The hybrid Social Outcomes Conference 2021 took place at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, generating much excitement. The event was attended by participants from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
The keynote address was delivered by Professor Joseph Stiglitz, who noted that in a world marked by significant inequality, GDP growth may not translate to improved living standards for most people, leading to a erosion of trust in government. He proposed the adoption of a broader set of metrics to evaluate societal well-being and advocated for integrating these metrics into institutional practices at both macro and service delivery levels.
Following the keynote speech, a panel discussion featuring experts from academia and practice took place. Avnish Gungadurdoss from Instiglio presented a nuanced perspective, suggesting that being accountable for measurable outcomes is crucial in achieving them. Professor Rodney Scott (UNSW) discussed New Zealand’s democratic approach to developing a well-being framework, which has influenced budgetary decisions and established government accountability for meeting well-being objectives. Beata Javorcik from the EBRD emphasized the importance of transparency in addressing the inherent limitations of measurements.
The session concluded with Academic Director Mara Airoldi providing a concise summary, urging a change in the way society measures and acts upon issues that hold significance for people. The goal is to shift existing norms and unite everyone toward this shared objective.
Relive the Highlights from Day 1 of
the Social Outcomes Conference here