Personalized training, provided by world leading experts, in the most updated concepts and methodologies of development economics

PEP schools are intensive training programs provided on updated techniques and tools for the analysis of poverty and economic policy, to help researchers contribute to the design of effective national growth and poverty reduction strategies.

These programs are organized by the PEP Network in partnership with host institutions around the world, mostly in Southern countries. They include both distance learning components and live intensive training workshops (see Delivery Mode below). The scientific expertise and training is provided by PEP resource persons from the region and abroad.

Different courses are offered in the varied methodologies and techniques applied in PEP research*:

• poverty measurement and analysis;
• modelling the impacts of macroeconomic policies and shocks;
• community-based monitoring systems;
• impact evaluations

See our new PEP School brochure for detailed information on the different PEP School programs and delivery mode.

*Find more information on the courses' content and past training sessions carried on in each of the related programs through the corresponding items in the left menu.

New PEP Schools, 2011-2012

New edition of PEP school in Canada

PEP is proud to introduce a brand new edition of the PEP School, offered in collaboration with Université Laval, in Quebec City (Canada). The 2011 edition was held from May 28 to June 12, and the next edition will be held from June 9 to 23, 2012.  Find more information here.

PEP schools in Africa

  New editions of the PEP school on “Modelling the Micro Impacts of Macroeconomic Policies and Shocks” have taken place in Africa in 2011. A French edition was held in Cameroon, from August 22 to November 4, 2011.  The next edition in English is expected to be held, once again, in South Africa, in 2012 (details are forthcoming). See information on past editions here.  

Also, in collaboration with UNDP, PEP has provided special training programs to “strengthen capacities for Poverty and Social Impact Analysis (PSIA)” in sub-Saharan Africa this year. The PEP-UNDP initiative builds on the ongoing work of the Network in developing PEP schools and follows from a preliminary experience in Namibia in 2008. This program is envisaged to evolve into a more permanent resource for countries to draw on in designated research and training facilities.  

Finally, in collaboration with the GREAT Institute in Mali, a special training program in impact evaluations has been provided to local researchers in Bamako, October 15-18 2011, in the context of the PEP-CEDLAS-UNICEF initiative (supported by the Gates Foundation) to evaluate the impact of a new sanitation program in rural Mali.

PEP schools in Latin America

A new edition of PEP Schools in "Modelling the Impacts of Macroeconomic Policies and Shocks" will be held in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 2012. The School is organized in collaboration with el Centro de Investigaciones Economicas (CINVE). Find more information here.

PEP schools in Asia

From 2012, PEP Schools shall also be provided in Asia, with a first edition of the Poverty Measurement and Analysis program to be held from February 20 to 24, 2012, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Center for Poverty Analysis (CEPA). Find more information here.

Delivery Mode

PEP School training usually follows two complementary criteria: preliminary distance training and on-site training workshops.

Distance training: This is generally carried out over a three month period. Readings and exercises are provided to participants as an introduction. Participants can rely on technical support whenever needed.

Training workshop: The training workshop brings together participants and resource persons in the same location, generally for a period of 7 to 10 days. Lectures, hands-on exercises and group assignments are important components of the delivery mode.