Dynamic visions of Greater Boston's future were presented at the Business School last weekend at a forum of more than 250 leaders from business, academia, government, and community organizations.

The meeting, which launched Boston's World Century Campaign/Millennium Initiative, was co-convened by Business School Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, BankBoston, and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

The Millennium Initiative is an effort to use the coming of the new century as a focal point for assessing Boston's strengths and weaknesses, for fostering change, and for making the city stronger socially and economically by developing a calendar of special events and programs leading up to the year 2000.

Among those addressing the gathering were Provost Albert Carnesale and Business School Dean Kim Clark, both of whom made welcoming remarks.

Proposals discussed in the conference's numerous working group meetings included creating more permanent job opportunities for all segments of Boston's population, focusing on the competitive advantage provided by the city's diverse population, and promoting Boston internationally as effectively as possible. Working groups were led by Business School Professors James Austin, Herminia Ibarra, Robert Kaplan, Richard Meyer, and Kasturi (Kash) Rangan.

According to Professor Kanter, "The World Century Campaign/Millennium Initiative will be a major undertaking to ensure excellence for all parts of the region into the next century by building on our core strengths and attracting global markets with our many resources."