UN chief tells Yale gathering: Help spread technological advances to the developing world

UN chief at Yale: Developing world needs tech help

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The United Nations secretary-general has told higher-education administrators at a Yale University gathering they need to help Haiti and the rest of the developing world benefit from scientific innovation.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (bahn kee-moon) spoke Thursday at the Global Colloquium of University Presidents, a network of university presidents and vice chancellors committed to using research and teaching to address worldwide public policy problems.

The Yale Daily News reports Ban said the earthquake reminds people current knowledge and technologies can “reduce the impact of natural disasters and save lives.”

Ban says the problem is many parts of the world aren’t benefiting from them. He says modern communication technologies including social networking Web sites have helped since Tuesday’s earthquake.

Yale’s president gave Ban $5,000 for Haitian relief efforts at the opening of the meeting in New Haven, Conn.