IFC, the largest multilateral investor in the private education sector in emerging markets, will host a major international conference at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., May 14-16, 2008, that will bring together investors, specialists, financiers, and other observers to explore the future of private education and discuss key business opportunities.

The past five years have seen a considerable increase in the recognition of the significant contribution that private education can bring to emerging market countries. Many governments are actively encouraging private sector growth in education while remaining aware of the need to ensure that such provision meets appropriate standards and benchmarks.

For more information, please contact the following:

Conference Information:
S. Roddis / S. Bjarnason
Edconference2008@ifc.org
Tel: 1-202-473-4274

Communication Inquiries:
Ludi Joseph
ljoseph@ifc.org
Tel. 1-202-473-7700

Agenda Background Press Release Brochure Intranet Article Website Article

Article in University World News: http://www.universityworldnews.com (reproduced with permission).

Why Does IFC Work in Private Education? to support socially responsible and sustainable development in the sector to expand access to high-quality education to people from all income groups to introduce innovative means of financing and delivering education services to improve quality standards and efficiency in education to help students and institutions obtain access to finance to complement public financing and provision to achieve public education goals to provide lifelong learning in order to help build a skilled workforce to provide jobs for skilled teachers and professors