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
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 17th 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;
Top-down modernization: opportunities and limits in modern world;
Values, trust and cooperation.
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
Evgeny Yasin
Chair of the Conference’s Programme Committee, Academic Supervisor, HSE