Initiative for Policy Dialogue

The Committee highlights how inequality, particularly in the extremes, has many negative economic, political and societal outcomes, each interacting with the other in ways that exacerbate the adverse effects. High wealth inequality in particular undermines both democracy and economic progress. Recent events since 2020, including COVID-19, the Ukraine war and new tariffs and trade disputes since the beginning of 2025 are creating a ‘perfect storm’ which is further increasing poverty and inequality. One in four people worldwide now regularly skip meals, whilst billionaire wealth has now hit the highest level in history. The Report highlights how different policies could help to reduce inequality at the national and international levels, and notes the role that the G20 can play in facilitating global coordination. 

Explore Further >> about Landmark G20 Report Led by Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz Sounds Alarm on ‘Inequality Emergency’ and Calls for International Panel on Inequality.

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Industrial policy is back on mainstream policy agendas in the U.S., Europe, and many developing countries, but the knowledge base to guide industrial policy remains underdeveloped. This conference on “New Thinking in Industrial Policy: Perspectives<a class="moretag" href="https://ipdcolumbia.org/"> Read more…</a>

Explore Further >> about New Thinking in Industrial Policy: Perspectives from Developed and Developing Countries

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Initiative for Policy Dialogue (IPD) celebrated its 25th anniversary with a two-day conference on September 12–13, 2025, hosted at Columbia University. The reflected on the past 25 years while critically examining the role of think<a class="moretag" href="https://ipdcolumbia.org/"> Read more…</a>

Explore Further >> about 25 Years of IPD: The End of Neoliberalism and The Transition Towards a Green and Digital Economy

On June 20, 2025 the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS) and Columbia University’s Initiative for Policy Dialogue (IPD) published a report by a commission of global experts calling for urgent action and systemic reforms to tackle the escalating debt and development crises.

Explore Further >> about The Jubilee Report: A Blueprint for Tackling the Debt and Development Crises and Creating the Financial Foundations for a Sustainable People-Centered Global Economy

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Submission Deadline: September 22, 2025, 11:59 pm EDT

Explore Further >> about Call for Papers: The Role of SDRs for Global Stability and Sustainable Economic Transformation, Columbia University, December 5, 2025

A new African Union-backed service aims to challenge the 'big three'.

Explore Further >> about Rating the rating agenices in Africa

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The conventional perspective that a debt crisis occurs only when a country defaults is deeply flawed. In reality, numerous nations are experiencing economic stagnation due to unsustainable debt burdens, even without formal default. According to UNCTAD, more than three billion people live in countries where debt servicing surpasses spending on essential sectors such as education and healthcare.

Explore Further >> about Tackling the Debt and Development Crises in Jubilee Year 2025

The email arrived in early February from the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, carrying a blunt message. It informed the organizers of a Danish lecture series — one I was soon scheduled to speak at — that the final portion of American funding would be released only after they signed a statement essentially saying they were in compliance with a U.S. executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion.

Explore Further >> about My Brush With Trump’s Thought Police