The 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics, Michael Kremer, delivered the keynote lecture “Experimentation, Innovation, Economics”, at the inauguration of the First International Forum on Evaluation for Development, organized by the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development, which is being held from the 18th to the 20th of this month.
Kremer is pleased that the Dominican government is taking an interest in rigorously evaluating the impact of public policies, through the search for scientific data, as it guarantees an improvement in the quality of life of the people.
The evaluation expert, who received recognition from the Dominican Government for his outstanding career, is currently the director of The Development Innovation Lab (DIL) at the University of Chicago.
In his lecture, the prominent economist referred to his collaboration with the Government of the Dominican Republic. Among the impact evaluation initiatives with which he accompanies the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development are the 14-24 Opportunity, English Immersion for Competitiveness and Robotics programs.
He also addressed the importance of Government Innovation Units. “Innovations are developed and tested within governments in collaboration with researchers,” said Kremer, during his lecture at the UASD’s aula Magna.
Dr. Kremer indicated that government innovation units aim to: accelerate the process of government innovation; improve government efficiency, informing the allocation of resources. Kremer highlighted the examples of Chile, Peru, the United States, the United Kingdom and India.
At the activity, which took place in the Aula Magna of the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, Dr. Kremer was joined at the table of honor by the Minister of Economy, Planning and Development, Pável Isa Contreras; the Vice-Minister of Planning and Public Investment, Luis Madera Sued; the Vice-Rector of Research and Postgraduate Studies of the University, Radhamés Silverio, representing the Rector, Editrudis Beltrán, and the Vice-Minister of Technical and Pedagogical Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Ancell Scheker.
“In this International Forum on Evaluation for Development we have the opportunity to share knowledge, experiences and best practices. This will allow us to strengthen our capacities and collaborate in building fairer and more prosperous societies,” said Minister Isa Contreras.
He pointed out that within this framework “it is a great honor for me to have Dr. Michael Kremer present tonight, who, through his work and experience in the field of evaluation, will contribute guiding threads in this broad path of evidence-based decision making”.
Minister Isa ContrerasIsa Contreras said that there is a very precious coincidence with Dr. Kremer and his team, starting with having found, from the first approach they had to the country, that the objectives and interests had a common element. “This is how the synergy between what we had already proposed with the National Monitoring and Evaluation System (coordinated by the Ministry of Economy) and the Development Innovation Lab came about,” said the minister.
The Vice Rector of Research and Postgraduate Studies of the UASD, Radhamés Silverio, in his welcoming remarks expressed the commitment of the academy to these capacity building activities.
Vice Minister Madera Sued shared the Nobel Prize winner’s biography, highlighting his work on drinking water and vaccines. He highlighted the support of Kremer and his team with the Dominican Republic in the evaluation of the Opportunity 14/24, English Immersion for Competitiveness and Robotics programs.
In this first official visit to the country, Kremer is accompanied by his academic team from the University of Chicago, to participate in the FIED 2023, through which the Ministry of Economy strengthens the National Monitoring and Evaluation System (SNMyE), while showing the initiatives and progress made by the current Government of the Dominican Republic, in terms of evaluation of public policies.
As part of his agenda in the country, the prominent economist was received last Tuesday night by President Luis Abinader, together with the Minister of Economy, Isa Contreras; the Vice Minister of Planning and Public Investment, Luis Madera Sued; and the person in charge of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mabely Díaz. Economist and academic Pedro Silvero also participated in the meeting.
Kremer’s participation in the forum is part of the steps being taken by the Ministry of Economy to build a firm collaboration base to advance in the joint work with key actors.
About Dr. Kremer
Michael Kremer is Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the University of Chicago and Founder of the Development Economics Center (DEC) and the Development Innovation Lab (DIL).
Dr. Kremer has left an indelible mark on the field of global economics and development. His outstanding contribution lies in his innovative approach to addressing fundamental issues related to poverty and education in developing countries.
In receiving the Nobel Prize, Kremer was honored along with Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo, “for their experimental approach to global poverty alleviation”.
Source: presidencia.gov.do
