Richard C. Blum

Over the past 20 years, the proportion of the world population living in extreme poverty has decreased by over 60 percent, a remarkable achievement. Yet further progress requires expanded development finance and more innovative solutions for raising shared prosperity and ending extreme poverty.

In his new book, “An Accident of Geography: Compassion, Innovation and the Fight Against Poverty,” Richard C. Blum narrates his daunting, uplifting adventures in the worlds of business and philanthropy. He profiles dozens of people whose inspirational work combines disciplined methods with embracing a greater voice for the world’s poor, arguing that combining the principles of long-term investing with empathy and compassion is essential for aiding the earth’s billions who remain desperate for clean water, food, shelter, basic health care, and access to education.

On October 14, Brookings hosted a conversation with Richard Blum on “An Accident of Geography” and pathways out of poverty. Brookings President Strobe Talbott provided introductory remarks and Homi Kharas, senior fellow and deputy director of the Global Economy and Development program, joined the discussion.