The consortium of organizers is composed of The World Bank, UNU-WIDER, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and members of the now concluded Network on Jobs and Development (NJD) (a partnership of research institutes from various regions of the world) – including the Institute for Structural Research (IBS, Poland) and the Development Policy Research Unit at University of Cape Town (DPRU, South Africa) and the HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies (HKUST IEMS, Hong Kong).

 

In 2024, the conference will be hosted by J-PAL Middle East and North Africa (MENA) based at the American University in Cairo School of Business.

World Bank

     
The World Bank works in every major area of development. It provides a wide array of financial products and technical assistance, and helps countries share and apply innovative knowledge and solutions to the challenges they face. Since 1947, the World Bank has funded over 12,000 development projects, via traditional loans, interest-free credits, and grants. With 189 member countries, staff from more than 170 countries, and offices in over 130 locations, the World Bank Group is a unique global partnership: five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries.

United Nations University – World Institute for Development Economics Research

     
The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations over 30 years ago in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency – providing a range of services from policy advice to governments as well as freely available original research.

International Labour Organization (ILO)

     
The only tripartite U.N. agency, since 1919 the ILO brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 Member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men. The main aims of the ILO are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues. The unique tripartite structure of the ILO gives an equal voice to workers, employers and governments to ensure that the views of the social partners are closely reflected in labour standards and in shaping policies and programmes.

Development Policy Research Unit

     
The Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) is one of Africa's premier economic policy think tanks. The DPRU aims to inform economic policymaking through specialising in academically rigorous research encompassing the socio-economic challenges in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.  Specifically, the DPRU cognate areas range from labour market analysis, growth, poverty and inequality dynamics through to areas such as economic complexity analysis and regulation and governance. The DPRU is a university-recognized research unit located within the School of Economics at the University of Cape Town, and has been actively engaged in policy-relevant socio-economic research for over 30 years, establishing itself as one of South Africa’s leading research institutions in the field.

Institute for Structural Research

     
The Institute for Structural Research (IBS) is a not-for-profit research foundation based in Warsaw. Since its establishment in 2006, IBS has been committed to high-quality, policy-relevant research in economics and other social sciences. Our main areas of interest include labour economics, in particular comparative labour studies and labour market institutions, demography, energy economics, and applied quantitative methods. We produce both academic and applied research and pay particular attention to the societal relevance and policy implications of our work.

J-PAL Middle East and North Africa

     
J-PAL Middle East and North Africa (MENA), based at the American University in Cairo, leads J-PAL’s work in the Middle East and North Africa region. J-PAL MENA conducts randomized evaluations, builds partnerships for evidence-informed policymaking, and helps partners scale up effective programs. Our research team evaluates the impact of social programs and policies in MENA, covering a wide range of sectors including social protection, employment, education, and gender. Through online and in-person courses, we train implementers, policymakers, donors, and advocates on how to generate and use rigorous evidence. Our policy team works to institutionalize learning from evidence and disseminate research results to governments and other partners.

American University in Cairo School of Business

     
Boasting an unrivaled reputation as the top private business school in Egypt and one of the best in Africa and the Arab world, AUC School of Business is dedicated to transforming the eager and innovative minds of today to become the responsible change agents of tomorrow, all while developing relevance and leadership in an evolving ecosystem.   Situated within AUC and enjoying nearly seven decades’ worth of history, the School offers a wide range of programs and activities that extend beyond the classroom to provide a holistic and engaging experiential learning approach. The School’s seal of excellence is the Triple Crown accreditation, which places it among the top 1 percent of educational institutions worldwide to achieve the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Association of MBAs and the European Quality Improvement System accreditations.

HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies

     
HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies (IEMS) provides thought leadership on issues facing businesses and policymakers in emerging markets. Building on the research strengths of the faculty at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Institute focuses its research and activities on the themes of (1) human capital, employment, and structural change; (2) innovation and entrepreneurship; (3) global economic integration; (4) financial development; (5) strategies, firms, and markets; (6) behavioural studies, and the Belt and Road Initiative. The Institute supports world-class faculty research by providing funding, development collaboration with research partners worldwide, and disseminating evidence-based insights to the academic and public policy communities through events, publications and online channels.