The expansion of the global economy has brought not only large benefits but also major problems. Whereas the integration of China and other developing countries into the world economy has raised incomes in these countries substantially and freed millions of people from poverty, the globalization process also went along with increasing environmental problems (both at the local and the global level), and often also with increasing income differentials within countries where a substantial share of the population was excluded from participating in the overall economic expansion. As a result, concepts of sustainability and fairness have become more prominent in economic policy discussions. Criticism has also been voiced against the traditional emphasis on GDP, and approaches for wider concepts of prosperity which include also non-material components find increased attention. The conference will cover various aspects of the question “how to promote growing prosperity that is socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable” and explore their interconnectedness. 

Progamme

Ottmar Edenhofer's presentation