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  • Dhaka, Bangladesh - 2 Days
    Tuesday
    May 9
    2023

    The 11th South Asia Economic Policy Network Conference on Social Progress in South Asia

    While inequality in outcomes (consumption or income) in South Asia is moderate (with Gini coefficients ranging between 0.3 and 0.4), South Asia ranks among the least intergenerationally mobile regions in the world. For example, in South Asia, educational achievement is heavily dependent on the education of one’s parents: less than 9 percent of individuals whose parents’ education level was in the bottom half of the population reach levels of education of the highest educated 25 percent. These ‘sticky’ disparities in education translate into disparities in incomes and are extremely difficult to reduce.

    More generally, South Asia is one of the regions with the largest inequality of opportunity. Inequality of opportunity refers to inequality that is due to circumstances out of the control of the individual. Social progress for South Asians is not only heavily dependent on parental background, but also on other circumstances such as gender, race, caste, or place of birth.

    More than two decades of sustained economic growth across most of South Asia brought significant poverty reduction but inclusive social progress has remained elusive. In fact, high inequality of opportunity (and correspondingly low social mobility) can become a drag on future growth and jeopardize the achievement of development goals and eradication of poverty in the South Asia region. Inequality of opportunity is more detrimental to growth and societal cohesion than inequality of outcomes (Ferreira et al 2018, Marrero and Rodriguez, 2013, Narayan et al, 2018, Bussolo et al, 2019). In societies with low equality of opportunity, talented individuals may not reach their full potential because they are constrained by circumstances rather than by their lack of effort. To the extent that inequality in opportunity can be remediated, this may lead to greater equity, social cohesion, political stability and growth.

    In addition to objective inequality, perceptions or subjective measures of inequality are also important because of their implications for redistributive policies (Bénabou & Tirole, 2006, Gimpelson and Treisman, 2018). As in other parts of the world, perceptions of worsening inequality have been on the rise, even in cases where objective inequality has been stable or decreasing and, correspondingly, demands for corrective action have been increasing. For example, between 2006 and 2012 in India the share of people reporting that incomes should be more equally distributed increased from 33 to 48 percent, according to the World Value Survey data. Rather than misperceiving inequality, subjective views are likely encompassing a broader definition of inequality that correlates not only with objective inequality, but also with poverty and insecurity, as well as with fairness and social mobility, own individual or household situation, and ideology.

    Against this backdrop, the World Bank, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) and the South Asia Economic Policy Network invite papers addressing one of the following (or related) questions:

    • What factors drive intergenerational mobility and equality of opportunity in the South Asia region?
    • What is the role of social structures such as caste systems, ethnicity, gender, and religious divisions in overall inequality in South Asia?
    • What type of public policies and interventions can remove obstacles to intergenerational mobility and thereby promote equality of opportunity across individuals?
    • What is the role of social movements/democratic civil society in generating evidence and raising voices?

    We strongly encourage the submission of internationally publishable academic papers, especially from female researchers from South Asia. The conference on May 9-10 will be in-person and hosted by BIGD (the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with the possibility of connecting online for non-speakers. The sessions will feature paper presentations, a keynote lecture, and a high-level policy panel.

    Deadline for submission: Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

    Submission guidelines:

    • Please submit your paper to sarchiefeconomistoffice@worldbank.org
    • Only completed papers will be considered
    • Submissions should be made in .doc, .docx or .pdf file formats
    • The subject line should include the text “SAEF Conference 2023 Submission: [LAST NAME OF CORRESPONDING AUTHOR, PAPER TITLE]”
    • The body of the email should clearly indicate the names of the authors, and have the contact information of the corresponding author
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  • Virtual - 1 Day
    Tuesday
    May 9
    2023

    Rapid-LCA: A Reliable Approach to Environmental Impact Assessment

    Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is currently the most rigorous approach to environmental impact analysis and the go-to methodology for the most advanced investors and motivated companies. The process of an LCA is so widely trusted because of its consistency, reliability, and independent verification. But for cleantech companies, LCA is not always accessible. The rigorous process can take anywhere from three to 18 months until it is fully completed, a time horizon that lean companies and opportunistic investors cannot afford. Boundless has solved this problem by perfecting a “rapid-LCA” methodology. Our process is aligned with ISO 14040 and 14044 but takes much less time and money to accomplish. Tune in on May 9th from 2-3 PM ET to learn how we do it, and how our methodology helps companies and investors find success.

    Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

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    Webinar
  • HKEX Connect Hall 1/F, One and Two Exchange Square Central Hong Kong, HKI Hong Kong - 1 Day
    Tuesday
    May 9
    2023

    Navigating the Future of Impact Investing in Asia

    This conference will bring together leading experts to explore the key trends and challenges shaping the future of impact investing in Asia.

    Navigating the Future of Impact Investing in Asia

    Impact investing refers to investments made into companies, organizations, and funds with the intention to generate a measurable, beneficial social or environmental impact alongside a financial return. The GIIN’s recent market sizing report estimates the size of the worldwide impact investing market to be USD 1.164 trillion.

    The impact investing landscape in Asia is rapidly evolving, with new technologies, shifting regulations and growing investor demand driving big transitions in the field. Co-hosted by the Global Impact Investing Initiative (GIIN) and the Financial Services Development Council (FSDC), this conference will bring together leading experts to explore the key trends and challenges shaping the future of impact investing in Asia, and to share state-of-the-art solutions for navigating this dynamic environment.

    Topics to be covered:

    • State of the impact investing industry (globally and in Asia)
    • Promising climate solutions
    • Progress on financial inclusion
    • Next generation of leaders and impact investors

    We welcome participation from senior executives of institutional asset owners, institutional asset managers, family offices, private wealth managers, corporate impact investors and other C-suite stakeholders interested in the future of impact investing in Asia.

    *The conference (2:00 – 6:00 p.m.) will be followed by networking drinks from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

    Time: 2:00 – 7:00 PM HKT / 2:00 – 7:00 AM ET

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