The aim of the September 2012 conference was to take stock of – and identify gaps in – existing knowledge and debates across institutional, thematic and geographic barriers. The major themes explored at the conference included:
Photos by: Impumelelo
Macro-economic policy
Strengths and weaknesses of current macro-economic policies and alternatives
Unemployment and labour issues
Unemployment and job creation, including dynamics of the informal sector and labour regulations
Education
Education and inequality – exploring challenges and sharing models that work from conception to career
Legal frameworks
The role of the law in addressing poverty and inequality
Entrepreneurship and livelihood strategies
Challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship and creating sustainable livelihoods
Social protection and welfare
The role of social welfare in mitigating the effects of poverty and inequality
The family
The impact of poverty on families and households
Public space, safety and violence
Spatial inequality, public space and safety
Land & agriculture
Using the land, with particular focus on new models of agriculture, land reform and food security
Towns and cities
Urban planning and services
Environment and resources
Exploring sustainable approaches to water, energy and service delivery
Health issues
Health, health care services and disease burdens
