Global economists convene in Lahore

The Centre for Research in Economics and Business (CREB) and the Innovation and Technology Centre (ITC) at Lahore School of Economics inaugurated the 6th International Conference on Applied Development Economics (ADE) in Lahore on Thursday. The three-day in-person event, running from August 15 to 17, 2024, is organised in collaboration with the International Growth Centre and the Consortium for Development Policy Research. The conference gathers international and local researchers to discuss development issues in low and middle-income countries, with themes ranging from labour markets and technology to health, gender, trade, and climate change.

The conference aims to highlight research with potential policy impact, offer early career researchers' valuable feedback, and foster collaborations among scholars. In his opening remarks, Dr Shahid Chaudhry, Rector of Lahore School of Economics, emphasised Pakistan's resilience despite challenges such as overpopulation and limited resources, especially concerning women's education and employment. Chaudhry also expressed gratitude to CREB and the conference sponsors.

The event commenced with a plenary address by Dr Adrienne Lucas, Professor at the University of Delaware, who discussed strategies to improve learning in low-productivity education systems. Her research in Ghana demonstrated that learning outcomes can be enhanced within existing systems through refresher training and differentiated teaching practices.

The conference's first session on labour markets included presentations on improving online freelancing outcomes, the role of intermediaries in Pakistan's labour market, and the impact of childcare subsidies on labour supply and marriage decisions.