Though investment in entrepreneurs is not a silver bullet for development, economic growth and job creation stimulated by small and medium-sized enterprises can foster stability and help curb conflict in fragile states. Comprehensive programs that help SMEs increase their access to finance, markets, networks, and skills should be offered as part of a package of services to best leverage the efforts now under way to promote entrepreneurship.

Speaker

Hernando de Soto, President of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy, which advises heads of state and governments worldwide; Author, The Other Path: The Invisible Revolution in the Third World and The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else

Presider

Isobel Coleman, Senior Fellow and Director of the Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy Initiative, Council on Foreign Relations

In his new book Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty, Daron Acemoglu looks at why some nations prosper and why some fail. He concludes that it depends on whether institutions are pluralistic and inclusive or extractive and autocratic.

This roundtable meeting was part of the project, Entrepreneurs and Market Linkages in Conflict and Post-Conflict Environments, organized by the Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy Initiative.

Isobel Coleman discusses the importance of leveraging new resources, such as commitment accounts and mobile technology, for poverty alleviation.

John B. Bellinger III argues that Libyans should be allowed to choose whether they want to try members of the Qaddafi regime in their own courts.

Terra Lawson-Remer argues that three factors will determine whether the renewed national dialogue ignited by the Wall Street occupations will result in substantive changes that have a meaningful impact on peoples' lives.

Isobel Coleman argues that a stable, prosperous Libya undergoing a process of democratization will enhance the chance of successful transitions in neighboring countries such as Tunisia and Egypt.

This meeting was part of the Women and Foreign Policy Roundtable Series, which was organized by CFR's Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy Program.

John Campbell, CFR’s Ralph Bunche senior fellow for Africa policy studies, discusses the recent escalation of violence by Nigeria’s radical Islamic movement, Boko Haram, and analyzes strategies to undermine the threat. This call was part CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Initiative.

Isobel Coleman discusses the Women2Drive campaign in Saudi Arabia and says the next generation of Saudi rulers will have to face the issue of women's rights.

Philip Seib writes that public diplomacy may serve as a great counterterrorism tool.

Mohammed Hanif writes that "Pakistan's reaction to the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden muted by concerns over jobs and security."

This session was part of the Democracy, Civil Society, and Countering Radicalism Roundtable, organized by CFR's Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy Initiative.

Experts discuss the impact of technology and banking on the economic and political development of women.

Japan's most powerful earthquake and the accompanying tsunami will sorely test its weak government and have a devastating impact on its struggling economy, says CFR's Sheila Smith.

Listen to CFR experts Steven Cook and Jared Cohen discuss the recent events in Tunisia, the implications for the region, and the role of social media in the protests.

Isobel Coleman discusses Yemeni reactions to the uprisings in Tunisia.

Isobel Coleman and Charles Landow discuss how lack of good governance in Africa condemns millions to poverty and fails to unleash the continent's great potential.

CFR's Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies highlights examples of Nigerian civil society organizations. These organizations, Campbell says, have a significant "name and shame" role to play in impelling the country towards democracy.