Priorities for Palestine's Economy in the Midst of War
International Academic Symposium
Priorities for Palestine's Economy in the Midst of War
Commemorating 30 years of MAS’s contribution to Palestinian socio-economic policy, and in lieu of the Yusif Sayigh Development Lecture (YSDL) held annually, MAS is hosting an international academic symposium on the 4th of Dec 2024 to raise awareness about Palestinian economic and social issues and needs and expand global scholarly engagement with Palestine.
This Symposium manifests the Institute’s role in contributing to Palestinian development policy and in international academic networking, becoming especially urgent against the backdrop of the destructive war waged against the Palestinian people since 2023 with no let-up in sight. The necessity of this discussion arises from the unprecedented circumstances created by the recent war, the continued denial of the Palestinian right to self-determination and sovereignty, and the need for radical, transformative economic and social policies that are consistent with best planning practices in conflict. Ultimately, this will enhance the process of developing a realistic strategy for enabling the battered economy to recover from the crisis and save the prospects for Palestinian national independence.
This symposium will discuss six topics in three two-hour sessions, in which MAS researchers will present brief working papers drawn from global experiences and the Palestinian reality while examining short and medium-term options to address the structural social and economic weakness and build on the potential for growth. Scholars from universities around the world will contribute their reflections on the topics, in an interactive dialogue moderated by members of MAS Board of Trustees.
The first session will discuss “Political Scenarios and Development Strategies for a War-Torn Economy”, while the second session will address two main topics related to “the Immediate Challenges in the Wake of Destruction and Volatility”; the first is “Agriculture, Food Security, and Basic Income - Keys to Relief and Recovery”, and the second is “Financial Inclusion and Exclusion – Managing Banking and Money under Occupation”. The third session will discuss “Opportunities for Sustainable Development in the Medium-Term” through three pillars; the first is related to the topic of “Innovation and Industrial Policy – Harnessing the Knowledge Economy”, while the second discusses “Social Protection Systems to Combat Mass Poverty and Fragility” and the final is about “Investing in Green Infrastructure and Climate Change Adaption”.
The symposium will bring together a group of internationally renowned economists, along with Palestinian researchers, experts, and policymakers, for a focused dialogue on the current and urgent challenges facing the Palestinian economy.
