PEP conferences are international events that gather development researchers, practitioners, leading experts and policy stakeholders from around the world, to discuss issues, challenges and opportunities related to economic policy analysis and advisory work.
After four years of online annual conferences, PEP is delighted to host our researchers, partners and collaborators for an in-person event in Nairobi, Kenya. This year’s event will feature a public Policy Conference on June 5, as well as peer-review and training sessions for PEP researchers.
This year's conference is organized as part of seven programs:
PEP meetings represent a unique opportunity in terms of peer-review and international networking experience for all participants, especially researchers from low-income countries.
Representatives of 26 research teams from 16 countries will present their research results and project outcomes for discussion with peers and international experts.
All attending researchers will also benefit from a one-day workshop to review best practices in research communications. In this workshop the participants will discuss strategies and explore tools to help them disseminate their findings effectively in their home countries.
Policy Conference | June 5
The Future of Work in the Global South
PEP conferences feature a one-day Policy Conference to present and discuss the policy implications of PEP research. These events are thematically focused on current or emerging development policy issues.
This year’s Policy Conference on the future of work will explore two distinct themes during the morning and afternoon sessions:
Providing an opportunity for international academic and governmental participants to debate the issues at hand, these conferences help bridge the gap between research and policy to address poverty issues and promote development.
For wider impact after the conference, we will publish the main lessons and recommendations drawn from these dialogues.
What Works for Youth Employment in Africa:
Identifying specific actions to improve the lives of young women and men in 10 African countries
By 2030, the number of young people in the African labour force will increase to 375 million. More young Africans will be entering the workforce each year than in the rest of the world combined (IMF). Yet, there is a significant gap between the number of young people seeking work and the limited opportunities available to them. Without action, many young people will face challenges finding employment to improve their livelihoods.
The Partnership for Economic Partnership (PEP), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, aims to help address this challenge through the What Works for Youth Employment in Africa initiative. Teams of local PEP researchers in 10 African countries are analyzing how policy reforms can increase youth employment, including among women and marginalized groups.
As part of its 2024 Annual Conference activities, PEP will host a dialogue on how the findings from these youth employment policy reviews can inform policymaking going forward.
A diverse panel—bringing together practitioners, stakeholders and researchers—will lead an interactive discussion to identify how they can drive changes to improve the lives of young women and men. The panellists will share their insights and experiences, looking at which youth employment policies and programs are working, the context-specific issues emerging from the PEP research, and what is needed to overcome these barriers. Participants will collectively think through policy solutions that can help realize the Mastercard Foundation’s ambitious goal of enabling thirty million young Africans, particularly young women, to secure dignified and fulfilling work by 2030, as part of its Young Africa Works strategy.
The 10 countries studied are Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Niger, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Uganda, and South Africa.
Session Program
9:00 – Welcome and Introduction to Young Africa Works Strategy
12:00 – Closing remarks by Ingrid Woolard, Board Member, PEP
12:30 – Lunch
From 2 p.m. EAT
The AI Revolution and Labour Markets in Developing Countries:
Towards a Southern-Driven Research Agenda
As the development and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates, it is reshaping the global labour markets and the world economy in ways we do not yet fully understand. AI-based tools are creating new opportunities to boost productivity in areas ranging from agriculture to healthcare. However, the use of AI also brings challenges such as worker displacement and increased inequality.
Understanding the possible directions and impacts of the revolution we are witnessing is crucial. Research on the impacts of AI is a relatively new field and the agenda is being driven by Northern analysts, with a focus on the issues arising in wealthy economies.
Southern-specific issues include how the digital divide and scarcity of AI-skilled workers limit opportunities for the Global South to benefit from AI solutions. Meanwhile the flourishing area of services exports and offshoring (such as for call centres) in lower-income countries may be suddenly stunted by AI customer service tools.
As workers look to policymakers to manage AI’s impact on labour and inequality, locally produced evidence is vital for informing these decisions. At the same time, this technology represents a genuine opportunity for growth in low-income economies, but success will require Southern-based analyses and policy initiatives.
Discussing opportunities, challenges and strategies at the PEP conference
As a long-standing champion of locally-led research across the Global South, PEP will host an interactive public discussion on the opportunities, challenges, and policy implications of AI for developing countries. This event will bring together international experts to share their views and experiences, bringing Southern perspectives to the global conversation on AI.
Make sure to apply at least two weeks before you travel
The eTA is mandatory for all foreign visitors.
Passport holders from the following EAC countries are exempted from applying for an eTA: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Participants for activities on the 3, 4 and 6 June should register with the PEP Secretariat when you first arrive for the conference activities: Meeting Room 3 on the 2nd floor.
