Speakers:

1. Ms. Sewa Lamsal Adhikari (Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, Chair of the 51st Session of the Commission for Social Development)
2. Ms. Rosa Kornfeld Matte (National Director, National Service of Older People
Republic of Chile)
3. Ms. Corinne Woods (Director, UN Millennium Campaign)
4. Mr. Yao Ngoran (UN DESA)
5. Mr. Ming Hwee Chong (Baha'i International Community) Moderator

A panel discussion side event on the priority theme of the 51st session of CSocD focused on some of the following questions: What is the vision of human development which guides our understanding of empowerment--one based on competition or on relationships of reciprocity? Who should be empowered--individuals, communities, institutions? What are the ends towards which empowerment is pursued--the enlargement of choices and freedoms, the building of capacity, the construction of more just and peaceful communities, or towards some other end?