Pri's blog

Here as promised a gist of what I said at the 6th South Asian Economic Summit's Managing Urbanisation Inclusively   session... The background to the session seemed to suggest that being ‘inclusive’  is about the rural-urban gap, looking at ways in which the rural labourers, left out of the growth that is being generated by the cities, are able to benefit from that growth.   The result of this is a labour force which remains predominantly agricultural and rural, while a small proportion of the population – that which is urban and more highly-skilled  enjoys the benefits of growth and integration with the global economy. What I wanted to point out in this session was that growth within cities is not equal either.  If one begins to talk economics as if people mattered, then one would see that urban development is beginning to transform city space, and relationships between people living in the city, in ways  that privilege some city dwellers an...

Spent the best of three days at the 6th SouthAsian Economic Summi t hosted by IPS and held at the Cinnamon Grand this week.  Supposed to be the first certified carbon neutral conference in Sri Lanka, certified as such by the CarbonConsulting Company , and incredibly well organized by IPS, the Conference was a huge learning experience for me, as well as posing many questions and challenges. The number of ‘suited’ South Asian men and the paucity of women delegates, the overwhelmingly economistic nature of the discussions (okay, so it is a Economic Summit) that discussed the most populous region in the world in terminology that only recognized demographics,populations and human capital and not real women, men and children, all made me somewhat tongue-tied and uncomfortable.  I was constantly being challenged to recognize the carbon neutrality of the event because more often than not, the breakout rooms were freezing, so was really pleased that Selima Ahmed, Founder Presiden...