KARACHI, December 09 2024: The third edition of the Pathways to Development Conference is set to take place at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) from December 16–18, 2024. This prominent 3-day event will bring together a diverse group of scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world to engage in critical discussions on the challenges faced by developing economies.
Organized by the Chaudhry Nazar Muhammad Department of Economics, the Mahbub ul Haq Research Centre (MHRC) at LUMS, and several esteemed partners including the Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP), Institute for Development and Economic Alternatives (IDEAS), University of Sussex’s Institute of Development Studies (IDS), Consortium for Development Policy Research (CDPR), and the International Growth Centre (IGC), the conference will foster deep intellectual exchanges on pressing global development issues.
Dr. Sanval Nasim, Assistant Professor at Colby College, highlighted the conference’s significance in fostering dialogue, saying, “Pathways to Development brings together top researchers from around the world focusing on Pakistan and South Asia’s development, providing a crucial space for knowledge exchange between academic researchers and policy practitioners.”
The theme of this year’s conference, Governance and Inclusion, will address how equitable governance can help resolve issues like societal fragmentation and unequal access to essential resources such as healthcare, education, and justice. By focusing on these critical topics, the event will aim to uncover the complexities of building inclusive, resilient societies while bridging the gap between research and policy. The discussions will aim to provide valuable insights into the socio-economic challenges facing Pakistan, highlighting successful strategies while acknowledging areas where progress has been limited.
Notable plenary sessions at this year’s conference include:
- From End of History to Hell in a Handbasket: Framing the Current Development Challenge with Lant Pritchett from the London School of Economics
- Climate Justice: Legal and Policy Challenges in the Face of a Climate Emergency featuring Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah (Supreme Court of Pakistan), Saad Gulzar (Princeton), Maira Hayat (Notre Dame), and Ghazala Mansuri (World Bank)
- The Non-Filing Dilemma: Base Broadening and Deepening in Pakistan with Mazhar Waseem from the University of Manchester
Building on the conference’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking, Dr. Stefan Dercon, a previous keynote speaker from Oxford University, shared his thoughts: “To have greater impact, we must better understand what drives policymakers—what can we do within existing constraints, and how can we encourage sensible growth and development strategies?”
This conference offers a unique platform for interdisciplinary discussions, combining academic research with practical solutions, and aims to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing dialogue around development in Pakistan and beyond.
