Growth linked to stable governance

LAHORE:The second ‘Pathways to Development Conference’, held at LUMS from December 18 to 20, saw prominent academics, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from within Pakistan, the Pakistani diaspora, as well as others working on Pakistan and the region gathered at LUMS to discuss issues vital to inequalities and social justice in the country.

According to a press release, experts from across various disciplines presented their most recent research on growth and development over 20 riveting sessions. Shahid Hussain, Rector, LUMS, along with Dr Ali Cheema, Vice-Chancellor, LUMS, officially opened the conference.

The focus of the first day was on poverty alleviation, alongside advancements in public health and education as indispensable catalysts of Pakistan’s development. Keynote speaker Dr Stefan Dercon, Professor of Economic Policy, University of Oxford, emphasised the significance of macroeconomic stability, outward orientation, elite bargain, and stable governance in fostering Pakistan's growth. Subsequent panel discussions included contributions from Dr Shaheen Naseer (University of Oxford, UK), Dr Javed Younas (American University, Sharjah), Dr Takashi Kurosaki (Hitotsubashi University, Japan), Dr Andreas Landmann (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany), Dr Ryu Matsuura (Northwestern University, USA), Dr Alexander Lee (Rochester University, USA), and others.