Third Knowledge for Development Center Lecture Series: Inequality: Does It Matter?

The Knowledge for Development Center, a joint partnership between the AUA Papazian Library and World Bank in Armenia, held its third lecture series on June 2, 2011, at PAB Manoogian Hall. The presentation titled “Inequality: Does It Matter?” was given by World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus Countries, Dr. Asad Alam, who discussed the various dimensions of inequality as well as issues of measurement. Dr. Alam also presented global trends and recent developments in Armenia, and analyzed the role of public policy. He addressed how public policy can help maximize the impact of growth on poverty reduction and inequality. According to Dr. Alam, Public Policy should focus on: accelerating shared growth and job creation; improving public service delivery; strengthening social protection; and enhancing the monitoring of progress in poverty reduction. Dr. Alam’s conclusion was that rapid economic growth is fundamentally important for job creation and, consequently, reducing poverty. The lecture was open to the public and was given in English with simultaneous translation into Armenian.