Water is the most essential element of human life, the most abundant of all resources on earth, yet a third of the globe does not have access to clean drinking water. Millions around the world today drink water from wells which they know are contaminated with poisonous substances like arsenic and other toxins. These individuals die a slow death or live with the terrible deformities from arsenic poisoning and cancer. A number of research initiatives in prominent organizations, including here at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) continue to focus on the sources of the problem and possible remedies, but an economic, mass-scale solution is yet to unfold. The Boston Pledge, a humanitarian organization headquartered in Boston, is following a collaborative approach, by bringing together resources from the academia, the industry, NGOs, government bodies, students and the common people to find a sustainable solution to the rising arsenic crisis.

 Since its inception during the summer of 2001, The Boston Pledge (TBP) has steadily evolved to   assist grass roots initiatives that address some of the most critical problems of imbalances in this world. While many such problems remain unnoticed in the developed regions and uncared for in underprivileged countries, without prompt attention such problems will lead to eventual decimation of man within certain eco-systems. The environmental imbalance on the Easter Islands caused by rapid deforestation and the subsequent annihilation of the local population is a stark reminder that a timely resolution of ecological threats is critical to avoiding widespread disasters, including in the developed nations.

 TBP, a non-profit volunteer organization of professionals, is committed to undertake bold steps so that people world-wide have access to the basic necessities that sustain and develop life and civilization. For example in South-East Asia, North America and Western Europe, we are active in projects that lead to cleaner water and air, provide access to basic knowledge, and cultivate the spirit of entrepreneurship. In order to build awareness to such issues and support individuals and agencies committed to such missions, TBP will organize a Conference on Saturday, December 20^th, 2003 at the Wong Auditorium in Building E51 (70 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1:30 pm  to 5:30 pm.

The Conference will primarily focus on Meeting the Challenge of Arsenic in Water,. While at present the problem is visible in various river deltas of the world, isolated instances are showing up in developed regions of the world as well.  A number of renowned scientists, technologists and industry leaders will discuss the problem in-depth, examine historical and geological causes and describe currently available technologies for battling this problem. In addition we will share with you the on going activities of The Boston Pledge on socio-economic development. The program schedule is outlined below:

Registration: 

1:30 to 1:50 PM

Opening session:

The Boston Pledge Mission 2:00 to 2:30 PM

Principal Theme:

Meeting the Arsenic in Water Challenge  2:30 to 4:00 PM

The Boston Pledge Activities on Urban Renewal, Entrepreneurship and Education     4:00 to 4:40 PM

Panel discussion on The Steps forward    4:40 to 5:20 PM

Cultural Program for Humanitarian Appeal     5:20 to 5:40 PM

Pledging and Volunteering     5:30 to 6:00 PM

 Please RSVP attendance via email to chitro@sloan.mit.edu

 Given the strategic significance of the problem and the profound impact it will have on the future course of our fragile planet, we urge you to attend the Annual TBP event to identify how we together could contribute to the problem solving process. It is our hope that with your help, we will be able to develop sustainable market mechanisms to provide clean drinking water for all of mankind.

 While we expect concerned global citizens to actively participate in this conference, it is our strong conviction that organizations representing Bio-Pharmaceuticals, Medical equipment, Process engineering and Control, Consumer Packaged Goods industries, and Philanthropic foundations will find the information of significant interest. The Boston Pledge will look forward to your visible presence and support for this important conference at MIT, a place which has been the home of many breakthrough solutions to global problems.

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