Past Events

JULY 2025

May 22

Growth Academy 2025


Hosted by the Global Center for Economic Growth, the Growth Academy is an intensive, week-long program held on the University of Chicago campus. Designed for rising leaders in policy, academia, and development, the Academy blends expert-led workshops, interactive panel discussions, and curated networking opportunities. Participants gain unparalleled access to world-renowned scholars and practitioners, engaging directly with cutting-edge research and actionable strategies that drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Chicago, USA

May 2025

Growth Academy ECA

The Global Center for Economic Growth is proud to host Growth Academy ECA, an intensive regional program designed to support inclusive and sustainable development across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Bringing together policymakers, researchers, and local leaders, this Academy features expert-led workshops, interactive panel discussions, and curated networking opportunities. Participants gain direct access to leading voices in economic transformation, with a special focus on regional challenges and solutions that foster innovation, resilience, and long-term growth.

Bucharest, Romania

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Apr 2025

Growth Academy Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

The Global Center for Economic Growth is hosting a regional Growth Academy event focused on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Featured presenters include local administrators as well as regional policymakers, academic experts, and development practitioners. The event will highlight locally driven strategies for inclusive economic growth, offering a platform to exchange ideas, share success stories, and identify actionable policy solutions tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities within the MENA region.

Cairo, Egypt

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Nov 2024

AI Roundtable

AI is unleashing a new wave of digitalization. And its potential economic impacts are manifold. The World Bank’s 2026 World Development Report (WDR) will examine the promise and pitfalls of AI for economic development and what developing countries can do to enhance the value of AI while mitigating adverse effects. Through a collaboration between the Growth Academy, hosted by the University of Chicago, and the World Bank, a brainstorming session with leading scholars and practitioners will be held in Chicago on November 21st to set the ball rolling on the 2026 WDR.

Chicago, IL USA

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Growth Academy 2024

The University of Chicago and the World Bank are excited to announce the inaugural Growth Academy, an intensive summer school focused on research and policy for economic development in middle-income countries. This annual program, hosted by the Global Center for Economic Growth—a collaborative initiative between the University of Chicago’s Becker Friedman Institute for Economics and the World Bank—aims to advance knowledge among researchers and policymakers while fostering innovative solutions for economic growth challenges.

Chicago, IL USA | Washington D.C.

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