Former World Bank Senior Director to speak on the Future of Globalisation at LKI

July 30, 2019    Reading Time: 2 minutes

Reading Time: 2 min read

Dr. Shanta Devarajan will address a Foreign Policy Round Table entitled ‘Has Globalisation Gone Too Far—or Not Far Enough?’ at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI), on Tuesday, 6 August 2019 from 4:30-6:00 pm.

Dr. Devarajan is one of Sri Lanka’s most eminent economists, and is currently Professor of Practice at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service in Washington DC. He recently retired as Senior Director for Development Economics at the World Bank, where he also served as Chief Economist, covering a number of regions, including the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to joining the World Bank, Dr. Devarajan was on the faculty of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and has contributed and authored over 100 publications. Born in Sri Lanka, he holds a BA in Mathematics from Princeton University and a PhD in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.

This LKI roundtable will explore the debates around the impact of globalisation and the implications for countries like Sri Lanka. Globalisation has transformed the global economy since the end of the Second World War. It has been credited with accelerating global growth and raising living standards through a combination of trade, capital, and labour market liberalisation. However, it is now increasingly facing backlash in both the developed and developing world. The speed and scale of globalisation has been blamed for the stagnation in real incomes and growing inequality. This has emboldened populist politicians and put trade protectionism back on the global agenda. As Sri Lanka continues to build stronger links with the global economy, it faces the challenge of maximising the benefits of globalisation, while also trying to minimise the potential costs. This requires a more nuanced understanding of the impact of globalisation around the world and how it can be managed for the benefit of all.

This event is a rare opportunity to hear Dr. Devarajan speak in Sri Lanka, and will convene members of the government, policymakers, business leaders, diplomats, and scholars. It will also feature a discussion moderated by Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, Executive Director of LKI.

LKI is a think tank which analyses Sri Lanka’s international relations and strategic interests, chaired by the Hon. Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka. It reflects the vision of the late Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar by promoting the country’s intellectual profile in foreign policy research and engagement.

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Attendance is by invitation and prior registration. To register your interest, please email programmes@lki.lk with your name and organisational affiliation.