CREB opens 8th International Conference on ADE

Lahore witnessed the inauguration of the 8th International Conference on Applied Development Economics (ADE) by the Centre for Research in Economics and Business (CREB) and the Innovation and Technology Centre (ITC) at Lahore School of Economics. This collaboration with the International Growth Centre and the Consortium for Development Policy Research marked the return of the conference to an in-person format, running from August 17–19, 2026.

Spanning three days, the ADE conference convened international and local scholars to delve into a spectrum of development issues prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. Core themes encompassed shocks and educational opportunities, gender dynamics and economic outcomes, behavioral responses to conflict and crime, governance and institutional reform, labor market responses, and strategies to tackle information and climate change.

The primary objective of the conference was to present policy-relevant research aimed at fostering sustainable development, offering constructive feedback to budding researchers, and facilitating scholarly exchange and potential collaborations. During his opening remarks, Dr Shahid Chaudhry, Rector of Lahore School of Economics, emphasized that Pakistan's economic policies were heavily influenced by national development priorities.

These priorities often necessitated substantial government spending, which, while striving for growth, had inadvertently led to rising poverty.

To address these economic challenges, Pakistan has undertaken various stabilisation measures, including exchange-rate adjustments, privatization, and liberalization. These reforms have significantly reshaped the economy, presenting both obstacles and opportunities in the realm of public welfare. State-led healthcare and social protection initiatives exemplify the dual nature of these reforms—highlighting the complexities of enhancing welfare systems.

In light of these socio-economic challenges, forums such as ADE serve as vital platforms for dissecting Pakistan's economic and social dilemmas and brainstorming potential pathways toward more inclusive and sustainable development.