The ‘Beyond Aid’ seminar was an opportunity for Mokoro to celebrate 35 years working in international development. Instead of looking back over these years, the seminar provided a look forward at the changing development agenda, with a focus on the role of the private sector. Agenda 2030 envisages the diverse private sector, ranging from micro-enterprises to cooperatives to multinationals, as a key actor in the development process. Questions therefore need to be addressed on how best to engage and promote business as a sustainable part of the development process, and to enhance their contribution to development.

Mokoro were pleased to have host the following speakers at the seminar. Simon Warmerdam, former director of the Netherlands Partners for Water programme and former Netherlands Delegated Representative for Water to Indonesia, brought his experience in developing a constructive interface between the private sector in the Netherlands and its counterparts in other countries, primarily for water resource management. Steve Collins, Director of Valid International and Valid Nutrition, talked about his vision on the role social business can play to innovate and deliver market based solutions to address malnutrition. Elizabeth Hodson of Mokoro  chaired the event.

To view Simon Warmerdam’s presentation click here

To view Steve Collins’ presentation click here