About

The April International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development is Russia’s leading academic forum on social and economic sciences, and has won international acclaim.

Over its 17-year history, the conference has covered significant ground. Its format has changed in response to the changing understanding of Russian economic and social modernization.

During its first few years, the conference was organized as a forum. At that time it was the only forum within Russia where experts, scientists, politicians and business people gathered to discuss pressing problems. Over time the April Conference took on its own distinct identity, differentiating it from the other, similar, events held in Russia. It is focused not only on discussing economic and social modernization within Russia, but also on academic research into and understanding of these processes.

We have moved beyond arguments over direction (although they do still take place) to examining the underlying processes, and on having an intelligent discussion about them. And this is, I feel, the main distinguishing feature of our conference. The conversation is not only held at the level of expert opinion – but from an academic perspective. Discussions are not all-encompassing, but strictly focused on current issues

Evgeny Yasin
Chair of the Conference’s Programme Committee, Academic Supervisor, HSE

One key feature of this conference is that the University hosts a dialogue between people engaged on both theoretical and practical aspects, including, the authorities, members of the business and academic communities, Russian and international experts, and their discussions revolve around academic research into current problems faced by the government and society.

What distinguishes the HSE Conference from the many other forums we see today is that it combines both academic discussion and socio-political approaches

Andrei Yakovlev
Deputy Chair of the Conference’s Programme Committee, Director of the Institute for Industrial and Market Studies, HSE

The Conference’s programme traditionally includes sections on macroeconomics, theoretical economics, banks and finance, demography and labor market, sociology, international relations and global economics. Each year, leading Russian and international academics, international prize-winners, deliver academic reports, research presentations, and guest lectures.

The April Conference’s goal is to plunge the entire world into one melting pot, giving academics from different countries the opportunity to listen to each other, share their opinions and knowledge

Fuad Alekserov
Deputy Chair of the Conference’s Programme Committee, Head of the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Economic Sciences

Members of the Russian Government, Presidential Executive Office, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, OECD, representatives of major Russian and international companies, politicians and well-known civil society activists all traditionally attend the Conference.

The April Conference offers a good opportunity to bring together researchers who have different perspectives. Its main difference from other similar events in Europe and the United States is the broad spectrum of members of government who attend. I think this is very helpful – it provides a forum where leading researchers can engage with politicians

Kaspar Richter
World Bank’s Lead Economist for Russia

In 2016, the April International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development will be held for the 17^th time. Over three days, the HSE will host plenary discussions, thematic sessions involving the presentation of academic reports and expert round tables on current issues in economic and social development.

Special topics of the conference are

Diagnostics of economic growth: comparative perspective;

The growth in emerging markets has visibly slowed down over the last few years. In particular Russia’s economic growth is decelerating starting 2013. Is this explained primarily with some intrinsic constraints or with external factors? Can the deceleration be characterized as temporary (cyclical) or structural? Are some countries caught in a ‘ Middle Income Trap’? Why are several emerging markets continuing rapid development? And finally – what recommendations could be made basing on the problems diagnoses? All these issues are definitely of top importance from both academic and applied viewpoint.

Top-down modernization: opportunities and limits in modern world;

In the second half of 20th century many East-Asian countries could catch-up in economic development following the strategy of 'modernization from above'. This strategy assumed creation of favorable conditions for development of market economy without changes in political regime and transition to democracy. Can this strategy be applied in Russia and other post-Soviet states as well as in other modern developing countries? What kind of social forces can support such policy? What factors will hinder its implementation? We plan to discuss all these questions at relevant panels and round-tables devoted to relevant special topic of HSE April conference.

Economic decentralization and local self-governance;

Values, trust and cooperation.

Economic and social performances in societies depend on social and cultural values. These values create the corresponding levels of confidence to institutions and state and cooperation among people and firms promoting efficient functioning of economies or confronting it. We invite colleagues to present papers discussing all these problems from different perspectives.

The plenary sessions, including selected honorary papers, sessions and round tables, will be devoted to (but not restricted on) the special issues of the Conference.

The plenary sessions and special round tables will feature senior Russian Government officials including representatives of the Presidential Administration, high-level representatives of the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the CEOs of several largest Russian and international companies.

Session meetings and round tables on the problems of economic and social development will be held after the plenary sessions.

The Conference Program Committee is chaired by Professor Evgeny Yasin.

Working languages of the Conference are Russian and English. Simultaneous translation will be available during all plenary and some session meetings