Upcoming Events
Conference at the Vatican: Addressing the Debt Crisis in the Global South
Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Casina Pio IV, Vatican City. Hosted by The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS) and Initiative for Policy Dialogue (IPD).
Leading academic experts, high-level policymakers, officials from multilateral institutions, and religious leaders will meet at the Vatican to discuss the problem of sovereign debt and potential reforms that would both mitigate existing debt burdens and make the recurrence of another global debt crisis less likely. Sessions will provide participants an opportunity to discuss the debt situation in the Global South; fairness and efficiency in debt restructurings; international and domestic reforms to reduce the frequency, duration, and costs of sovereign debt crises.
The Vatican recently released Pope Francis’s priorities for the Church’s Jubilee Year of 2025, and they include asking the rich nations of the world to forgive debts: “Another heartfelt appeal that I would make in light of the coming Jubilee is directed to the more affluent nations. I ask that they acknowledge the gravity of so many of their past decisions and determine to forgive the debts of countries that will never be able to repay them. More than a question of generosity, this is a matter of justice.”
This conference co-hosted by IPD and PASS is part of an ongoing IPD sovereign debt program that is led by Martín Guzmán (IPD, Columbia University) and focused on increasing research and understanding of sovereign debt and advocating for policy reforms.
Past Events
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The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society April 30. London School of Economics and Political Science. Hosted by the Programme on Cohesive Capitalism. Professor Mary Kaldor (London School of Economics and Political Science) hosted Joseph E. Stiglitz (IPD, Columbia University) for a talk on the subject of his new book and what freedom really means. Stiglitz will discuss how The Road to Freedom describes how our neoliberal economic models have impacted our legal and social freedoms in surprising ways. |
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Joseph E. Stiglitz and Timothy Nolan in Conversation April 25, 2024. Sixth & I, Washington, DC. Joseph E. Stiglitz and Timothy Nolan (The New Republic) discussed Stiglitz’s new book, The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society. In the book, Stiglitz draws on the work of contemporary philosophers to explain a deeper, more human way to assess freedoms. |
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Martín Guzmán and Congressman Chuy García Met to Discuss Sovereign Debt Legislation April 22, 2024. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. |
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Martín Guzmán had the opportunity to meet with Congressman Chuy García of Illinois. They discussed Congressman Garcia and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty’s recently introduced Stop Onerous Surcharges Act, which would direct U.S. representatives at the IMF to support a review of the IMF’s surcharge policy and a pause in the policy for the duration of the review. |
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Economic Development in Latin America: From Theory to Practice April 19, 2024. Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Hosted by the Center for Latin American Studies at Georgetown University. |
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Martín Guzmán joined Professor Monica De Bolle (Center for Latin American Studies, Georgetown) in a conversation about the intricacies of crafting macroeconomic policies. The discussion focused on how to integrate academic economic theories and real-world economic and political challenges. It included reflections on Brazil and Argentina’s industrial and development policies. |
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Designing a Climate-Oriented Financial Strategy April 18, 2024. Washington, D.C. Hosted by Rockefeller Foundation and organized by the Finance for Development Lab (FDL) and the Coalition for Capacity on Climate Action (C3A). |
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Ministries of finance stand at the forefront of numerous crises, including unprecedented shocks to the global economic system and the challenges of climate change. During the IMF Spring Meetings, FDL and C34 hosted the workshop, “Climate vulnerability, debt sustainability assessment and innovative instruments: how to design a climate-oriented financing strategy?” During a panel session, “Financial strategies for managing public debt when climate is changing,” Imad Bosal (Finance Secretary, Ministry of Finance Pakistan), Simone Cueva (former Minister of Finance of Ecuador, FDL), Ali Mohammed (Special Climate Envoy of the President of Kenya), and Martín Guzmán engaged in a conversation moderated by Maia Colodenco (Suramericana Visión). |
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The Path Toward a Progressive Global Taxation Agenda April 17, 2024. IMF Headquarters, Washington, D.C. Hosted by the Independent Commission for Reform of International Corporate Taxation (ICRICT). |
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Extreme wealth concentration is undermining growth and democracy across the world. A coordinated tax agenda could bring new revenues for public goods and climate financing. In light of growing international consensus concerning the benefits of taxing the wealthiest, ICRICT hosted a panel moderated by journalist Andrea Shalal (Reuters). Panelists Esther Duflo (President, Paris School of Economics), Guilherme Mello (Secretary, Political Economy, Ministry of Finance, Brazil), Sanjay Malhotra (Revenue Secretary, Ministry of Finance, India), Gabriel Zucman (Director, EU Tax Observatory, and ICRICT Commissioner) and Katherine Baer (Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF). In the first part of the discussion, Esther Duflo and Joseph E. Stiglitz, both Nobel Laureates, discussed the benefits of a global agenda for wealth taxation. During the second half, the full panel engaged in a discussion about how a global tax agenda might extend beyond corporate taxation at the G20, and how that might encourage countries to adopt domestic policies to tax wealth. |
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Roundtable Discussion on the IMF’s Basic Rate of Charge and Surcharge Policies April 17, 2024. IMF Headquarters, Washington, D.C. Hosted by IPD and the Institute of Global Politics (IGP). |
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Alongside the IMF Spring Meetings, IPD and IGP hosted a roundtable discussion about a series of specific reform proposals for the IMF’s lending rate and surcharge policies. Given the global context of shocks to the economic system including climate change and the war in Ukraine, there is growing momentum from the international community to discuss revisions to IMF policy to ensure its lending and surcharge policies align with its core mission. Joseph E. Stiglitz and Martín Guzmán led a productive conversation between experts including finance ministers, IMF officials, academics, and civic advocates. The discussion focused on potential reforms including capping the basic IMF rate, eliminating or capping surcharge rates, and aligning the current threshold of exceptional access with the threshold for the application of level-based surcharges. |
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Launch of UNESCO Report on Press Freedom and Democracy April 17, 2024. The National Press Club, Washington, D.C. Hosted by the National Press Club. |
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Joseph E. Stiglitz, Anya Schiffrin (Columbia University, SIPA), and Dylan Groves (Lafayette College) co-authored a report for UNESCO that analyzes the recent trends in academic research on the effects of journalism on democratic society, economic development, and public accountability. At the National Press Club, Joseph E. Stiglitz presented remarks on the findings of the study, which underscores that journalism serves a crucial role in society by educating the public, fighting corruption, and promoting sustainable development. Following opening remarks, Emily Wilkins (President, National Press Club), Arturo Herrera Gutierrez (Global Director for Governance Global Practice in the Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions Practice Group Vice Presidency, Governance) and Eliot Minchenberg (Director of Office and UNESCO Representative to the United Nations) participated in a panel discussion on the importance of investing in media to bolster democracy. |
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Remaking Global Economic Governance for a Post-Neoliberal World April 16, 2024. The Hay Adams Hotel, Washington, D.C. Hosted by Oxfam America and Oxfam International. |
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In response to today’s global challenges, a debate about “post neo-liberal” policy” is underway. Oxfam hosted a public panel discussion with Dr. Ndongo Samba Sylla (Africa Research and Policy Director, International Development Economics Associates), Dr. Adriana Abdenur (Special Advisor, Presidency of Brazil), and Joseph E. Stiglitz, moderated by journalist Rana Forrohar (Financial Times). The panel showcased ambitious ideas for reshaping the global architecture in ways that would address inequity and the climate crisis as well as reshape the power dynamic between the Global North and South. Participants joined in a robust conversation about what kinds of global financial institutions we need for a “post-neoliberal” era and the questions we should ask as we try to shape those institutions. This is the first in a series of international convenings Oxfam is organizing as part of its mission to address inequities between countries. The panel is available to watch here. |
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Inaugural Mary Ann Faulker Distinguished Series in Latin American Public Affairs and Politics April 12, 2024. The University of Texas at Austin. Hosted by the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies. Joseph E. Stiglitz and Martín Guzmán engaged in a dialogue moderated by Dean J.R. DeShazo and titled, “Development and Debt Challenges in Latin America and the Global South.” The talk was the inaugural event of the Mary Ann Faulkner Series, which showcases the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies as a hub of critical debate and discussion in the realm of Latin American public policy, government, and politics. The discussion is available to watch here. |
Selected Media Appearances
Recent media about IPD team members and partners.
- Martin Guzman Interviewed by Maria O’Donnel and Ernesto Tenembaum on Cenital
- Joseph Stiglitz and the Meaning of Freedom by John Cassidy for The New Yorker
- Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz: Fed rate hikes didn’t get at source of inflation on CNBC
- Reframing ‘Free’ Beyond Markets on The Brian Lehrer Show, WNYC
Recent Publications, Op-Eds and Papers
- Time is up for neoliberals: Democracy requires a new, progressive capitalism by Joseph E. Stiglitz for The Washington Post
- A billionaire’s tax is justified — and Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are inspired by more than money by Joseph E. Stiglitz for Fortune
- Freedom for the Wolves by Joseph E. Stiglitz for The Atlantic
- Journalism for development: the role of journalism promoting democracy and political accountability and sustainable development by Joseph E. Stiglitz, Anya Schiffrin and Dylan W. Groves, UNESCO Case Study
- Quality Journalism Is More Important than Ever by Joseph E. Stiglitz for Project Syndicate
The Journal of Globalization and Development (JGD)
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The Journal of Globalization and Development (JGD) publishes academic research and policy analysis on globalization, development, and in particular the complex interactions between them. Editors: Kevin Gallagher, Professor, Boston University Pardee School of Global Studies; Director, Boston University Global Development Policy Center and Jeronim Capaldo, Senior Economist, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); Senior Scholar, Global Development Policy Center, Boston University (BU). Managing Editor: Gabriela Plump, Director, Initiative for Policy Dialogue (IPD), Columbia University. |
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The Journal of Globalization and Development’s Special Issue on the Gendered Effects of Globalization With Guest Editors Jessica Leight, Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Bilge Erten, Associate Professor of Economics and International Affairs, Northeastern University; Co-editor, Review of Economics of the Household; Associate Editor, Feminist Economics. For more information or to submit a paper to JGD, click here. |