Michael Cohen is Director of International Affairs at the Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy and Professor of International Affairs at the New School for Public Engagement.  He is an urban and development policy specialist. He worked at the World Bank from 1972 to 1999 and was responsible for much of the bank’s urban policy development during that period. Mr. Cohen has worked in 55 countries and was heavily involved in the World Bank’s work on infrastructure, environment, and sustainable development. His numerous published works include several books on urban development, Africa, and the impact of development assistance. Mr. Cohen has advised governments, NGOs, and academic institutions around the world. He recently helped the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) prepare its 2007 Global Report on Human Settlements. He is currently the director of The New School’s Observatory on Latin America.