APORDE 2022
African Programme on Rethinking Development Economics5-16 September 2022
Pretoria, South Africa
We are pleased to announce that the sixteenth edition of the African Programme on Rethinking Development Economics (APORDE) is scheduled to take place in Pretoria (South Africa) from the 5th to 16th September 2022. Note that the programme may shift to an online format dependent on COVID-19.
APORDE is a high-level training programme in development economics which aims to build capacity in economics and economic policymaking. The course is run for two weeks and consists of lectures and seminars taught by leading international and African economists. This call is directed at talented economists, policymakers, academics and civil society activists who, if selected, will be fully funded to participate in the course.
Please note that we receive many high-quality applications and that, as a result, entry into APORDE will be very competitive (only 30 applicants will be selected). It is therefore important that applicants complete and submit all the required documentation.
APORDE is an initiative of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) with the support of Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS). Previous APORDE lecturers include among others the internationally renowned economist Ha-Joon Chang (University of Cambridge) as well as leading lecturers from SOAS and Cambridge University.
What previous participants have said about the course:
- It touches on the most important developmental aspects which are critical to African Countries.
- The knowledge acquired from the course has changed my attitude towards Industrial Policy.
- The course provided an in-depth understanding of development issues at work.
- Great course, great lecturers, great everyone.
Background
Africa is probably the continent most affected by the poor availability of cutting-edge research and teaching in economics. While only a few African countries have experienced sustained economic development in the past 50 years, African governments and civil societies have in the past been weakly equipped to respond critically to external initiatives aimed at their development and to generate endogenous strategies. The tide is, however, gradually turning: in South Africa and in other African countries, the need for “more” (rather than merely “better”, which has often proved to mean “less”) state intervention in economic affairs is increasingly recognised. Crucially, economic take-off and converting growth spurts into sustained periods of structural change appears bound to remain a pipedream unless it is premised on developmental policy; South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is leading the way with its industrial policy. However, few African decision makers feel equipped to design and implement such policies, a gap which APORDE aims to help fill.
APORDE
APORDE will allow talented academics, policymakers and civil society representatives from Africa to gain access to alternatives to mainstream thinking on development issues and to be equipped in a way that will foster original thinking. Participants will receive intensive high-level training and interact with some of the best development economists in the world and with other participants.
Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, APORDE 2022 will be held in-person from the 5th to 16th September 2022. A vaccine certificate will be required for all participants.
The following costs will be covered for all participants selected to be on the programme – flights, accommodation, conference fee and per diem. The seminar is scheduled to take place in Pretoria, South Africa.
APORDE covers essential topics in development economics, including structural change, industrial policy, rural poverty, inequality and financialisation. Lectures will equip participants with key information pertaining to both mainstream and critical approaches. The programme will mostly consist of daytime lectures, as well as a number of shorter evening talks and debates.
Previous APORDE sessions included lectures on:
- Critical Perspectives on Development Economics
- Market, State and Institutions in Economic Development
- Governance, Democracy and Economic Development
- Globalisation, Global Value Chains and Regional Value Chains
- Trade and Industrial Policy
- Agriculture, Economic Development and Land Reform
- Gender, Development and Growth
- International Financial Flows
- Industrial Development in Africa, East Asia, South Asia, Latin America
- Mineral Resources and Industrial Policy
- Industrial Policy in South Africa
Previous lecturers included:
- Ha-Joon Chang (Cambridge University)
- Adeyemi Dipeolu (Government of Nigeria)
- Ben Fine (SOAS, University of London)
- Gabriel Palma (Cambridge University)
- Mushtaq Khan (SOAS, University of London)
- Stephanie Seguino (University of Vermont)
- Chris Cramer (SOAS, University of London)
- Jayati Ghosh (Jawaharlal Nehru University)
- Fiona Tregenna (University of Johannesburg)
Application Process
Applicants must demonstrate first-class intellectual capacity and (at least some) prior knowledge in economics/political economy, as well as proficiency in English. The objective of APORDE is to attract participants from a broad range of backgrounds and preference will be given to persons who have demonstrated exceptional capacity in their professional experience.
The participants will be drawn from Africa, but we welcome applications from Asians, Middle Easterns and Latin Americans who have research or work experience related to Africa.
The following documents should be prepared to upload:
- An official transcript (showing courses taken and grades obtained);
- A certificate of the highest qualification;
- A recent curriculum vitae not exceeding five pages in length;
- Two letters of reference, where possible one academic referee and one professional;
- For those whose main medium of instruction or work is not English, some proof of English proficiency will be necessary. Results of Standard English proficiency tests (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS) will be preferable, but other proof may also be accepted (e.g. a sample of written work in English); and
- Your COVID-19 vaccination certificate
Applications close on Tuesday 3 May 2022 at 8 o’clock in the morning, Johannesburg time.
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Candidates will be notified by e-mail of the outcome of their applications by 15th June 2022.
For queries, please contact Rozale Sewduth at rozale@tips.org.za or at aporde@tips.org.za
Prospective applicants can register and apply online at https://aporde.co.za/registration/
