Harvard Kennedy School
The Growth Lab's "Development Talks" is a series of conversations with policymakers and academics working on economic growth and development in countries, regions, states and cities in the US and around the world. The seminar provides a platform for practitioners and researchers to discuss both economic growth and development and analytical work centered on policy. […]
The Growth Lab's "Development Talks" is a series of conversations with policymakers and academics working on economic growth and development in countries, regions, states and cities in the US and around the world. The seminar provides a platform for practitioners and researchers to discuss both economic growth and development and analytical work centered on policy. […]
As artificial intelligence capabilities advance rapidly, they are beginning to reshape patterns of economic development, productivity growth, and labor markets around the world. The emergence of open-source AI is transforming how these technologies diffuse across economies and who can access them. These shifts raise fundamental questions about which sectors and regions will benefit most and […]
Osmel Manzano, Adjunct Professor at Georgetown's Walsh School of Foreign Service, will discuss the key challenges and opportunities for effective natural resource management in Latin America, and its implications for economic development and productive diversification.
In this Development Talk, Bill Dobbs will share a front‑row view of how public policy, governance, and engineering intersect in real‑world settings. He will offer Insights into how large public works succeed—or fail—depending on governance, institutions, and the quality of decision‑making and practical advice to future policy makers on infrastructure project management. Speaker: Bill Dobbs, Former Civil […]
This talk explores housing vacancy as a source of insight into how cities can unlock new growth opportunities. Using Baltimore as a case study, it highlights how strengthening institutional coordination, capital access, and prevention capacity can shape more resilient development trajectories. The talk connects place-based innovation to Growth Lab frameworks on capabilities, complexity, and structural […]
The energy sector stands at an inflection point. After 15 years of remarkable change, the convergence of surging electricity demand, climate pressures, and emerging industries promises even more rapid transformation. This presentation and discussion draws on Garrett's experience at the Department of Energy and Waypoint Strategy Group to explore the path from research to commercialization, […]
Despite significant political volatility and external shocks Peru has been able to maintain remarkable macroeconomic stability. At the same time, enormous deficiencies remain regarding access to basic services, inclusion, and social and political development. What explains the discordance between Peru’s macroeconomic success and the country’s failure in terms of development? What might an inclusive growth […]
After a decade of stagnation, Ecuador finds itself at a critical yet promising moment to revitalize its economy. With its recent return to international markets and progress in strategic trade negotiations — such as those with the United States — the country has the opportunity to launch a new stage of economic and productive development. […]
What does entrepreneurship really mean, and why does it matter? America has a unique entrepreneurial edge. Its innovation engine, shaped by culture, markets, and policy has powered some of the world’s most transformative Ideas. What makes it different, and why does it continue to matter today? Join us for a conversation with Howard Wolk (MC/MPA […]
Rio de Janeiro’s historic center tells a story familiar to many cities across Latin America and the developing world: decades of outward expansion have hollowed out urban cores, leaving behind degraded buildings, strained public services, and neighborhoods that once defined the city’s civic life. Washington Fajardo has spent over a decade designing urban revitalization policies […]
Holly Krambeck, Program Manager for the World Bank Data Lab and founder of the Development Data Partnership, will present the Global AI Adoption Index, a new joint initiative bringing together the World Bank, IMF, OECD and leading AI companies including Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and OpenRouter.