Today's first Poverty Alleviation session was "Increasing Our Reach through Public-Private Partnerships." One of the speakers, Ciudad Saludable Executive Director Albina Ruiz talked about how women in South America became "micro-entrepreneurs" by collecting waste and turning them into recycled bags. She now employs 12 women and exports these products.

This theme -- individual empowerment -- was picked up in the discussion sessions. The CGI participants came up with five suggestions for individuals to help create jobs in communities:

1. Volunteer. Tap the energy and expertise of ex-pats to use skills, cultural affinity, and resources.

2. Focus on local communities. Take action where you see a need.

3. Focus on yourself. Start with your own spending and behaviors, such as buying fair trade.

4. Support leaders. Leaders are everywhere, and need to be identified and supported.

5. Create company policies. Create policies in companies where employees and executives donate time for charitable giving.

One of the other panelists, Zaher Al Munajjed, chairman of Grameen-Jameel Pan-Arab Microfinance Limited, added that it's important for the top-level executives to embrace any company policies on charitable giving and should not be a "sideshow." "It is something that should be followed by the CEO, himself. He should care and follow it like he looks at his profit every quarter," said Al Munajjed. "It requires the leadership of the top man [or woman] and if it's not there, it will not work."

Watch these highlights from the session:

For more on how you can get involved, check out MyCommitment.org.

Amanda Terkel is Deputy Editor of ThinkProgress.org.