The 3rd Economic Policy Research Network ( EPRN) annual conference on the guiding topic to Rwandan Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy 3 (EDPRS 3) impressively attracted around 500 stakeholders this fiscal year.
The 500 policy makers, researchers, scholars, students, and other stakeholders in the field of economics convened at the Gikondo College of Business and Economics Thursday January26 to discuss macroeconomic status and future prospects of Rwandan Economy in the 3rd EPRN annual Conference.
EPRN coordinator Seth Kwizera said that they were really impressed that the work being done is relevant and gives confidence that the mission to sustainably strengthen economic policy in Rwanda is on a good way to being achieved.
The meeting attracted independent researchers availing papers for the topic “Rwandan Economy towards the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy 3 (EDPRS 3)”.
EPRN received sixteen papers and top seven were presented covering topics like, Determinants of nonmonetary poverty in Rwanda, Economic structural transformation-from agriculture and primary sector to knowledge based economy and urbanisation, the effect of foreign aid on the real exchange rate in Rwanda, Rural development policies and investment in primary education, farmers in Rwanda.
Dr. Hermann van Boemmel from the GIZ program on Macro-Economic Advice to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN says, “We are supporting EPRN as we think promoting collaboration between researchers and building their capacity is vital for the development of the country.”
The conference also intends to enhance macroeconomic research on MADE IN RWANDA products to make commensing policy decision making.
The event was organized by EPRN through IPAR with support from GIZ.
In closing Page 1 of 2 session Prof. Thomas Kigabo, chief economist at the National Bank of Rwanda and chairman of EPRN said that the 4th EPRN conference will take place in September of this year.The topic will be known in March when the call for papers will be published.
“My vision for EPRN is to build up a pool of excellent economic policy researchers that can provide Rwanda with home-grown analysis and solutions. Events like this serve to encourage people, especially young people, to pursue a career in research and to keep improving their academic skills,” Prof. Kigabo says.
EPRN started in 2008 to strengthen equal opportunity economic policy analysis and research capacities. By bringing together key institutions, individuals and organizations active with an interest in economic policy research and analysis, EPRN networks stakeholders on a pool of research skills needed for economic policy analysis.
Through trainings on quantitative research methods, research coaching mentorship, work placements, learning tours and joint research projects, EPRN helps to build capacity and create evidence for economic policy development. EPRN responds to economic policy gaps in Rwanda resultant mainly by a lack of quality informative research and challenge of human capacity.
