EDP

About our Programs

These unique programs offer insights to build corporate strategies that fight poverty while delivering profits. Innovative learning models will encourage you to learn how your organization can not only meet its bottom line, but develop working business models that include the world’s poor as investors, producers, sellers and buyers.

Programs provide a chance to:

Gain a unique interdisciplinary perspective on how to align social and environmental issues with corporate strategy, and develop successful business models in low income markets.
Explore how global trends, global imbalances, and global opportunities affect corporate strategy, as well as the broader development objective of reaching the “four billion” at the base of the pyramid.
Identify the gaps in existing market institutions potentially acting as barriers to growth and understand how to overcome them.
Learn interdisciplinary approaches to complex issues including the elements of good governance and accountability, cross-sectoral partnerships and measuring impact.
Capture lessons from relevant project experience and corporate initiatives that could be applied within your organization.

World Bank Institute Advantage

The core elements of WBI’s competitive advantage are based on the World Bank Group’s strength as the leading institution in the fight against global poverty and on WBI’s experience in executive education on development-related issues. Click on the elements below for more information.

Approach

The World Bank Institute’s Executive Development Programs utilize a holistic approach to the learning experience. Click on each stage to view more.

Preparation

Training

Defining the learning experience

Defining Expectations
Defining Commitments
Online Networking
Background & Reading Material

Learning by experiencing

Panel discussions
Case Studies
Simulation Exercises
Interactive multimedia sessions

Applying what you have learned

Managerial Follow-up
Peer feedback groups
Optional Field Visits

Preparation - Shaping expectations, commitments, and preparing through online learning
Participants will be given key materials and resources to prepare for the training. In addition, participants are encouraged to use this preparatory phase of the program to clearly define what they hope to learn from the program and commit to how they plan to leverage on that learning after the program.

Training - Using case study methodology, panel discussions, guest lecturers, and simulation exercises
Training is divided into thematic modules which will be using the following blend of learning tools and techniques:

Panel discussions with top faculty and practitioners to frame the issues to be discussed.
Case study utilizing the Harvard Business School methodology, where guest lectures will introduce the case studies and moderate discussion, highlighting the key issues.
Simulation exercises involving cutting-edge thinking about development and bottom of the pyramid issues
Interactive multimedia sessions in the form of web based-discussions, conference calls, and video sessions with practitioners in the field.

The Program aims to foster interaction among the contributing international experts and program participants, encourage cross-fertilization of ideas and approaches, and facilitate the creation of a network of peers facing similar development challenges. During this component, participants will also work with instructors to develop materials to be shared within their organizations, a process that continues during the distance learning component of the program. To further promote relevant knowledge sharing, the program holds parallel sessions through videoconference with practitioners and business schools around the globe.

The face-to-face component is structured around 1) plenary sessions to help frame the issues, 2) case study presentations utilizing the Harvard Business School methodology where guest lectures introduce the case studies and moderate a discussion, and 3) structured thematic group discussions where participants work in smaller groups to unpack how the issues debated relate to their organizations’ experiences and what they might be able to apply in practice.

Target Audience

Programs are designed for business executives from large and small companies responsible for managing business in emerging and developing economies, as well as public sector leaders, donor agency executives, civil society organization representatives, and staff from international development agencies who are subsequently interested and engaged in involving the private sector in meeting development goals.

Participation is limited to ensure a high degree of interaction and knowledge sharing, so early applications are encouraged.

Partners

In the design and delivery of Executive Development Programs, the World Bank Institute works closely with many partners. Current program partners include Harvard University, the Center for International Private Enterprise, the Global Advice Network, Grant Thornton, Siemens AG, Transparency International, United Nations Global Compact,the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, InWEnt – Capacity Building International, SNV – Netherlands Development Organization, the Carol and Lawrence Zicklin Center at the Wharton Business School, and other departments within the World Bank Group.

Fee

Each of the World Bank Institute's Executive Development Programs have a fee which covers tuition, program materials, breakfasts, lunches and coffee breaks for the duration of the program. Fee-based incentives are provided for early registration and for the co-registration of two or more executives form the same organization. Please see registration page for further details.