For the past three years Sedona Cyber Link has been developing the initiative ‘The New Silk Road.’ This is a program vehicle for providing technology and educational resources for communities in the developing world. The growth of demand for LOHAS products by buyers in the Western world and the growth of demand for products by BOP buyers in Asia is an important phenomenon of the modern global economy.

Duncan Green of Oxfam International summarizes some of the most recent criticisms of the use of microfinance as a way to lift people out of poverty. He takes note of some important new studies.