Moderator:
Andrew K. Morse, Deputy Bureau Chief, Wall Street Journal

India's once white-hot economy is slowing, although its growth rate is still the envy of developed nations. Cognizant of a growing budget deficit, the government is taking steps to address the effects of the slowdown. India recently announced moves to raise taxes and slow growth in overall spending while increasing investment in infrastructure. Will those measures succeed in spurring the economy? What are the prospects for pending proposals to allow greater foreign investment in certain industries? Can India successfully address its energy and infrastructure challenges, and weed out corruption? Is the current trajectory of growth enough to lift millions more out of poverty?

Moderator:
Conrad Kiechel, Director of Communications, Milken Institute

Natural resources - from shale natural gas and oil sands to uranium and silver - are abundant in North America. These huge reserves have the potential to transform global commodities markets and contribute to the region's energy security. Increased production of energy and minerals could turn the U.S. and Canada into leading suppliers to China and other emerging markets. How can the U.S. and Canada encourage development of these natural resources? What policies are needed to open up access and allow industry to make long-term investments? What commitment should the industry make to the integrity and safety of their operations, and how can they be held accountable?

Moderator:
Willow Bay, Special Correspondent, Bloomberg Television; Senior Editor, Huffington Post

Water scarcity is poised to become the next explosive issue of our time. It's the world's most essential - and most threatened - finite resource. From the American Southwest to sub-Saharan Africa to the Middle East, people are working to find solutions and forge compromises to ensure that water continues to flow. This timely conversation will examine opportunities for investment and the role of nonprofits and corporations in heading off a crisis, with the latest updates from experts in the field. Everything is fair game in this critical, solutions-oriented panel, including new technologies for storage, treatment and efficiency; aging infrastructure; the increasing demand for recycled water; and the impact of climate change and population growth.

Moderator:
Ross DeVol, Chief Research Officer, Milken Institute

Sustainable, long-term economic growth requires a high-quality labor pool. Along with a robust technology infrastructure and strategic partnerships among businesses, universities and government, a well-educated workforce is a critical ingredient for driving innovation. Part of maintaining a competitive labor pool is not only educating top students for the most demanding and highly specialized jobs, but also providing further education and training to less skilled workers. This panel will discuss strategies and investments to increase the quality of the overall workforce by expanding educational attainment. Which skills are essential for workers in the 21st century? How will they be developed? Which areas have the greatest demand for such skills?

Moderator:
Michael Klowden, President and CEO, Milken Institute

It's famously been said that there are known knowns, known unknowns and unknown unknowns. That pretty much sums up the prevailing convoluted views regarding current conditions, but our annual big-picture look at the global economy will provide some much-needed clarity. This panel will examine the latest macroeconomic trends around the world, including U.S. recovery and Europe's slowdown, and attempt to make sense of the world's new balance of economic power. Which emerging markets will be able to sustain growth over the long term - and which might be headed for turbulence? We'll also examine geopolitical risk in the Middle East and beyond, plus the effects of spiking oil prices. Crucial elections are coming up in many of the world's largest nations; what potential changes in leadership could have the greatest impact? What are the opportunities and trends that most observers have yet to spot?

Moderator:
Zachary Karabell, Senior Fellow, Milken Institute; President, River Twice Research

The U.S. economy still needs to generate more jobs to put the young, old and everyone in between back to work. What strategies do policymakers need to pursue? Should the U.S. become more like Texas in streamlining regulations for business? What can be done to improve access to capital for small businesses, which are historically an engine of job creation? Should more aggressive policies such as a temporary federal retraining wage supplement be provided to employers that retrain workers? Should reauthorization of the highway bill be expedited to fix infrastructure and employ construction workers? Should a lower corporate tax rate be provided to manufacturing firms? Should the U.S. do more to bolster exports? Should we expand foreign talent, investor and entrepreneur recruitment? What other ideas might jumpstart job creation?

Moderator:
Jeffrey Gedmin, President and CEO, Legatum Institute

Reaping the benefits of high oil prices, Russia's economy has been enjoying steady growth. But its political scene has grown decidedly more volatile, with protestors taking to the streets after the last round of elections. With Vladimir Putin continuing his hold on power, is there any hope that the country's persistent corruption problem can be weeded out? Now that Russia has joined the WTO, can the economy diversify away from its dependence on natural resources? Is Russia headed for a confrontation with the West over Iran and Syria? What do investors need to know about the risks and rewards of investing in Russia?

Moderator:
Margaret Anderson, Executive Director, FasterCures / The Center for Accelerating Medical Solutions

Emerging and frontier nations represent huge untapped markets. Given how quickly these economies are growing and the size of the potential consumer base, the right innovations have the potential to deliver huge returns and exponential industry growth, especially in the areas of energy, agriculture and health. Envision the possibilities if emerging nations adopt renewable transportation fuels on a broad scale, or if businesses in growing megacities finally have reliable and affordable electricity. Look at what mobile technology is already doing for communications, health, banking and commerce in remote areas, and imagine what its continued evolution could bring. Visualize the societal benefits and productivity gains that emerging markets could achieve with breakthroughs in malaria and TB diagnosis and treatment. Picture innovations in agriculture that double crop yields to feed growing populations. This panel will look at specific market and investment opportunities in the emerging world - as well as the exciting possibilities for new technologies to improve millions of lives.

Speaker:
Richard Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations

Interviewer:
Walter Isaacson, President and CEO, Aspen Institute

Beyond the Beltway, few people ponder the international scene more deeply than Richard Haass and Walter Isaacson. Ambassador Haass, who served in both Bush administrations, has been at the heart of high-level decision-making about U.S. involvement in the Middle East. He recounted his impressions in "War of Necessity, War of Choice," one of 11 books he has written or edited on U.S. foreign policy. Isaacson ran two of the most trusted news organizations in the nation as chairman and CEO of CNN and managing editor of Time magazine. More recently, he was chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and other international broadcasts that bring U.S. viewpoints to the rest of the world. Drawing on decades of experience, they will sit down for a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation about how the rest of the world perceives the United States. Do other nations still look to us for innovation and culture? Are we a source of stability and leadership? How has our standing changed after the Iraq War and the financial crisis? Does the current dysfunction in Washington undermine our ability to promote democracy around the world? What kind of influence will the United States wield on the world stage in the decades ahead?

Moderator:
Jan Boyer, Managing Director, SOFRA; former Executive Board Member, Inter-American Development Bank

As Brazil continues its rise into the ranks of the world's largest economies, it has drawn not only investors but also corporations eager to tap into the increased spending of a growing middle class. But Brazil has hit some speed bumps in recent months, with slowing growth, rising inflation and currency/trade spats with Europe and the U.S. Are these temporary setbacks or signs of more serious structural challenges? Will Brazil's sheer size and wealth of natural resources carry the future? What are the hurdles that still have to be overcome? And how can outside investors penetrate the regulatory and tariff barriers to take part in the country's growth trends?

Join us as we toast old friends and new at a reception for friends of the Milken Institute Israel Center.

Moderator:
Ross DeVol, Chief Research Officer, Milken Institute

Recent news on the U.S. economy has been more upbeat despite weakness in the euro zone and a slowdown in the BRICs and other emerging economies. Growth in U.S. real GDP finally hit 3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, and job creation has exceeded the critical 200,000 per month mark. Consumers are purchasing cars again, and businesses are funneling profits back into investment for efficiency gains and expansion. But does the recovery really have legs? Many downside risks remain, including gas prices, a housing market that continues to sputter, and ongoing declines in state and local employment. Will policy uncertainty from Washington restrict investment and risk-taking by businesses? Can Washington reach a compromise on taxes and spending that will reduce the medium-term deficit but not bite too hard in the near term? Will faltering economic growth outside the U.S. harm export growth? Will the Fed implement a QE3 strategy? This panel will offer a big-picture look at where the U.S. is headed.

Moderator:
Jonathan Slone, Chairman and CEO, CLSA Ltd.

China and India have grabbed so many of the headlines in recent years that it's been easy to overlook the huge potential for growth in the ASEAN countries and the continued significance of Japan and Korea - but no more. Foreign direct investment is up sharply, especially in the six key economies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. South Korea and Japan each made news over the past year, but for entirely different reasons. South Korea's recent signing of a free trade agreement with the U.S. could be a model for other countries in the region, while Japan's export-driven economy slipped to a trade deficit for the first time in decades. As Southeast Asia continues to integrate its markets and remove trade barriers, can ASEAN avoid the pitfalls that eventually caused a crisis in the euro zone and the structural issues facing Japan? Will any of these countries evolve to become one of Asia's true economic pillars? Can they withstand a slowdown in China, as well as reduced demand from Europe and the U.S.?

Moderator:
Peter Passell, Senior Fellow, Milken Institute; Editor, The Milken Institute Review

According to UN projections, world population will cross the 10 billion mark late in this century. Does the planet have the resources to sustain a population of this size without denying billions an acceptable standard of living or doing great damage to the environment? Even if the resources are adequate to the job in theory, are markets and government institutions up to the challenge of preventing periodic food shortages in poor countries and managing the transition from fossil fuels to climate-friendly energy sources? How will megacities evolve to accommodate this kind of density? Experts in energy, agriculture and the environment - not to mention economics - will look down the road.

Moderator:
Mark Chiaviello, Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Standard Bank

For the last decade, Africa's economy has been growing 5 percent every year, easily beating the U.S., Europe, Latin America and the global average. Growth has been driven primarily by precious metals and oil and gas, but other sectors have now emerged, presenting unique opportunities. This session will focus on investment trends in Africa, with an emphasis on three of the fastest-growing sectors: consumer-facing industries, agriculture and infrastructure. Consumer sectors are growing two to three times as fast as those in wealthy countries, and with 60 percent of the world's uncultivated arable land and low crop yields, Africa's agricultural output is expected to double in less than 10 years. To handle its growing population and economy, Africa's infrastructure needs $1 trillion worth of investment in the next 10 years. Experts on each of these areas, and investment in Africa overall, will provide a unique perspective on these potentially high-yielding opportunities.

Moderator:
Liam Kennedy, Editor, Investments & Pensions Europe

It's nothing but bad press for Europe these days, and many investors have headed for the exits. But does that mean it's actually a moment for contrarians to jump in? Several sectors are continuing to perform well, especially in exports to outside the region. And many companies (and even countries) have seen price distortions in their stocks and debt offerings that could create valuable opportunities. Where are the right places to invest in Europe, and what are the remaining hidden dangers? Which countries are best positioned to buck the trend and maintain positive economic growth? Which sectors are best insulated from the uncertainty?

Moderator:
Harold Ford Jr., Former Congressman; Managing Director, Morgan Stanley; Professor, NYU Wagner School of Public Policy

It's hard to find an era in which hard work and thrift truly assured economic mobility in America. But for much of the nation's history, the myth of mobility served as a substitute for the sort of social protection that underpins European societies. And rapid economic growth (in part a consequence of America's inclination toward laissez-faire government) meant that most hard-working people did prosper. But growth has slowed and wages have stagnated in the last few decades. Meantime, the costs of acquiring marketable skills and the risks of falling out of the middle class due to unemployment, ill health or old age have increased. This panel will discuss whether America has a way - and can muster the will - to rebuild the dream, increasing mobility while offering a more realistic safety net for those who don't make it.

Moderator:
Zachary Karabell, Senior Fellow, Milken Institute; President, River Twice Research

The United States has been the most influential state on the planet for decades, but China's meteoric rise is altering the global balance of power. Lopsided trade and financial flows have complicated the entanglements between the two nations. Can the awkward partnership between the U.S. and China evolve into a better working relationship that can address geopolitical and financial crises? Will the competition for natural resources flare up in the coming decades? How will the long-simmering currency dispute play out? Can other nations enjoy the benefits of Chinese growth without sacrificing long-standing American security assurances? What new international alliances might be built in response? This panel will examine the economic, military and political implications of having two major superpowers on the world stage.

Moderator:
Paul Kedrosky, Contributing Editor, Bloomberg; Partner, Omensetter Capital and SK Ventures

With Congress mired in gridlock, waiting for federal aid to arrive from Washington is a losing proposition. What can state and local officials do to seize the initiative and jumpstart their economies? Balanced-budget requirements don't leave much room to maneuver in many cases - but some locations are trying creative strategies to spark economic growth. What are the best approaches for supporting the entrepreneurs and small businesses that typically generate new jobs, industries and technologies? This panel will explore what states can do to steer their own economic destinies.

Moderator:
James Glassman, Founding Executive Director, George W. Bush Institute

The mere mention of Pakistan conjures up headlines about terrorist attacks, militant groups and airstrikes. But beneath the turmoil lies a country with enormous assets, from vast natural resources to an enviable location that should facilitate trade with both India and China. Yet democracy is struggling to take root, and the economy is stunted due to limited bank lending and perpetual power shortages. The military remains Pakistan's dominant institution, often dictating foreign policy, protecting business interests and intimidating the press from behind the scenes. Can civil society begin to take the lead in building a more equitable and prosperous society? What kind of government, fiscal, regulatory and societal reforms need to happen first? How can foreign governments and multilateral organizations help with institution building?

Moderator:
Alma Gadot-Perez, Director General, Milken Institute Israel Center

Eco-innovation is an approach to promoting sustainable growth while overcoming scarcity in fuel, food and water. Touching on policies, processes and products alike, we will present a series of potentially disruptive eco-innovations in energy, industry, agriculture and transportation. In Israel, the Milken Institute has been involved in a series of Financial Innovations Labs and policy developments including an oil-free initiative, natural gas development, a greenhouse gas reduction program, solar energy tariffs, and water and agrotech initiatives - all of which can have international applications. This panel will host a number of technology and policy thought leaders at the forefront of eco-innovation breakthroughs.

Moderator:
Ghanem Nuseibeh, Founder, Cornerstone Global Associates; Senior Visiting Fellow, King's College, London

The Arab Spring saw a wave of revolution launched by educated young professionals who are unemployed and underemployed. A year later, their demands are still simmering: According to the World Bank, economic growth will have to accelerate dramatically to bridge the demand for jobs across the Middle East. This requires doubling the annual net growth rate of job creation, increasing labor force participation and insuring growth reaches more labor-intensive industries even as technology is adopted to increase productivity. Unless governments can provide a vision and summon the resources to create broader opportunity, the unrest is likely to continue. This panel will gather local and international entrepreneurs, multinational executives and investors for a practical discussion on mobilizing education, training and entrepreneurial finance platforms to support large-scale business formation and job creation across the Middle East.

Moderator:
Joel Kurtzman, Senior Fellow and Executive Director of the Center for Accelerating Energy Solutions, Milken Institute

At least we live in interesting times. Europe's future - and the fate of the euro - remains under a cloud, with unknown ramifications for the rest of the world economy. China, which has enjoyed white-hot growth rates, now appears to be slowing down. The war in Iraq has wound down, but that country's future is far from certain. Meanwhile, trouble continues to boil over in Afghanistan, while Pakistan and Iran are dangerous wild cards. This panel will scan the horizon to analyze global trouble spots and predict how events will play out.

Moderator:
Jared Carney, Chief Strategy Officer, Milken Institute; Acting Director, Milken Institute Asia Center

International firms are racing to tap into the lucrative Chinese market - but it pays to look before you leap. Just ask Apple: Last year China was its fastest-growing region, but the company has faced intellectual property disputes over the iPad and accusations of poor working conditions at factories run by its Chinese suppliers. China ranks 91st among nations in the World Bank's ease of doing business index. This panel will discuss the practicalities and pitfalls of the world's largest market, including finding the right local partner, hiring the right workforce and marketing to Chinese consumers. Which multinational firms are already out front in terms of establishing a presence and capturing market share? What do businesses need to know about Chinese business culture, contractual agreements and bureaucracy?

Moderator:
Scott Minerd, Chief Investment Officer, Guggenheim Partners

Is the Arctic the last emerging market? The retreat of the polar ice cap will make the region's vast natural resources far more accessible and make the Northwest Passage a viable shipping lane. The prospects for the oil and gas, fishing, mining and shipping industries appear vast, but the question of who owns what in the Arctic is far from clear. What economic opportunities will be revealed by this northern exposure? What geopolitical, security and environmental challenges are posed to the countries bordering the Arctic? What can those governments — from the U.S. and Canada to Russia and Norway — do to encourage economic development and develop the skilled workforce necessary to take advantage of the boom?

Moderator:
Christopher Ailman, Chief Investment Officer, California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS)

We've heard a dozen times that we've turned the corner on the European debt crisis. Can we believe it this time? Has the European Central Bank made all the right moves to avoid a major credit crunch? Will Portugal or Ireland need to undergo a Greek-style debt restructuring? In the meantime, the impact of austerity is becoming clear as several European economies slip into recession. Which European nations and sectors are best positioned to ride things out? Will high unemployment lead to more social and political unrest across the continent? Just how deep will the downturn be, and how will it affect the recovery under way in the rest of the world? This panel of experts will examine the latest developments, how recent events have weakened the ties that bind the euro zone, and how European policymakers can address the fundamentals to restore growth.

Moderator:
John Gapper, Associate Editor and Chief Business Commentator, Financial Times

Smart logistics systems are more vital to the bottom line than ever before, whether you're an international manufacturer or a small online retailer. Today the entire global economy depends on the ease of international trade. Companies looking to establish technology centers, warehousing and distribution bases, and points of collaboration are increasingly willing to compare the advantages of operating out of Hong Kong vs. Singapore, Vancouver vs. Los Angeles, Amsterdam vs. Hamburg. For regions to realize their growth potential, it is crucial to provide the infrastructure - from rail lines to container ports - that streamlines commerce. The most modern and efficient airport hubs, in particular, are attracting clusters of firms and vendors. This panel will explore factors such as new technologies, rising fuel prices, expanded shipping routes and free trade deals.

Moderator:
Judy Olian, Dean and John E. Anderson Chair in Management, UCLA Anderson School of Management

California once led the nation in international trade, but over the past decade, Texas grabbed that mantle. The Golden State's overall growth in exports dramatically lags behind the national average despite its enviable position on the edge of the Pacific Rim. In what areas does California still retain its lead? What can be done to improve competitiveness? What best practices should the state borrow from both inside the U.S. and abroad? What kind of role can state government play, especially in helping small businesses tap new foreign markets?

Moderator:
Glenn Yago, Senior Director, Israel Center; Senior Research Fellow; and Founder, Financial Innovations Labs, Milken Institute

Israel produced better risk-adjusted returns than all other developed stock markets in the past decade as its technology-driven economy attracted global investors. But growth has been inadequate and unequally shared within Israel, resulting in high levels of income and wealth inequality. The Israeli paradox is that despite strong GDP growth, the growth rate in GDP per capita has lagged. In a country where social cohesion is requisite for survival, this paradox drew focused attention with peaceful protests last summer; government commissions have been attempting to address issues ranging from the price of cottage cheese to corporate pyramids and economic concentration. Policy discussions are now focused on opportunities to bridge these gaps within Israel and attempt to match the fastest-growing emerging economies. The Israeli paradox represents a case study for emerging and frontier markets in how to accelerate growth while expanding economic inclusion and achieving sustainability.