This flagship event coincides with the 40th anniversary of UNU-WIDER and convenes leading thinkers and policymakers from across the globe to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time: fostering sustainable development, reinforcing and financing social protection mechanisms, and reducing inequalities. The conference addresses themes through three plenary policy panel discussions and 24 parallel sessions. Discussions focus on the impact of welfare systems on economic growth, strategies for enhancing economic and social resilience in crisis settings, policies for equitable growth and strengthened social protection, and innovative funding approaches for sustainable development and social protection frameworks. These themes are integral to understanding and shaping responses to global development challenges and achieving the SDGs. The conference tackles pivotal debates on the social and economic impacts of cash transfers, the unique challenges of safety nets in conflict-affected and humanitarian settings, and strategies for creating fiscal space for welfare spending. 

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