International Development Economics Associates
(IDEAs) is organizing a three day international conference in collaboration
with Action Aid the Department of Economics, Kenyatta University on 'Sustainable
Employment Generation in Developing Countries: Current constraints and
alternative strategies' at Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University
of Nairobi, Kenya between 25-27th January, 2007.
In addition to invited papers from established scholars, there will be
a call for papers from young scholars for this conference. Selected papers
will be presented by younger economists while others will be selected
to simply participate in the conference as part of a capacity-building
exercise for young economists.
Theme:
Productive employment generation is probably the issue of greatest social
concern and policy interest in most developing countries today. Over the
past fifteen years or more, policies of trade liberalisation and more
constrained state spending in crucial areas have been associated with
greater economic concentration and slow growth of productive employment
and income opportunities. The agrarian crisis and reduced viability of
cultivation, the destruction of traditional means of livelihood as well
as the competitive pressure upon small enterprises, have all meant the
export-oriented production has emerged in most countries as the preferred
option for increasing employment. Yet thus far, such production of exportable
goods and services has not generated enough employment to outweigh the
destruction of productive employment in other activities. In some developed
countries (and even in some developing countries) the “inflexibility”
of the labour market, in the form of laws providing some protection to
workers, have been blamed for the slow and inadequate rate of employment
generation. However, in most developing countries, not only is most of
the labour force employment in unorganised an informal activities, but
even the limited protection to workers in the organised sector has gradually
been undermined over the past two decades, and yet employment conditions
and possibilities have not improved but deteriorated further. In addition,
the jobs that are created tend to be worse in terms of remuneration, working
conditions and greater insecurity of contract.
In this context, the need to explore possible strategies of productive
and sustainable employment generation in developing countries has become
urgent. This conference will therefore be devoted to an examination of
recent employment patterns globally and in the major developing country
regions, to specific policies and processes that have enabled or prevented
sustainable employment diversification and expansion, and the potential
for developing alternative strategies. Thinking about sustainable employment
strategies necessarily implies thinking about alternative development
strategies that are feasible in the current context, which will therefore
be the underlying motivation for this conference.
World Social Forum 2007
In addition, IDEAs would also be jointly hosting with Action Aid two seminars
under the theme 'Strategies for Economic Justice under Globalisation'
during the World Social Forum 2007, which will be taking place in Nairobi,
Kenya between 21st and 25th January, 2007. Participants for the conference
are also invited to attend the IDEAs-Action Aid as well as other sessions
of their choice during 22-24th January at the WSF 2007.
Applications:
Applications to participate in 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. Applicants based in
Africa are especially encouraged to apply.
A letter of application, accompanied by a recent version of the curriculum
vitae and one letter of recommendation should
be sent by 13th November, 2006 to
Prof. C P Chandrasekhar or Prof. Jayati Ghosh at the addresses given below.
All applicants must also 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 conference during a special session each afternoon over the
three days. However, selection for participation in the conference may
not be based entirely on the quality of abstracts.
Participants would be expected to stay for a total of 6 nights, arriving
on the 22nd of January and leaving on the 28th of January, 2007. Selected
participants will be provided full funding for travel, besides boarding
and lodging (on a twin sharing basis), to attend both the WSF events (22-24th)
and the conference (25-27th). Applicants from low-income developing countries
will get preferential treatment with regard to funds. Researchers from
the "South" are especially encouraged to apply. However, those
candidates who have attended an IDEAs workshop/ conference in the past
one year will not be given preference.
Send applications to:
International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs)
c/o, Economic Research Foundation
124 A/1, Second Floor,Katwaria Sarai Main Road,
New Delhi - 110016.
INDIA
Telephone : + 91- 11- 26611235, 26850050.
Fax : + 91 - 11- 26611764.
Email: workshopideas@gmail.com
and erf@vsnl.com
(please mention: 'Application for IDEAs Kenya
Conference' under subject)