Leaving no one behind
Since the 1990’s the Asia-Pacific region has experienced confident economic growth trajectories which has contributed greatly to socioeconomic transformation across the region. While the common aphorism “a rising tide will lift all boats” would suggest that the positive benefits of this economic growth would be equally measurable across all levels of society, the reality of the situation has unfortunately shown that the benefits of economic growth have often excluded those who are most in need resulting in enduring poverty and unemployment.
The challenges associated with inequality were brought into greater focus during the COVID-19 pandemic with those at the base of the economic pyramid, many of whom operate in the informal sector and lack access to public or private safety nets, being particularly impacted by the resulting global economic fallout. These challenges have come into greater focus as governments have prioritized digitalization as a core strategy to accelerate post-pandemic economic recovery with many of the region’s poor and vulnerable at risk of being left behind in a world where digital access and capabilities are becoming increasingly important to access basic services (i.e. health, education, finance) or participate in economic activities.
WELCOME
Established by the Griffith Asia Institute in 2022, the Inclusive Growth Hub functions as the institute’s focal point for research and capacity building activities designed to deliver positive economic outcomes for the poorest and most vulnerable segments of society across Asia and the Pacific. With a primary focus on financial, digital inclusion, and innovative sustainable finance, the Inclusive Growth Hub serves as a platform for Griffith University’s experts to collaborate with external partners including multilateral institutions, non-government organisations, corporations, academia and, government agencies.
Need to know more? Please contact our Program Leader: Mr Shawn Hunter
Our primary focus areas
The programs pursued through the Inclusive Growth Hub are designed to accelerate progress on a wide range of economic growth and development priorities across Asia and the Pacific. Leveraging Griffith University’s multidisciplinary expertise across diverse fields, as well as extensive regional networks, new programs are developed regularly in response to rapidly evolving regional trends and challenges. These programs are centered on providing practical solutions relevant to multiple stakeholder groups, including governments, practitioners, and civil society. Our core activities include providing stakeholders with expert advice and educational opportunities to bolster skill development as well as collaborating with policymakers and industry leaders to develop and promote new knowledge through innovative research. In line with this approach, the Inclusive Growth Hub currently focuses predominantly on three areas.
Sustainable Development Goals
The programs of the Inclusive Growth Hub focus on, and cut across, the principles of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The principles are embedded in our approach, in particular, SDGs 1, 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16 and 17, and our commitment to tackling global challenges around sustainable development and partnerships.
Our researchers
- Ron Bevacqua
- Professor Robert Bianchi
- Professor Naomi Birdthistle
- Assoc Prof Andreas Chai
- Assoc Prof Sameer Deshpande
- Dr L. Fernando Distadio
- Professor Susan Harris Rimmer
- Shawn Hunter
- Professor Shireenjit Johl
- Dr Lili Mi
- Dr Athula Naranpanawa
- Assoc Prof Tess Newton Cain
- Dr Akihiro Omura
- Dr Anya Phelan
- Professor Rosemary Stockdale
- Professor Dian Tjondronegoro
- Mr Bob Trojan
- Dr Erin Watson
- Dr Tracey West
- Dr Steffen Westermann
- Dr Victor Wong
Our partners
