Inequality in ASEAN |Inequality in Malaysia

DATE : JANUARY 15 - 16 2020 VENUE : PULLMAN KUALA LUMPUR BANGSAR

UNGKU AZIZ DEVELOPMENT FORUM ON INEQUALITY

Dimensions of Inequality | Global InequalityRedistributive Imperative of Development

Gender Inequality | Data for Research

Shared Prosperity

BACKGROUNDHigh and (in some cases) rising inequality has emerged as a major development issue in many countries. But, what do we mean by “inequality”? Different definitions imply different stories. In the economic dimension (income or consumption or wealth) it matters greatly whether one thinks of inequality in relative terms (ratios of incomes) or absolute terms (differences in incomes). It also matters how one deals with differences in the cost-of-living, and the relative weights one attaches to different levels of income. In addition, there are important “non-income” dimensions of inequalityinequality to consider, including inequalities in access to services, empowerment and intra-household inequality. Concepts and measures matter, so clarity is needed when one talks about “inequality.” And what can be done about specific inequalities? There is little consensus today on the implications for policy. Some observers are concerned about trade-offs with other valued goals, such as economic growth and poverty reduction. Others argue that these trade-offs are often exaggerated. Indeed, some have argued that high inequality is a serious impediment to social and economiceconomic progress more broadly. Malaysia is unusual among developing countries in terms of the long-term progress it has made against relative income inequality. The official Gini Index of household income inequality has fallen from over 0.50 around 1970 to under 0.40 today. It is important to understand this success. Some observers have argued that income inequality is still too high, and further effort is needed. There are continuing concerns about ethnic and geographic disparities in levels of living, in both income and non-income dimensions.

This Ungku Aziz Development Forum is designed to be a platform for an open discussion between the academic community, development practitioners, policy makers, NGOs and observers. The aim of this forum is to encourage relevant parties to re-examine and re-think complex development issues in order to learn from past experiences and to inform future efforts to ensure the achievements of the broader development goals of a nation. The themes of the forum would be identified based on the cross-cutting topics that falls within the main Research Pillars of the Centre andand input from our programmes and research findings.

OBJECTIVE

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FOCUSThe Ungku Aziz Development Forum focus on thematic perspectives on inequality. The premise is that, inequality could be better understood by taking an inter-disciplinary approach. Towards this end:

- finding a shared meaning of inequality is essential- different dimensions of inequality; economic inequality is central, but we also need to consider specific inequalities related to gender, class, ethnicity, regional and group vulnerabilities -- enhancing research capabilities to create a research ecosystem that also serve to support policy making and overcome policy challenges are crucial

This forum invites participant reflections and questions on global inequality issues, and recommendations moving forward.

Paper presentations on selected inequality themes by National/Regional/Country experts to understand the different dimensions of inequality at different stages of economic development by highlighting these aspects:

1. Deconstructing Inequality- Meaning of Inequality, Definition, Approaches and Measurements

2. Inequality Research - Three Inequalities: Social, Economic and Political/Power Dimensions-- Data, Framework and Methodologies- Inter-disciplinary Research

3. Research and Policy Challenges- Researchers- Policy Makers- Finding Synergy

4. Creating a Research Ecosystem-- Support Policy Making - Overcome Policy Challenges

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FORUM STRUCTURE

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PROGRAMME ITINERARY15th January 2020 (Wednesday)

9.00 - 9.45 a.m.

9.50 a.m.

10.00 a.m.

10.10 a.m.

10.55 a.m.

11.10 a.m.

11.2511.25 a.m.

12.00 noon

12.15 noon

12.50 noon

Arrival of Guests Registration/Refreshment

Welcoming RemarksProfessor Dr. Edmund Terence GomezDean, Faculty of Economics & Administration

Officiating SpeechYBhg.YBhg. Datuk Ir. (Dr.) Abdul Rahim Hj. HashimVice-Chancellor, University of Malaya

Keynote 1: From Global Realities to Local Articulations; Through the Lenses of Social Anthropology YBhg. Distinguished Professor Datuk Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, FAScInstitute of Ethnic Studies, National University of Malaysia (UKM)

Chairperson:Chairperson: Dr. Muhammad Ikmal Mohd SaidDirector, Centre for Poverty and Development Studies (2014-2015)

Q & A Session

Break

Turning Points versus Bifurcations in the Inequality Dynamics and Redistributive Imperatives of DevelopmentAssociate Professor Dr. Andrew FischerInternationalInternational Institute of Social Studies, The Hague

Chairperson: Emeritus Professor Chamhuri SiwarInstitute for Environment & Development National University of Malaysia (UKM)

Q & A Session

Income Inequality in ASEAN CountriesYBhg. Distinguished Professor Dato’ Dr. Rajah Rasiah Asia-EuropeAsia-Europe Institute, University of Malaya

Chairperson: Dr. Azmah Haji Othman,Deputy Dean (Higher Degree), Faculty of Economics & AdministrationAssociate Fellow, Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies

Q & A Session

PROGRAMME ITINERARY15th January 2020 (Wednesday)

1.05 p.m.

2.35 p.m.

3.10 p.m.

3.25 p.m.

4.00 p.m.

4.15 p.m.

4.454.45 p.m.

5.00 p.m.

9.00 - 9.45 a.m.

10.00 a.m.

10.45 a.m.

Lunch

Global Inequality and Public PolicyMr. Gulam Mustafa TalpurInequality Campaign Lead-Asia, Oxfam International

Chairperson: Dr. Kenneth Simler,Senior Economist, World Bank Malaysia

QQ & A Session

Gender Inequality & PovertyDr. Dominique van de WalleVisiting Professor, Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies

Chairperson: Associate Professor Dr. Shanthi ThambiahFaculty of Arts & Social Sciences

Q & A Session

InequalityInequality & Intergenerational Social Mobility in MalaysiaMs. Hawati Abdul HamidSenior Research Associate, Khazanah Research Institute (KRI)

Chairperson: Dr. Rosila Bee Mohd HussainFaculty of Arts & Social SciencesAssociate Fellow, Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies

Q & A Session

RefreshmentRefreshment

Registration/Refreshment

Keynote 2: Income Inequality & Poverty in Malaysia since May 1969Professor Dr. Martin RavallionHolder of The Royal Professor Ungku Aziz Chair

Chairperson: Professor Dr. Fatimah KariFaculty of Economics & AdministrationAssociateAssociate Fellow, Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies

Q & A Session

16th January 2020 (Thursday)

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PROGRAMME ITINERARY16th January 2020 (Thursday)

11.00 a.m.

11.15 a.m.

11.45 a.m.

12.00 noon

2.00 p.m.

4.00 p.m.

4.454.45 p.m.

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ABOUT US

ROYAL PROFESSOR UNGKU AZIZ CHAIR FUNDERS

KEMENTERIAN PENDIDIKAN MALAYSIA YAYASAN

Contact UsUngku Aziz Centre for Development Studies

Level 2, Administration Building (H10)Faculty of Economics and AdministrationUniversity of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur

Contact: +603 7967 3766EmailEmail : t_cpds@um.edu.my

Website : ungkuazizcentre.um.edu.my

The Royal Professor Ungku Aziz Chair (RPUAC) was established at the Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya to honor the contributions of Professor Ungku Aziz in the field of education and economic development especially rural development and poverty.

TheThe Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, previously known as the Centre for Poverty and Development Studies (CPDS), is created to facilitate the activities of the chair. Since 2016, the Centre has undertaken steps to develop and further expand the field of development studies to reflect its interdisciplinary nature, to attract a wider participation, to engage young minds and to go beyond a mono-disciplinary approachapproach to development. The defining pillars of the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies and its core programmes represents the Centre’s evolution and the dynamism of the field of study.