ADB hosted an online event on social protection for economic inclusion, which centers on the graduation approach as a key strategy for addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequality in Asia and the Pacific. The keynote speaker was Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee, Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-recipient of the 2019 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel for his pioneering work in poverty reduction and development economics research.

The event highlighted key considerations for governments that are planning for, implementing, and scaling up the graduation approach. It also shared new evidence from a randomized evaluation of a graduation program led by the Government of the Philippines and discuss lessons and insights on economic inclusion and support for poor and vulnerable households with technical experts focused on program adaptation and scale.

Click here to see further information about Day 1 of the event.