Events and Conferences

Events and Conferences

Deep Engagement, Cutting Edge Research

Noted speakers are invited to the CDE to present public lectures and to conduct in-class seminars on topics related to the problems faced by developing countries. These lectures offer a unique opportunity for CDE fellows to interact with major policymakers in the field of economic development. The small class size gives each student access to the speaker and allows a meaningful exchange of ideas.

In addition to seminars, which follow the typical lecture format, the CDE also hosts Development Dialogues, a lunch series intended to facilitate interactive dialogue with policymakers, academics, fellows, and undergraduates.

UPCOMING EVENTS

More events coming soon! Check back later.

Conferences

2026 Conference

TOPIC TBA |  April 9-11, 2026
A two-day conference bringing key economists to share their research on a topic of the year.

Professional Development Teas

PAST EVENTS

Aban Haq (CDE ’06, Pakistan)

Ms. Aban Haq, Head of the Project Management Office and Member Engagement at the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), visited CDE/Williams College for a special two-day event as part of the CDE/Per Jacobsson Foundation Speaker Series. On Saturday, May 31, 2025 Ms. Haq delivered a public talk titled “A Public Purpose Across Institutions,” in which she reflected…

Ralph Chami: Natural Finance

A photo of Ralph Chami

Doug Irwin (Dartmouth)

Doug Irwin (Dartmouth)

Jessica Leight is speaking at a CDE Public Event
Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz is speaking at the CDE Convention
A female speaker is speaking in front of a lecture screen during a CDE Public Event
Ralph Chami is speaking at a CDE Public Event

Past Guest Speakers

Pierre-Richard Agenor, University of Manchester

Fakhruddin Ahmed, CDE ’71, former Chief Adviser of Bangladesh and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank

Oliver Babson, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Nancy Birdsall, Center for Global Development

Olivier Blanchard, International Monetary Fund

Stijn Claessens, International Monetary Fund

Angus Deaton, Princeton University and Nobel Prize Recipient

Karen Dynan, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and Chief Economist of the United States Department of the Treasury

Solomon Hsiang, University of California Berkeley

Ishrat Husain, CDE ’72, former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan

Ahmed Kaikaus, CDE '00, World Bank

Michael Kremer, Harvard University

Eteri Kvintradze, CDE ’99, International Monetary Fund

Guillermo Ortiz, Banorte, formerly Banco Central de Mexico

Dani Rodrik, Harvard University

Andrew Steer, World Resources Institute

Joseph Stiglitz, Columbia University

Gary Teves, CDE ’68, former Secretary of the Department of Finance of the Philippines

Goh Chok Tong, CDE ’67, former Prime Minister of Singapore

David Weil, Brown University