‘The Battle against Poverty, Colombia: A Case of Leadership’ Book Launch

Speaker(s):
Juan Manuel Santos in conversation with Tshering Tobgay
Book Launch
Tuesday 31st October 2023
17:00 - 18:30 GMT
Rhodes House, Oxford

We are delighted to announce that Juan Manuel Santos, Nobel Peace Laureate and former President of Colombia, who is currently a Visiting Professor at OPHI, will be launching his most recent book in a conversation with Tshering Tobgay, former Prime Minister of Bhutan. This special event will take place on Tuesday, 31st of October 2023, from 5 pm to 6.30 pm at Rhodes House, Oxford.

Professor Santos’ new book, titled ‘The Battle against Poverty, Colombia: A Case of Leadership’ offers valuable insights into multidimensional poverty reduction in Colombia during the second decade of the 21st century. The book delves into the tools, policies, and programmes that were implemented in Colombia, guided by the Multidimensional Poverty Index, calculated using the Alkire-Foster Method.

The Battle Against Poverty vividly describes how greater social justice and poverty reduction were achieved despite the challenging circumstances of war and peace negotiations. It emphasises the significance of leadership and the use of data in developing and monitoring informed policies.

Tshering Tobgay, former Prime Minister of Bhutan, led a multi-pronged strategy during his term in office to enhance well-being, increase environmental sustainability, and reduce poverty among the Bhutanese population. By the end of his tenure, poverty in all its forms had been halved, and progress had been made in advancing wellbeing and improving environmental sustainability.

Both Professor Santos and Dasho Tobgay share a deep passion and commitment to equality, sustainability, and poverty alleviation in all its forms. The conversation will delve into the importance of leadership, as well as the critical role of high-quality data in shaping well-informed policies and programmes. These leaders will inspire the audience to view poverty reduction and the pursuit of the SDG Agenda not as mere checkboxes to tick off, but as actionable commitments toward creating a more equitable world for all.

Professor Sabina Alkire, the Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), will serve as the moderator for this enlightening conversation.

Registration information will soon be available.

For more information about The Battle Against Poverty