Experts and students from around Latin America converged yesterday to ponder the question “If Latin America could invest $10 billion during the next five years in improvement projects, which would have the greatest social impact?” at San José Consultation, a forum being held at the headquarters of the Central American Institute of Business Administration (INCAE) in Alajuela, northwest of San José.

During the three-day conference, these leaders will define the 10 biggest challenges facing the region and propose solutions, according to a statement from Casa Presidencial. They will present their findings Thursday.

The conference is sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the Copenhagen Consensus Center.

Vice-President Laura Chinchilla, who is filling President Oscar Arias' presidential shoes this week while he's in China, spoke yesterday during the event's inauguration.

“I know that all of you will work with absolute dedication to not avoid any of the problems that urgently need resolving, none of the dreams that remain to be realized and none of the promises that remain to be met,” she said.

-Tico Times