Lecture Series
The first Foundation Lecture of the Institute was delivered by the Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Senon December 19, 2006 in New Delhi. On this occasion a Journal called Indian Journal of Human Development?, published by IHD was also released by Professor Sen. Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Dy. Chairman, Planning Commission presided over the event.
The Institute has been holding lectures and talks by eminent scholars from different part of the world under its Foundation Lecture and Distinguished Lecture series.
IHD Foundation Lectures.
- The first Foundation Lecture of the Institute was delivered by the Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Sen on December 19, 2006 in New Delhi. On this occasion a Journal called Indian Journal of Human Development?, published by IHD was also released by Professor Sen. Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Dy. Chairman, Planning Commission presided over the event. View PDF
- Professor Martha Nussbaum, University of Chicago on 17 December 2008. She spoke on ?Nationalism and Development: Can There Be a Decent Patriotism??
- Lord Nicholas Stern, IG Patel Professor of Economics at London School of Economics (LSE) and Director, India Observatory at Asia Research Centre. He spoke on ? A Village and the Continent: Economic and Social Change in Palanpur and India? on 6 November 2009
- Prof. Kaushik Basu, Chief Economist, World Bank will be delivering the IHD Foundation Lecture on the topic “The Social and Political Foundations of Economic Development: The Indian Context” on December 15, 2012.
Distinguished Lecture Series
- Professor Kaushik Basu, C. Marks Professor of International Studies and Professor of Economics, Cornell University, on February 24, 2006 at India International Centre. The topic of his lecture was Identity, Caste and Economic Well-being: Could Free Markets Cause Caste Disadvantages to Disappear?
- Dr. Gerry Rodgers, Director, International Institute for Labour Studies, ILO, Geneva delivered the 2nd Lecture in the series on ?Decent Work, Social Inclusion and Development? on August 18, 2006
- Professor E. Wayne Nafziger, Kansas State University, USA on ?Economic Development, Inequality and War? on November 7, 2007
- Dr. Gilbert Etienne, Emeritus Professor of Development Economics at the Institute of International Studies, University of Geneva. He spoke on ?Agricultural Prospects in Asia after the Green Revolution?, on 10 November 2008
- Dr. Guy Standing, Professor of Economic Security at the University of Bath, U.K., 18 November, 2010. He gave a lecture based on the main theme of his new book ?Work after Globalisation ? Building Occupational Citizenship? on 18 November 2009
- Professor Julian Le Grand, Richard Titmuss Professor of Social Policy, at London School of Economics on ‘How to Run a Public Service: Trust, Mistrust, Voice or Choice? on 18 December, 2009
- Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Chief Economist and Director, MPDD, UN-ESCAP spoke on ?Poverty Reduction and Achieving Millennium Development Goals: Lessons from Asia-Pacific Experiences? on 18th June 2010
- Dr. Joel Andreas, Department of Sociology, Johns Hopkins University, USA on 14 January, 2011 on ?The Erosion of Participatory Paternalism in Chinese Factories?
- Prof. Thomas Pogge, Leitner Professor of Philosophy and International Affairs, Yale University, Spoke on ‘Severe Poverty, Human Rights and Institutional Design’ on 24 July, 2012, New Delhi
- Professor Jorg Imberger, Professor of Environmental Engineering, Centre for Water Research University of Western Australia. Lecture and Panel Discussion ‘Planning for the Future: Implications for the Way We Live’ on 26 July, 2012, New Delhi
2020
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IHD-ISLE Web Lecture on “The Ethical and Economic Case For Basic Income In A Time of Pandemics”
Date: 7 August 2020; Zoom Platform
The Institute for Human Development (IHD) hosted a web panel featuring Professor Guy Standing, Professorial Research Associate at SOAS, University of London, Co-founder and Co-President of the Basic Income Earth Network, and former Director of ILO’s Socio-Economic Security Programme. The panel was moderated by Ms. Renana Jhabvala, Chairperson of SEWA Bharat.
Web Panel Abstract: The panel explored the concept of a basic income system, where all individuals receive a regular, unconditional cash payment as an economic right. Professor Standing examined the ethical justifications for a quasi-universal basic income, addressing common objections and arguing that, in an era of economic shocks and pandemics exacerbated by rentier capitalism, such a system is both a policy imperative and a feasible base for a new income distribution system. The discussion included insights from basic income pilots in India and Africa and called for a more constructive dialogue on the topic in India.
Click to view: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bXwk_MaDZq4
IHD-ISLE Web Lecture on “The Pandemic and The Changing Structure of The World Economy: India's Big Opportunity and Big Risk”
Date: 27 July 2020; Zoom Platform
The Institute for Human Development (IHD) hosted a web panel featuring Prof. Kaushik Basu, C Marks Professor at Cornell University and former Chief Economist at The World Bank. The panel was moderated by Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.
Web Panel Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic is driving significant, long-term structural shifts in the global economy, creating new winners and losers among nations and businesses. Prof. Basu discussed how current data and evidence can offer insights into the future economic landscape, evaluating which economies are likely to thrive or struggle. Despite India’s strong fundamentals, recent performance has been disappointing, with a notable decline in global rankings. The lecture explored India’s potential risks and opportunities in the post-pandemic world, emphasizing the need for political and economic policy changes to leverage India’s strengths and improve its global position.
Click to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4xlCAjWRfY
Web Lecture on “Impact of Covid-19 Lockdown on The Informal Economy”
Date: 26 May 2020
Speaker: Professor Jeemol Unni, Professor of Economics, Amrut Mody School of Management, Ahmedabad University
Moderator: Professor Indira Hirway, Director & Professor of Economics, Centre for Development Alternatives (CFDA), Ahmedabad
Webinar Abstract: This webinar explored the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on specific segments of the informal economy and informal workers in India. Professor Jeemol Unni provided an analysis of the size and challenges faced by different informal economy segments, including construction workers, street vendors, domestic workers, and micro enterprises. The discussion covered the government’s stimulus measures and their effectiveness in supporting these workers as they attempt to rebuild their livelihoods post-lockdown.
Click to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUAaFYaqO44
Web Lecture on “Lives and Livelihoods in Pandemic Times”
Date: 11 May 2020
Speaker: Professor Deepak Nayyar, President, ISLE; Emeritus Professor, JNU & Former Vice Chancellor, Delhi University
Moderator: Professor Alakh N. Sharma, Director, Institute for Human Development (IHD)
Webinar Abstract: This webinar analyzed the COVID-19 pandemic’s implications for lives, livelihoods, and the economy in India. Professor Deepak Nayyar discussed three key points: the relatively lower morbidity and mortality rates in India compared to global figures, the need for the government to balance saving lives and preserving livelihoods without creating a false dilemma, and the severe economic impact of the prolonged lockdown, which has disproportionately affected the poor. The lecture concluded with a brief reflection on potential strategies for moving forward.
Click to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLTQryXu23E
Web Lecture on “Migrant Labour in The Shadow of The Pandemic”
Date: 2 May 2020
Speaker: Professor Ravi Srivastava, Director, Centre for Employment Studies, IHD Moderator: Professor Deepak Nayyar, President, ISLE; Emeritus Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Former Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi
Webinar Abstract: The lecture had three major objectives. It clears myths about the nature of labour migration in India and presents broad estimates of such migrants by type. It then discusses the impact of the pandemic containment strategy (lock-down) on different categories of labour 70 migrants and immediate policy imperatives. Finally, it discusses the medium and long-term policies in relation to labour migration and informal employment in India. About the Speaker: Professor Ravi Srivastava is a former Professor of Economics, Centre for the Study of Regional Development, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is currently Director, Centre of Employment Studies, Institute of Human Development, Delhi. He is a leading researcher on labour migration, employment, and the informal economy, and was a full-time member of the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector, Government of India.
Click to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y5MOaqN9SY
2019
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Special Lecture on Economic Development in Asia
Date: 6th December 2019
Chairperson: Professor Ravi Srivastava, IHD Delhi
Speakers and Presenters: Prof. Deepak Nayyar, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU); former Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi and President, Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE) Organised during 61st Annual ISLE Conference.
2015
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IHD’s 2nd Decennial Lecture on “Future of Work” by Ms. Sandra Polaski, Deputy Director‐General (Policy), New Delhi
Organiser/s: In collaboration with International Labour Organisation, DWT, New Delhi and Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India
Date: 07th October 2015, New Delhi, India
IHD conducted a year‐long programme to celebrate the 20th year of its establishment from October 2015 onwards. Apart from several lectures and events, IHD organised the Decennial Lecture Series. The event invited many well‐known academicians and professionals from all over the world to deliver public lectures. The lecture by Ms Sandra Polaski was the first in this series.
Ms. Sandra Polaski, Deputy Director‐General (Policy), International Labour Organisation (ILO), delivered a lecture on ‘The Future of Work’ at IHD’s 2nd Decennial Lecture Series, organised by IHD in collaboration with Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India and ILO Decent Work Team for South Asia and Country Office for India.
Stressing upon a ‘job centric development agenda’, Ms. Polaski, in her speech, provided a global perspective on the challenges faced by the ‘future of work’ in general, and India, in particular. She highlighted the current scenario on employment trends and challenges faced in meeting the standards of work in the context of increasingly globalised production and trade networks. In her lecture, she urged the policy makers to adapt to the changing reality in the wake of rapidly changing work conditions and shift towards formality in employment in the context of technological innovations and global restructuring of production and trade strategies.
Mr Shankar Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, gave the concluding address at the event. Other attendees at the lecture include Prof. T. C. A. Anant, Secretary and Chief Statistician of India, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India and Professor Gita Sen, Centre for Public Policy, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore, who offered their comments on Ms Polaski’s lecture.