Addressing Inequalities: Policies for Inclusive Development

A two-day workshop organised by the Inter-Regional Inequality Facility and held at UNECA, Addis Ababa, July 11-12^th 2005

Background

All countries have signed up to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). At present it is clear that many countries are not on course to meet the various targets associated with these Goals. Although low rates of economic growth are often the main reason, high levels of inequality within countries also play a role. This is either because they raise the rate of economic growth required to achieve the targets or because they lower the rate of economic growth itself. Furthermore, even when countries are on course to meet the targets at the national level, rates of progress for different groups of people within countries are sometimes highly unequal.

Purpose

The purpose of the workshop is to highlight and discuss ways in which policy-makers can tackle inequality in its various forms. It will bring together researchers and policy-makers from governments and research institutions in Asia, Africa and Latin America, with the aim of sharing evidence and experiences both on which policies are desirable and how to bring about policy change.

Organisation and structure

The workshop is being organised by the Inter-Regional Inequality Facility, a collaboration between the Inter-American Development Bank, the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the New Partership for African Development and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The Facility was established in September 2004 with initial funding from the UK Department for International Development.

The event will consist mainly of five sessions on key areas through which governments can address inequality: transfers and safety nets, labour markets and training, affirmative action, access to public services, and improved monitoring and evaluation. Each session will consist of presentations on existing initiatives (`policy case studies' (see below for the full list), followed by comments and discussion. There will also be a session on the state of existing research into the causes and consequences of inequality in Asia, Africa and Latin America, with a particular focus on research carried out by institutions within each region.

Background materials (as of July 4^th 2005)

10 policy case studies

3 regional synthesis papers

1 overview paper

Notes for presenters, discussants and chairs.

Timetable: Day 1

Timetable: Day 2