International Development Economics Associates
(IDEAs) is organizing a three day workshop followed by a three day international
conference at the Tsinghua University Premises in Beijing, China. The
tentative dates are 3-5th June (Workshop) and 7-9th June (Conference),
2007 with a one day break in between on the 6th of June.
Theme
The recent decades have thrown up interesting dilemmas
for the developing world. While many countries have
witnessed some economic growth with a few experiencing
spectacular growth, the process of growth has often
been accompanied by increases in income inequality
and inadequate reduction of poverty. This has been
a rather disappointing trend since the policies of
structural reforms and globalization have always been
associated with promises of poverty eradication, a
reduction in the inequality of income distribution,
and a general rise in welfare for developing economies.
Therefore, this workshop and conference intend to
focus on the extent and nature of growth in developing
economies, particularly in Asia where growth has been
a question of crucial importance. It aims to explore
the extent to which the growth process has been related
to shifts in underlying economic structures with adverse
impact on poverty and inequality, or to policy paradigms,
both domestic and external, which have created these
contradictions within the growing developing world.
The impact on livelihood and employment patterns,
sectoral shifts in investment, production, and incomes,
the impact on human development and gender are all
sought to be studied in detail. Within growing Asia,
India and China have proved to be the more critical
cases given the combination of high growth and high
income inequalities. Therefore the events also intend
to look at these specific economies, and the growth
process thereof, to analyse what may be the lessons
for future economies who are heading for a period
of high growth.
The conference will highlight new research on changes
in inequality and poverty in different parts of the
world, particularly in developing Asia. It will raise
questions on the different definitions and changing
nature of poverty. It will also have a strong focus
on the relevant policy measures for effective poverty
reduction.
Applications:
Applications to participate in the workshop and attend
the conference are invited from young economists from
developing countries who have completed or are close
to completing their Ph.D. In addition, individuals
with a strong economics background involved in advocacy
work with civil society organizations or engaged in
policy making activities are welcome to apply.
Participants would be expected to stay for a total
of 7-8 nights, arriving on the 3rd and leaving by
the 10th of June, 2007. Selected participants will
be provided full funding for travel, besides boarding
and lodging (on a twin sharing basis), to attend both
the workshop and the conference. Applicants from low-income
developing countries will get preferential treatment
with regard to funds. Researchers from the "South"
and Asia are especially encouraged to apply. However,
those candidates who have attended an IDEAs workshop
in the past one year will not be given preference.
The workshop will be organized in four modules on
each of the three days. The first three of them would
be in the form of lecture-cum-discussion sessions
(of one and a half hours each) which will be taken
by senior academicians, policymakers from around the
world. These will be followed each day by a two hour
session where some of the young participants would
be invited to make presentations in their current
area of research.
How to Apply:
A letter of application, accompanied by a recent version
of the curriculum vitae and one letter of recommendation
should be sent by 31st March,
2007 to Prof. C P Chandrasekhar or Prof. Jayati
Ghosh at the addresses given below. In addition, all
applicants must send an abstract of one of their recent
research papers on an area of their choice with the
applications. From among the chosen candidates, some
of the submitted papers will be selected for presentation
during the workshop. However, selection for participation
in the workshop will not be based entirely on the
quality of abstracts.
Send applications to:
International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs)
c/o, Economic Research Foundation
124 A/1 Katwaria Sarai Main Road,
New Delhi 110016
INDIA
Tel +91-11-26611235, +91-11-26850050
Fax +91-11-26611764
Email: workshopideas@gmail.com
and erf@vsnl.com
(please mention: 'Application for IDEAs Beijing workshop'
under subject)