MAS hosts an International Academic Symposium on the Priorities for Palestine’s Economy in the Midst of War
Ramallah, Nov 5, 2024: The Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS) is in full swing preparing to host the international scientific symposium on “Palestine’s Economic Priorities in the Midst of War”. Prominent international economists along with specialized Palestinian researchers and experts will contribute and participate either virtually or in person, which marks an academic gesture of solidarity with Palestine at this critical stage.
This symposium is organized against the backdrop of the destruction war waged against the Palestinian people, in commemoration of 30 years of MAS’s contribution to Palestinian development policy, and in lieu of the Yusif Sayigh Development Lecture (YSDL) held annually. It aims to raise awareness and expand global academic engagement with Palestine. In its debate sessions, MAS researchers will present the findings of six working papers examining Palestinian realities, prospects, global experiences, and the available options in the short and medium terms to address the structural social and economic weaknesses and build on the potential for growth.
Each session will be moderated by a member of the Institute’s Board of Trustees, while the working papers will be commented on by senior professors of economics from international universities who have previously delivered the YSDL, including Prof. Mushtaq Khan -University of London, Prof. Jayati Ghosh -Amherst University, Prof Jomo Kwame Sundaram -Malaysia, Prof. Mariana Mazzucato -University College London, Prof. Henner Flasbeck -University of Hamburg, and Prof. Jeffrey Sachs -Columbia University.
The first session will discuss the “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 Director General of the Institute, Mr. Raja Khalidi stated that “holding this symposium aligns with the Institute’s mission of contributing to Palestinian development policy. This is particularly important given the current circumstances created by the unprecedented genocidal war against the Palestinian people”. He added that there is an urgent need for Palestinians to formulate radical, transformative economic and social policies that are consistent with best planning practices. This will help develop a realistic strategy to enable the battered economy to recover from its current state of destruction and subsistence.
