The Asia Regional Convening on Beyond GDP and against Neoliberalism Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok on 16th -17th January 2025.

Organized by International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs) in partnership with Oxfam in Asia and Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok.

The event will take place at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok on 16th and 17th January 2025.

Since the 1980s, neoliberalism has dominated global economic policies, exacerbating wealth inequality, social deprivation, and environmental destruction. Behind the rhetoric of “free” markets, neoliberalism primarily benefits the wealthy, with 1% of the population controlling more wealth than the bottom 95%. Central to this ideology is the reliance on GDP as the key measure of development, often ignoring the crucial issues of wage disparity, social well-being, and environmental sustainability. GDP also fails to account for unpaid work, the informal economy, or planetary boundaries.

This convening will bring together leading academics, social movements, and activists from across Asia to explore alternatives to neoliberal economic models. Together, we will critically assess the limitations of GDP and explore new frameworks that prioritize equality, sustainability, and decolonial and feminist values.