This high profile, two day conference in July 2016, will bring cutting-edge thinking, experience and reflection on ‘States, markets and society in a reconfigured world: Defining a new era for development’.
Development has always involved states, markets and societies interacting to define and shape progressive change. The period since IDS was founded in 1966 has seen the rise and fall of state-led, market-led and society-focused approaches, accompanied by critique and counter-critique, and shifts in development’s meanings and practices.
But today, the categories and axes of power that have been central to development appear more unsettled than ever. Intensifying global interconnections and multi-polar politics are fundamentally challenging old north-south distinctions. A growing array of political-economic, social and environmental shocks and stresses is emerging, demanding novel forms of action and response. Instead of a simple state-market-society triad, we are seeing hybrids of many kinds, in different parts of the world.
Debating the challenges and implications of a new development era
As the Institute turns 50 and development moves into a new era, we invite leading scholars, policymakers and practitioners to join us for a serious intellectual debate about these challenges and their implications. Large and critical questions will be asked, including:
- How are new interconnections and configurations of global and local power recasting the roles and relationships of states, markets and society in development?
- How in this context can a more equal, sustainable, inclusive and secure world be achieved?
- How are flows of knowledge created and mobilised in this new context – and how should development studies, and the roles and relationships of institutions such as IDS, transform?
- What has changed in the last 50 years?
- What will a new era of development look like, and how will it be realised?
Keynote speakers confirmed so far
James Ferguson
Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Stanford University and author of ‘The anti-politics machine’ and most recently ‘Give a man a fish: the politics of redistribution’ is keynote speaker during the conference at the inaugural IDS Annual Lecture on 5 July.
Sunita Narain
Director General, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Director, Society for Environmental Communications
Mariana Mazzucato
Professor of the Economics of Innovation SPRU (Science Policy Research Unit), University of Sussex, and author ‘The Entrepreneurial State: debunking public vs. private sector myths’
Professor Adebayo Olukoshi
Director, the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning
Parallel Panels
There will not be an open call for papers, but conference attendees will have the opportunity to participate in lively, interactive discussions within a series of parallel panels, plenary and open space sessions. The panels will be centred on five broad themes:
A. Inequalities and inclusion in the new era of capital
B. Finance and business – the BRICS and beyond
C. Accelerating sustainability
D. Institutions and the reinvention of democracy – from local to global
E. Citizen voice, agency and accountability
Conference programme
Download the full IDS 50th Anniversary conference programme
Register and accommodation
Register now for your place at the conference. If you are using a mobile device or cannot view the ticket options below please register directly via the Eventbrite conference page.
The conference ticket price includes lunches, refreshments, drinks reception and a three course conference dinner. Whilst we have tried to keep costs to a minimum, charging a delegate fee also means that we are able to cover the costs of speakers who would otherwise be unable to attend.
For accommodation we have compiled options on and off campus for your planned stay. Check out this website for accommodation.
Follow IDS_UK on Twitter for conference updates using #IDS_50
You can also sign up to IDS e-alerts to be kept updated on this conference and other events throughout IDS’ 50th anniversary year.
Key contacts
