## Registration
This is a completely free event! To ensure that we have enough food for everyone, [please get your free tickets here](https://ti.to/effective-altruism-global-x/eagxphilly) if you are planning on coming. __A ticket is required to get lunch!__

## Schedule

| Time  | Speaker | Talk |
| ---------- | ---------- | ---------- |
| 10:00-10:45 | Amy Labenz | Introduction to Effective Altruism |
| 10:45-11:30 | Harish Sethu | Who We Eat and Why We Should Care |
| 11:30-12:15 | Allison Smith | What We Know About Helping Animals Effectively |
| 12:15-1:00 | Zell Kravinsky | What's In It For Me: Selfish Reasons to Consider Being an Altruist |
| 1:00-2:00 | Lunch | N/A |
| 2:00-2:45 | Dean Karlan | Pragmatic Philanthropy: Embracing Heart and Mind |
| 2:45-3:30 | Ariella Park | What Does It Actually Cost? Improving Education Policy Through Rigorous Evaluation and Cost Effectiveness Analyses |
| 3:30-4:15 | Anuradha Gupta | Saving Lives & Protecting People's Health With Vaccines |
| 4:15-5:00 | Lucas Perry | Effective Altruism and Existential Risks |

## Speakers

__Amy Willey Labenz__ is General Counsel and Senior Events Manager at the Centre for Effective Altruism. She is responsible for US Operations, managing the Events Team, and producing Effective Altruism Global. Previously, Amy was Chief Operating Officer of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute where she was also Executive Producer of The Singularity Summit. She also served as Of Counsel with Goodman & Hurwitz, P.C., a Detroit law firm that advocates for civil rights and human rights in police and government misconduct cases. Amy earned a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law after graduating summa cum laude from Alma College with a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Service.

__Harish Sethu__ joined Humane League Labs in 2016 and is serving in volunteer capacity as its Director. He obtained his bachelor's degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, and his Ph.D. in computer engineering from Lehigh University. Harish began his career working for IBM Corporation helping build the fastest computer in the world at the time, best known for Deep Blue and its winning chess match against Kasparov. Harish has more than 25 years of experience as a researcher and has co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed technical publications in the research literature. He teaches and conducts research at a large private university in the areas of web security, data science, and social computing. Harish is a member of the board of The Humane League and is the author of the blog Counting Animals.

__Allison Smith__ is the director of research at Animal Charity Evaluators. She has two degrees in mathematics, and her previous professional experience has centered around math education. Allison has been involved in ACE research efforts since May 2013, and joined the ACE team in August 2013.

__Zell Kravinsky__ is an American investor and extreme altruist who is known for making a non-directed kidney donation to a stranger and for donating over $45 million of his personal wealth to charity. He is a former University of Pennsylvania professor and lectured there full-time for several years. He has earned two Ph.Ds from the University of Pennsylvania, one in rhetoric and another in English literature.

__Dean Karlan__ is a Professor of Economics at Yale University and founder of Innovations for Poverty Action. He received his Ph.D in Economics 2002 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and prior to that completed an MBA and MPP from the University of Chicago. He is a recipient of the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), and the Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship. Dean is also on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the M.I.T. Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab. His research focuses on microeconomic issues of public policies and poverty. Much of his work uses behavioral economics insights and approaches to examine economic and policy issues relevant to developing countries, with particular attention to policies to increase income and financial wellbeing for those in extreme poverty. In the United States, he works on charitable giving, financial services for the under and unbanked, and behavioral health.

__Ariella Park__ is a Senior Policy Associate at the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) who supports the Health sector and manages a research initiative that focuses on improving urban services in developing countries. In her capacity as Senior Policy Associate, she writes policy publications, cultivates new research partnerships, and conducts policy outreach for evidence dissemination, managing activities in East Asia. Prior to her time at J-PAL, Ariella worked at several government and private sector organizations in the international development field, including the U.S. State Department and a private consulting firm. She also spent time in Colombia working for a social business incubator. Ariella graduated with distinction from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service with an accelerated MS in International Development.

__Anuradha Gupta__ is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Prior to joining Gavi, Anuradha served as Additional Secretary at the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Mission Director of the National Health Mission where she ran the largest – and possibly most complex – public health programme in the world with an annual budget of US$ 3.5 billion. Anuradha played a leading role in India’s efforts to eradicate polio transmission. She has also led efforts to pioneer free care for over 165 million pregnant mothers and children; to introduce universal child health screening for 270 million children, and to design an innovative health programme for 350 million adolescents. Anuradha has assumed an important role in a number of global health initiatives, including Co-Chairing the Partnership for Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (PMNCH), serving as a member of the Steering Committee of the “Child Survival Call to Action” at the invitation of Secretary of State Clinton, Co-Chairing the Stakeholder Group for the London Family Planning Summit 2020, and as a member of the Family Planning 2020 Reference Group.

__Lucas Perry__ is a research associate at the Future of Life Institute. Lucas is passionate about the role that science and technology will play in the evolution of all sentient life. He has studied at a Buddhist monastery in Nepal and while there he engaged in meditative retreats and practices. He is now working to challenge and erode our sense of self and our subject-object frame of reference. His current project explores how mereological nihilism and the illusion of self may contribute to forming a radically post-human consequentialist ethics. His other work seeks to resolve the conflicts between bio-conservatism and transhumanism



## Talks

__Introduction to Effective Altruism__

Amy Labenz

This talk is an introduction to Effective Altruism, a growing social movement that uses evidence and reason to improve the world as much as possible. Amy Labenz will discuss ways that our minds are biased and miscalibrated, and suggest that if we move forward using evidence and reason, improve how our minds work, and improve the amount and quality of feedback we get, we can do hundreds or thousands of times as much good.


__Who We Eat and Why We Should Care__

Harish Sethu

This talk will present a brief overview of the scientific evidence that the animals we eat have the capacity to suffer and why reducing their suffering should matter to effective altruists. Then, a series of infographic animations will survey the numbers of all categories of animals we eat — finfish, shellfish, birds and hoofed mammals. The presentation will include a number-centric overview of the lives of two representative animals we eat: salmon among aquatic animals and chickens among land animals. The talk will also cover the current trends in these numbers and their implications to advocacy on behalf of animals used for food.


__What We Know About Helping Animals Effectively__

Allison Smith

As a society, we've committed few resources to thoughtfully helping non-human animals, and even fewer to understanding what methods really work best. What do we know, and how can we use it to improve our impact? Allison Smith will talk about how and why Animal Charity Evaluators makes the decisions it does, including their focus on farmed animals, their strategies for evaluating interventions and charities, and a little about their current recommendations.


__What’s In It For Me: Selfish Reasons to Consider Being an Altruist__

Zell Kravinsky 

Dr. Kravinsky will talk about what the EA movement has to offer those who don't know much about it--the various forms of satisfaction that (independent of the consequential arguments) the ethical existence offers those who pursue it, and the justification for regarding EA as an ideally ethical lifestyle.


__Pragmatic Philanthropy: Embracing Heart and Mind__

Dean Karlan

Details to come!


__What Does It Actually Cost? Improving Education Policy through Rigorous Evaluation and Cost Effectiveness Analyses__

Ariella Park

Donors, policymakers, and implementing organizations are often faced with a wide array of policy options, but limited resources and limited evidence. This presentation will demonstrate the power of rigorous evaluation, coupled with cost data and cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs), in shedding light on what works and what doesn't in poverty reduction. Calculating the cost-effectiveness of a program—for instance, dollars spent per additional day of student attendance at school—can offer insights into which programs are likely to provide the greatest value for money in given situations. After briefly walking through J-PAL's CEA methodology, we'll discuss an example of a simple, cost-effective pedagogical intervention in the education sector that has since been scaled up across contexts. 


__Saving Lives & Protecting People's Health With Vaccines__

Anuradha Gupta

 Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools of modern science. Immunisation has allowed the world to eradicate smallpox, to reach the verge of eradicating polio, and to reduce cases of measles, whooping cough and other infectious diseases by nearly 95% since 1980. Over the same period, over 25 new vaccines have been launched which protect against some of the leading killers of children, such as pneumonia and diarrhoea, and can even protect against some leading cancers. Vaccines are our best defence against outbreaks of deadly diseases such as yellow fever and Ebola which have high epidemic potential. Immunisation is often the first service to reach communities providing the backbone for the primary healthcare system.
 
Yet, at the turn of the twentieth century, many people were still not benefitting from the protection afforded by vaccines. Two out of every five children in the developing world were not receiving even the most basic vaccines, and powerful modern vaccines remained out of reach for all but the wealthiest families. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, was created in 2000 – just as the world was embracing the Millennium Development Goals – to address this inequity. Bringing together partners from across the immunisation community including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, vaccine industry, civil society and national governments, Gavi has supported countries to introduce hundreds of new vaccines, immunise over 580 million children, and avert more than 8 million deaths. Moreover, it has pioneered a new model of development which has enabled developing countries to scale-up their investment in immunisation, mobilised a significant increase in resources from donors, transformed vaccine markets, and helped strengthen countries’ primary healthcare systems laying a foundation for universal health coverage. The biggest challenge now is to reach the remaining 14% of children who are not being immunised each year, who live in some of the most marginalised and under-served communities in the world. If that can be achieved, the world will be well on its way towards realizing the aspiration of the new Sustainable Development Goals.


__Effective Altruism and Existential Risks__

Lucas Perry

Technology has given life the opportunity to flourish like never before -- or to self-destruct. Almost everything that we enjoy about the modern human condition is the product of greater technology and intelligence, yet many of the greatest threats we face are also a result of technology. The worst of these threats are known as 'existential risks.' These are events that could lead to the extinction of the human species or could drastically curtail the potential future of Earth-originating intelligent life. How do threats of this magnitude fit into effective altruism and what can we do about them? Lucas Perry, Project Coordinator for the Future of Life Institute, explores these questions and what FLI is doing to mitigate these risks.

EAGxPhilly

EAGxPhilly 2017

::::details
:::summary
#### Why is it called EAGx?
:::
Just like there are [TED and TEDx conferences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TED_(conference)#TEDx), there are EAG and EAGx conferences. The 'x' indicates that this is an community organised EAG event.
::::

::::details
:::summary
#### Where are EAGx conferences happening?
:::
View our [upcoming events](https://www.effectivealtruism.org/ea-global/events) to see what's currently in the works.
::::

::::details
:::summary
#### Can I organise an EAGx conference?
:::
Yes! If you are interested in organising an EAGx conference yourself, please [apply here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9oue1arul-YQ0RB3MUCSbBXMEFyhIp573Zf6FCgx4khtVHA/viewform) and contact ollie@eaglobal.org with any questions. 
::::

EAGx FAQ


::::details
:::summary
#### What are EA Global and EAGx Events?
:::
EA Global (EAG) and EAGx are a series of conferences for members of the effective altruism (EA) community.

Both EA Global and EAGx conferences typically last around 2-3 days. They involve talks, workshops, discussions, and many chances to network with people interested in effective altruism. The conferences can range in size, from several hundred to over a thousand attendees! 

Although the events are very similar, there are some differences between EA Global and EAGx events. For example, EA Global is organized by the Centre for Effective Altruism, while EAGx is organized by members of the EA community, with support from the events team. See below for more information.
::::

::::details
:::summary
#### What’s the difference between an EA Global and EAGx?
:::
Both EA Global (EAG) and EAGx events are quite similar; they are opportunities for people interested in effective altruism to make connections, exchange ideas, and attend talks and workshops over the course of a few days.

Just like there are [TED and TEDx conferences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TED_(conference)#TEDx), there are EAG and EAGx conferences. The 'x' indicates that this is a community-organised EAG event. 

EA Global conferences are organized by the Centre for Effective Altruism, and people from all over the world attend these. The team at CEA is responsible for choosing the content, processing admissions, and the event's production.

EAGx events, on the other hand, are mostly community-organized (with some support from the EA Global team). The target audience for EAGx events is broader than EAG, but tends to have a more regional focus. CEA provides funding and support to EAGx events (eg. access to our event app), but the local community organisers are responsible for choosing content, processing admissions, and the event's production. 

::::
::::details
:::summary
#### Who should attend an EA Global or EAGx conference?
:::
EA Global and EAGx events are designed to help members of the effective altruism community make progress on the world's pressing problems by sharing new thinking and research as well as starting or coordinating on important projects. We have an admissions system for EA Global and EAGx events, to help us select for applicants who seem most able to help each other pursue these goals.

You can read more about what we’re looking for in the admissions section of the FAQ, but in short: 

EA Global is mostly aimed at people who have a solid understanding of the core ideas of EA and who are taking significant actions based on those ideas. Many EA Global attendees are already professionally working on effective-altruism-inspired projects or figuring out how best to work on such projects.

EAGx conferences are primarily for people who are:
- Familiar with [the core ideas of effective altruism](https://80000hours.org/articles/effective-altruism/)
- Interested in learning more about what to do with these ideas
- From the region or country where the conference is taking place (or living there)

**If you want to attend but are unsure about whether to apply, please err on the side of applying!**

We sometimes admit people who view themselves as less experienced. We also sometimes admit people who are less invested in effective altruism than other applicants, but whose professional background or studies make them well placed to help other attendees at the conference achieve their goals.

__You must be 18 or older at the time of the event in order to attend EAG and EAGx events.__ In the past, we allowed under 18s to attend with a chaperone. Unfortunately, this is no longer allowed due to our current insurance policy.
::::

::::details
:::summary
#### Should I volunteer? How do I sign up to volunteer?
:::
Volunteers are crucial to the success of our conferences! Before EA Global, volunteers are asked to do 3 hours of pre-event training. During the event, volunteers generally complete one 4-6 hour shift each day. Besides these time commitments, volunteers participate in the conference as all attendees do. For this reason, we require volunteers to be accepted to the conference as an attendee before they can join the volunteer team.

Volunteers help the conference run smoothly in a variety of ways, such as liaising with speakers, welcoming attendees, managing the content rooms, and helping attendees navigate the venue.

In the past, volunteers have found connecting with each other and the conference organisers to be extremely valuable. We view this benefit as a crucial aspect of the volunteering process. 

We think volunteering is particularly useful for: 

* Attendees who want to test their operations or event-running skills
* Attendees who would like to help ensure the conference is a success
* First-time attendees who don’t expect to be completely booked with meetings
* Attendees who would like to meet other volunteers or work with the organising team

To volunteer, simply express interest in the application or registration form for EA Global, or email us at hello@eaglobal.org. 

::::

::::details
:::summary
#### How much will it cost to attend?
:::
We typically require attendees to buy a ticket. For __EA Global__ events that require tickets, the default price is __$500__ though we offer reduced-price and free tickets to those who might need them. Students and attendees seeking work will have an opportunity to request a free ticket as part of the application form.

Some of our EA Global Events are free to attend—this will be made clear on the registration page for the relevant event. We do ask that you consider donating, and when registering for the conference you will have an opportunity to do this. Just like our ticketed events, our suggested donation is £400 ($500).

__EAGx events__ are organised separately and ticket prices will vary by event. Some of our EAGx events are also free to attend—this will be made clear on the registration page for the relevant event. We do ask that you consider donating, and you will have an opportunity to do this when registering for the conference. Please see the relevant event for the details.

Our events cost between $500 and $2,000 per person to run, with EAGx events on the lower side and EA Global events on the higher side. There are relatively few venues that are well-located and large enough to accommodate our events and the costs to host events at these venues are often high, with large line items like catering and audio-visual (AV) services heavily marked up.

We’re working to reduce these costs. Recently, we’ve reduced the number of meals we serve at our events, negotiated more competitive AV quotes, limited how much travel support we provide to attendees and identified cheaper venues. Still, we ask that attendees consider supporting us so that we can continue to run these events for the benefit of the effective altruism community.

We also offer some travel support. If you need travel support, you should let us know during your application; there is a designated question about this. Requesting travel support does not lower your chance of being accepted to the conference.

You can see [more on travel support here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gOvK6TKnQS0LADHmYCExCbWK7xsBVmqHdCICvDxNmjo/edit#) and in FAQs below. 
::::

::::details
:::summary
#### What is your travel support policy?
:::

Please see our full travel support policy [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gOvK6TKnQS0LADHmYCExCbWK7xsBVmqHdCICvDxNmjo/edit#) for more details.

Many attendees can use their own funds to cover travel and accommodation for the conference, or can ask for them to be covered by their employer or university. While we'd like for attendees to use these funding sources wherever possible, others may need financial support in order to attend. 

If you need travel support, let us know during your application; there is a designated question about this. __Requesting travel support does not lower your chance of being accepted to the conference.__ 

In 2024, attendees are eligible to receive funding for a maximum of one EA Global conference for the year (note: this does not include EAGx conferences). 

If you attend an EA Global in 2024 without funding, you’re still eligible to apply for funding to another EA Global that year, though we may down-weigh your funding application (as we try to fund people who’ve been to fewer EA Globals). This decision is based on decreased availability in travel funding.

Please read the [full travel support policy](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gOvK6TKnQS0LADHmYCExCbWK7xsBVmqHdCICvDxNmjo/edit#) to find out more. If you have any questions, please contact admissions@eaglobal.org.

::::
::::details
:::summary
#### What should I do if I need a visa?
:::
If you may need a visa in order to attend, you should apply as early as possible, and let us know during your application; there is a designated question about this. We can provide you with a visa letter if you are admitted. Unfortunately, we're unable to offer advice regarding visa application processes.
::::

::::details
:::summary
#### Is it possible to get a refund for tickets if I have already paid?
:::
Refunds are possible for certain events up to a few weeks before the event. Please check the relevant event page for details. If you believe you are eligible for a refund, please contact us at [admissions@eaglobal.org](mailto:admissions@eaglobal.org).
::::

::::details
:::summary
#### How should I prepare for the conference?
:::
We've found that attendees get much more value from the conference if they prepare in advance. 

Here are some concrete steps you can take to prepare for the conference itself:

* Make a list of your priorities — what you’d like to get out of the conference
* Make a plan of action based on those priorities
* Follow the instructions in the emails you’re getting and make yourself a profile on Swapcard (our event app) 
* Look through other people’s profiles and connect with those you’d like to meet with or who share your interests
* Look through sessions on the agenda and register for the ones you’d like to attend (and bookmark the ones you’re interested in but which you’re less sure about)
* Be realistic - plan in adequate time to rest, refuel and to have spontaneous conversations  
* Read [Forum posts tagged “effective altruism conferences”](https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/tag/effective-altruism-conferences) for lots more tips on how to get the most out of attending a conference  

::::

::::details
:::summary
#### How do I find accommodation?
:::

In general, attendees are responsible for booking their own accommodation. We also have a conference-specific Slack for each event which includes a channel for coordinating accommodation with other attendees. 

At some events, such as EA Global: Bay Area 2023, we have had accommodation available on site, but this will generally not be the case.

::::

::::details
:::summary
#### What is Swapcard? How do I use it?
:::
Swapcard is the app we use for our events. Attendees use it to:
* Look at the agenda and register for the content sessions they’d like to attend
* Make a profile to help you connect with other attendees - you can say what you do, what you’re interested in talking about, what ideas or expertise you can give others, and how to contact you 
* Request 1-1 or small group meetings with other attendees - choose the people, the time, and the meeting point
* Send messages to coordinate with other attendees, during and after the conference
* Find key information about the event, such as the attendee guide, map, wifi, jobs board, or what time food is being served

Once your application has been accepted to the conference, you'll be given access to the event Swapcard page roughly 1-2 weeks before the event.

::::
::::details
:::summary
#### I want to speak at a conference or there's some content I'd like to see, what do I do?
:::
You can suggest a speaker (including yourself) or share other content ideas using [this form](https://forms.gle/ePtLDy11c33Te8N29). 

This form does not guarantee that a content suggestion will be included in a conference, nor that each entry will receive a response. However, we're grateful for submissions to this form and we monitor form responses regularly.  

You can also email speakers@eaglobal.org, or contact specific EAGx teams by using the email address on their event page.
::::
::::details
:::summary
#### What kind of food will be served?
:::
Catered food at our conferences is typically vegan. Any non-vegan or allergy-specific food will be labeled. Each event will share a participant guide with accepted attendees shortly before the conference, which will cover many logistics, including more information about food at the conference. 

If you need to bring your own food, we are usually able to help you with refrigerator space — please ask at [hello@eaglobal.org](mailto:hello@eaglobal.org).
::::

::::details
:::summary
#### Can you make accommodations for accessibility?
:::
We try to make our conferences accessible to everyone. Please ask at [hello@eaglobal.org](mailto:hello@eaglobal.org) if you have questions about accessibility or if you need us to make any accommodations.
::::

::::details
:::summary
#### How do you manage COVID risk?
:::
The COVID protocols will vary by event, as the situation and location changes. Some events may require that attendees follow certain rules (such as declaring their vaccination status and testing before the event).

For EA Global events we are not currently imposing any COVID restrictions, though we recommend attendees to be up to date with WHO-approved vaccines. 

When possible at our venues, we set up space outdoors or areas with good ventilation.

::::
::::details
:::summary
#### What is the code of conduct at EAG(x) events?
:::
__At EA Global, EAGx events and social events associated with EA Global or EAGx events, all attendees agree to:__

- Respect the boundaries of other participants.
- Look out for one another and try to help if you can.
- Adhere to national and local health and safety regulations, as well as any additional policies we institute for EA Global.

__This is a professional learning and networking event. These behaviors don't belong at EA Global or related events:__ 

- Unwanted sexual attention or sexual harassment of any kind.
- Using the event app to request meetings for romantic or sexual reasons.
- Offensive, disruptive, or discriminatory actions or communication.

We understand that human interaction is complex. If you feel able, please give each other the benefit of explaining behavior you find unwelcome or offensive. 

If you’re asked to stop a behavior that’s causing a problem for someone, we expect you to stop immediately.

*You can contact us at hello@eaglobal.org if you have any questions.*

---

All our conferences have at least one community contact person whose role is to be available for personal or interpersonal problems that come up. Feedback can also be left anonymously on the event survey, or on the community health team’s [anonymous contact form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJooJD0Sm2csCYgd0Is6FkpyQa3ket8IIcFzd_FcTRU7avRg/viewform).
::::

::::details
:::summary
#### How can I contact the EA Global or EAGx organizers?
:::
For general enquiries, please email us at [hello@eaglobal.org](mailto:hello@eaglobal.org). We can redirect you to the right teams from here.

You can find EAGx organising team email addresses on their specific [event pages](https://www.effectivealtruism.org/ea-global/events). 

For EA Global admissions related questions please contact [admissions@eaglobal.org](mailto:admissions@eaglobal.org).

For anonymous feedback, use CEA's form [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAuu8qVC_jGNaLF_hIcp7WValy5DlN6kyYeAA3zOkj5W2WJg/viewform).
::::

::::details
:::summary
#### I can no longer attend EAG(x), how do I cancel my registration?
:::
To cancel your registration, please complete the following steps: 
1. [Log in](https://effectivealtruism.force.com/EAGlobal/s/my-event-registrations) to your EA Global account and go to the 'My Event Registrations' tab.
2. Navigate to the relevant EA Global event and click 'Manage'. This will open your registration record.
3. To the right of your registration record, you will see a small form titled, 'No Longer Interested in Attending?'
4. Please fill this out and click, 'Request Registration Cancellation'.
::::


EA GlobalEvents

EAGxPhilly 2017