Academic dialogues essential for driving sustainable economic development: Frederick

||Kharas Governor, Aletha Frederick said insight generated from academic dialogue is instrumental in informing evidence-based decision-making processes that are essential for driving sustainable economic development.

Frederick made these remarks at the University of Namibia’s faculty of commerce, management and law research symposium held here on Tuesday under the theme ‘Economic recovery and resilience’.

She said research serves as the cornerstone for understanding the complexities of economic recovery and resilience, adding that it provides empirical evidence, theoretical frameworks and practical insights that can guide policymakers in formulating effective strategies.

“By delving into topics such as inclusive growth, sustainable development and the enhancement of economic resilience, researchers contribute to the body of knowledge that underpins informed policy interventions. Research findings offer actionable recommendations that can address specific challenges faced by economies striving for recovery and long-term sustainability,” she said.

Frederick said fostering economic recovery, inclusiveness and resilience is a multifaceted endeavour that requires collaboration between various stakeholders, including government bodies, private sector entities, civil society organisations and academic institutions.

“Given the shifting geopolitical dynamics, the external environment may be unstable and will likely stay thus for some time, internal policy decisions matter, and scholars, researchers and policy makers are not helpless. In order to make up lost ground and progress toward thriving economies and robust, inclusive communities, the moment to act is now,” she added.

The governor added that the delay in Namibia’s economy recovery was accelerated by the prolonged droughts and COVID-19, which caused the country’s GDP to decline by 7.9 per cent in 2020.

The symposium provided a platform for the sharing of solutions and recommendations through research and it featured various speakers to discuss and exchange ideas.

“In these discussions we can find solutions that often people say universities do not provide. We are at the age that we are looking at offering programmes that are cost effective and that can identify problems in society that we can deal with,” said UNAM executive dean for commerce, Jacob Nyambe, who also spoke at the event.

(NAMPA)
ST/HP/PS
(NAMPA)