CALL FOR PAPERS – 2018 ANNUAL RESEARCH AND POLICY SEMINAR

MEFMI invites interested experts to submit proposals for policy-oriented discussion papers on diverse topics around the Institute’s key priority areas of Macroeconomic Management, Financial Sector Management and Sovereign Debt Management for the 2018 Annual Research and Policy Seminar scheduled for November in Harare, Zimbabwe. While experts are free to suggest their topics, the proposed Papers should fall largely within the following main priority themes:

1. Role of Sovereign Wealth Funds in Africa’s Growth;
2. Formalising the Informal Sector: Issues and Solutions in Africa;
3. Trade Policy and Innovations in the Global Value Chain;
4. Gender-Responsive Economic Policy Management; and
5. Managing Public Debt in a Volatile Global Environment.

Any clarifications on these topics can be obtained from the Director, MEFMI Debt Management Programme through e-mail address capacity@mefmi.org, Telephone +263-4- 745988/99/91-94

OBJECTIVE OF THE SEMINAR

The goal of MEFMI is to improve macroeconomic and financial management and performance that supports economic growth and poverty reduction in its member countries. The MEFMI Research and Policy Seminar is an annual event aimed at fostering dialogue and exchange of knowledge that contributes to search for solutions to emerging challenges confronting the region, with a view to preserve and improve prospects for sustaining high and inclusive growth.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The Seminar will culminate in the publication of accepted papers in a special edition of peer reviewed journal, the MEFMI Research Journal. In addition, the papers will be abridged into policy briefings to make them more relevant to decision makers. This is expected to strengthen the link between research in economic policy formulation and implementation in the member countries.

SEMINAR FORMAT

The seminar will feature plenary sessions based on selected high quality papers. The plenary sessions will feature presentations of papers by authors as well as discussions, moderated by a panel of experts made up of invited prominent academics, policy makers, practitioners, and representatives of development organizations who share a deep passion for the development of the region and have unique perspectives on how it can be achieved.
 
COMPENSATION FOR THE COST OF RESEARCH

MEFMI will pay a fixed honorarium per paper to the authors of paper(s) that meet the requirements. This will be done after the Editors and Reviewers of each paper are satisfied with the quality of the paper(s) submitted.

TIME FRAME

One page abstracts of  the proposals indicating the topic and  methodology should  be submitted together with CV not later than 30th April 2018. These can be sent by e-mail to capacity@mefmi.org or to The Director,  MEFMI Debt Management Programme, 9 Earls Road, Alexandra Park,    P. O. Box 66016, Kopje, Harare, Zimbabwe. Telephone numbers
+263 4 745988/91-94

Authors of the accepted abstracts will be notified by 15 May 2018 and they will be expected to submit final versions of their papers no later than 30 July 2018 to allow time for external review of the papers prior to the seminar.