Lahore, The second ‘Pathways to Development Conference’ was recently held at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), gathering a diverse array of academics, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss critical issues related to inequalities and social justice in Pakistan.
According to Lahore University of Management Sciences, The conference was jointly organized by the Chaudhry Nazar Muhammad Department of Economics and the Mahbub Ul Haq Research Centre (MHRC) at LUMS, alongside the Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives (IDEAS), the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex (IDS), the Consortium for Development Policy Research (CDPR), the International Growth Centre (IGC), and the Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP). The event, spanning from December 18 to 20, featured over 20 sessions where experts from various disciplines presented their latest research on growth and development.
The conference was officially opened by Mr. Shahid Hussain, Rector of LUMS, and Dr. Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor of LUMS. They expressed pride in LUMS and its partners for spearheading discussions on economic and social development, reflecting the strength of Pakistan’s research ecosystem.
The first day’s focus was on poverty alleviation, public health, and education as key drivers of Pakistan’s development. Keynote speaker Dr. Stefan Dercon, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford, highlighted macroeconomic stability and governance as crucial for fostering growth in Pakistan. Panels featured insights from Dr. Ishrat Husain, Former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, and other international experts, comparing the growth trajectories of Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.
Day two began with a keynote address by Dr. Steven Wilkinson, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at Yale University, on war and revolutionary change. Sessions covered themes like climate change, gender inequality, and child stunting in Pakistan. A notable all-women panel discussed gender, technology, and women’s empowerment in Pakistan. The day concluded with a keynote by Dr. Amaney Jamal from Princeton University, emphasizing the need for peace and demilitarization in conflict areas like Gaza.
The final day featured a keynote address on gender justice and the wellbeing economy by Dr. Naila Kabeer from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Discussions on elite capture, gender and labour, and judiciary and state institutions were led by renowned scholars.
The conference successfully ignited discussions on vital topics, setting a foundation for a sustainable and growth-oriented future for Pakistan. The organizers thanked all participants, speakers, sponsors, and media partners for their crucial roles in making the Pathways to Development Conference a success.