ERF 15th Annual Conference - Equity and Economic Development Cairo, Egypt 23 November 2008 - 25 November 2008

The 15th Annual Conference of the Economic Research Forum (ERF) was held in Cairo, Egypt from November 23 - 25, 2008. Like previous ERF annual conferences, the 15th Annual Conference provides a unique opportunity for researchers from the region to interact with one another and with international experts. It also provides a venue for the presentation of multiple research papers, both in the plenary and parallel sessions, followed by stimulating discussions and feedback. In addition, the conference features selected research projects and celebrates excellence in research.

The common theme of the plenary sessions was “Equity and Economic Development”. To accommodate various research interests, the parallel sessions, which are based on call for papers, covered the following 6 themes: macroeconomics, finance, labor and human development, international economics, microeconomics and institutional economics. The conference hosted more than 200 participants, and witnessed the presentation and discussion of more than 40 papers.  Under the theme of Equity and Economic Development, speakers in the plenary sessions addressed the following topics:

Plenary Session 1: Evolution and Determinants of Inequality
This plenary explored the evolution and determinants of inequality between and within countries. The speakers addressed such questions as: has inequality increased or decreased over time? What are the factors that have contributed to this outcome? Is it globalization, technological change or something else?

• Extent and consequences of inequality, Jean-Yves Duclos
• Inequality in the Arab World, Mohamed Lahouel 

Plenary Session 2: Policies for Equitable Distribution of Income and Opportunity
This session explored the impact of various policies on equality of income and opportunity. It assessed the impact of such policies as fiscal policies, education, health, micro credit and safety net programs on the less fortune in society. It also derived lessons from accumulated experience thus far.

• Inequality in Human Development and How It Can Be Reduced by Improving Public Spending and Service Delivery, Ritva Reinikka
• Intergenerational Inequality in MENA: Demographic, Economic and Institutional Determinants, Ragui Assaad

Plenary Session 3: The Political Economy of Equality and Inequality
This session explored the underlying political economy factors of equality and inequality. To this end, it addressed such questions as: what is the relationship between the distribution of power and the economic fortunes within society and globally? What are the dynamics of this relationship, possibly illustrated by the recent experience of Latin America? And what are the political factors that are likely to facilitate upward social mobility and global equality?

• The Political Economy of Equality and Inequality, James Robinson
• The Political Economy of Inequality in the Arab Region and Inequality in the Arab Region and Relevant Development Policies, Ali Abdel Gadir Ali
• The Political Economy of Equality and Inequality, Galal Amin

• Institutional Economics / Governance
• Finance
• International Economics
• Labor and Human Development
• Microeconomics and Sectoral Studies
• Macroeconomics
  

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