LEAP's Inauguration
Bocconi University inaugurated its latest research unit, LEAP – the Laboratory for Effective Anti-Poverty Policies on Wednesday June 22nd. The event drew numerous students, NGOs and civil society representatives interested in the evaluation of anti-poverty programs and economic development.
Andrea Sironi, Rector of Bocconi University and Anselmo Stucchi, President of the Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi Foundation welcomed participants and reaffirmed their institutions’ commitment to supporting the development of LEAP. Eliana La Ferrara, the Scientific Director of the laboratory spoke about the mission of LEAP and the path leading to the creation of this new and ambitious endeavor. She then introduced Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee of the Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT who delivered a much-anticipated address about the experience of J-PAL and the vital role of impact evaluation in development initiatives. The next part of the event included presentations by Selim Gulesci, LEAP affiliate and Professor of Development Economics at Bocconi University, Bianca Pomeranzi, Gender Advisor to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Wameq Raza, of BRAC International, who discussed partnerships between academia and institutions working on the empowerment of women. The final part of the event featured a panel on the role of research and impact evaluation in international development projects and on possibilities for cooperation between institutions and academia. Lucia Corno, Assistant Professor at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and Executive Director of LEAP moderated a discussion between Roberto Barbieri, the Director General of Oxfam in Italy, Beatrice Costa, the Head of Programs for Action Aid Italy and Min. Plenipotentiary Cristiano Maggipinto of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Slides:
Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo