The Convergences 2015 world Forum is a major event for all professionals interested in exchanging on and discussing innovative solutions in order to alleviate poverty in Europe and around the world. In September 2012, over 3,000 experts and international policy makers will meet, representing institutional bodies, corporate organizations, civil society and charities together with academics, journalists and students, to reflect on the social and environmental challenges facing the world today, both in the North and in the South.

3 days of discussion and propositions

• Over 3,000 participants from over 50 countries
• 300 speakers and international experts on international solidarity, social entrepreneurship, the social- and solidarity-based economy, microfinance, corporate business, public institutions, as well as scholars and media authorities
• Over 150 corporate, institutional, media and academic partners

2 professional days at the Palais Brongniart

• 70 lectures, round tables and workshops concerning issues raised by professionals from the sector
• A networking area and a Professional Marketplace with over 80 stands to foster exchanges and partnerships between actors involved in international solidarity, social entrepreneurship, the social- and solidarity-based economy, microfinance, corporate businesses, public institutions, universities and the media

A general public day at Paris City Hall

• Debates with Le Monde newspaper and prestigious panelists
• Convergences 2015 Awards Ceremony
• Launching of the 2nd edition of the Barometer of Social Entrepreneurship and other publications (3rd edition of the Barometer of Microfinance, 1st edition of the Barometer of International Solidarity)

Download the provisional program

Why take part in the Convergences 2015 Forum?

• You support the Millennium Development Goals and the alleviation of poverty
• You are able to put forward innovative solutions to foster global and sustainable economic and social development
• You believe that only global and concerted action can provide efficient answers to such challenges, through public, private, and solidarity-based partnerships and cross-sector synergies
• You are keen to develop partnerships
• You are an advocate of sustainable change
• You are a company supporting sustainable development
• You are keen to meet those involved in change today and to support them tomorrow

The Forum provides the opportunity to meet professionals and experts who share your values and ambitions. During three days of meetings, debates and networking, over 3,000 actors will join forces to seek solutions to the challenges posed by the alleviation of poverty and privation, confront experience in the North and in the South, and promote new initiatives and practices in order to share knowledge and to lay the bases for improved understanding and more efficient coordination of actions.

The objectives:

• Adopt an integrated vision of development: a multisector and multi-disciplinary approach
• Develop an international network : a cross-sector web of public policy makers, professionals, experts and the international media
  • Foster the creation of innovative solutions
  • Support new partnerships
  • Encourage and spread good practices
• Encourage the adoption of recommendations:
  • Gain recognition among the most influential networks
  • Advocate for a new form of social economy
• Propose a unique opportunity for experts, the civil society and the general public to reflect to together on the great challenges facing social and economic sustainable development today
• Inspire and arouse new vocations: social entrepreneurs, microcredit brokers, aid workers… And you?

Who will attend the Forum?

The annual World Forum is a high-level conference for policy makers, professionals, experts, journalists as well as members of the general public. Those present will include:

• Public institutions and development agencies
• NGOs, charities and foundations
• Companies, medium-sized and corporate businesses
• Social entrepreneurs
• Project incubators
• Philanthropists
• Investment funds and financial institutions
• Scholars and researchers
• Journalists
• Students

Contact us

Are you interested in the themes of the 2012 Forum? Would you like to be more closely involved in this latest Forum? Email us at forum(at)convergences2015.org and share your views and suggestions with us

More on the annual Forum

• 2011 4th edition
• 2011 4th edition speakers
• 2011 4th edition syntheses
• The Paris Appeal for responsible microfinance

How to register?

• Online registrations open in March 2012
• Book your stand at the Professional Fair now