The Virtual Economy: Potential, Perplexities, and Promises

Thomson Reuters and the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children cordially invite you to join us as we explore "The Virtual Economy: Potential, Perplexities, and Promises," a conference that will be held on June 13, 2013, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, DC. The agenda will be as follows:

8:30 a.m. Registration and Light Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Opening Comments

Stephen Rubley, Managing Director, Government Segment, Thomson Reuters and President and
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Thomson Reuters Special Services, LLC.

9:05 a.m. Welcome

Rick King, Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Technology, Thomson Reuters

9:15 a.m. Potential vs. Perplexities: An Overview

Moderated by: Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, Senior Fellow, Harvard University, JFK Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and former Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs

Ernie Allen, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children
Amb. Luis CdeBaca, Ambassador-at-Large, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, U.S. Department of State
Massimo Cirasino, Manager of the Financial Infrastructure & Remittances Service Line and Head of the Payment Systems Development Group, World Bank

The overview discussion will seek to define the parameters concerning the potential, perplexities, and promises of the virtual economy. In an increasingly interconnected global economy, the benefits of a fluid, easily transferable currency present enormous opportunities to bring a wider range of actors into a system whereby they can access capital. Pockets of individuals previously excluded from a formal economy are gradually becoming integrated, and as a consequence, wealth can be more equitably distributed amongst those most in need. This extension of access to capital presents problems where it provides opportunities for unscrupulous actors to transfer capital beyond the watch of governments. One such example has been its use in fuelling human trafficking and other such illicit activities. While it remains doubtless that such innovations in technology present huge opportunities, this panel will consider the broader implications of a digital economy and how the two sides may be reconciled.

10:00 a.m. Session I: Potential: The Global Trends of eCommerce

Moderated by: Shane Harris, Author/Journalist, Washingtonian Magazine

Gavin Andresen, Chief Scientist, Bitcoin Foundation
Don Codling, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), SWIFT Exchange Signature Systems, LLC.
Nathan Gibson, Chief Security Officer (CSO), Dwolla, Inc.
Jim Harper, Director of Information Policy Studies, CATO Institute

This panel will discuss the revolutionary and global impact of digital currencies. The world economy has been dependent upon technology for decades; however, new systems such as Bitcoin provide the first example of a technology-based economy. Panelists will discuss this exciting new trend and observe its abuses such as the potential to exploit money laundering.

11:15 a.m. Session II: Perplexities: Reconciling the Use of Legitimate Technologies with Illegal Activities

Moderated by: Jerry Brito, Senior Research Fellow and Director of Technology Policy Program, George Mason University

Scott McCleskey, Global Head of Regulatory Intelligence, Financial and Risk, Thomson Reuters
Patrick Murck, General Counsel, Bitcoin Foundation
Andrew G. Oosterbaan, Chief, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
Karen Reilly, Development Director, The TOR Project

More than half of the world’s adult population (approximately 2.5 billion people) does not use formal financial services to save or borrow. Innovative technologies are creating new paths to rectify this situation. However, the seismic effect technology has played on our traditional economic systems collect exploits along with its benefits. This panel will discuss how to maintain innovation while properly handling concerning challenges.

12:15 p.m. Lunch Break

12:45 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Keynote Interview with Jennifer Shasky Calvery Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), U.S. Department of Treasury

Moderated by: Frances Townsend, Executive Vice President at MacAndrews and Forbes Holdings, LLC. and former Homeland and Counterterrorism Security Advisor, The White House

2:00 p.m. Session III: Promises: How Can Private and Public Sectors Work Together?

Moderated by: J.R. (Joseph) Helmig, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Leveraged Outcomes, LLC.

Erin Barclay, Director of the Office of Criminal Justice Assistance and Partnership, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), U.S. Department of State
Judge Alice Chamberlayne Hill, Senior Counselor, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Tom Kellermann, Vice President of Cyber Security, TrendMicro
Mary Lou Leary, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
Larry Trittschuh, Executive Director, Global Information Security Operations, General Electric

This panel will explore how public-private partnerships assist in helping overcome complex international challenges such as those presented by digital currencies. Leveraging expertise and experience from public and private sectors, the panel will discuss where collaboration between actors, often with somewhat divergent interests, can be the most effective means of addressing the most complex issues. While regulation offers an answer to some of the negative consequences witnessed by the rise of a digital economy, the panel will seek to understand where and how partnerships might offer solutions that reconcile combating illicit activities with supporting technological innovation.

3:30 p.m. Closing Comments

Stephen Rubley, Managing Director, Government Segment, Thomson Reuters and President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Thomson Reuters Special Services, LLC.
Ernie Allen, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children

Please register by Tuesday, June 11, 2013.

If you have any questions, please write to events@icmec.org. Thank you.