27th May 2021

Venue : Kigali Serena Hotel

CONCEPT NOTE AND AGENDA

1. Purpose and Background

The Economic Policy Research Network (EPRN Rwanda) is a Research and Training Institution registered with Rwanda Governance Board as a local Non-Government Organization with a mission to contribute to the evidence-based economic policymaking by providing high-quality research, building capacities and creating networking opportunities for local experts. One of the flagship activities of EPRN is to organize research conferences. So far, six conferences have been organized with more than 40 papers presented, and a number of policy dialogues on research findings have been organized.

On annual basis, EPRN Research Committee selects a research theme and sub-topics which are approved by the Board of Directors. EPRN calls for abstracts/proposals. Selected proposals are assigned mentors and reviewers who work with researchers until the date of the conference whereby the best papers are presented and thereafter published as EPRN Paper Working Series. During paper selection, subscribed members of EPRN are given a priority. Presented papers are sent to international reviewers with the possibility of being published in recognized international journals. Apart from papers by EPRN members, partners also have the opportunity to disseminate/present study reports and papers.

The Economic Policy Research Network is organizing the 7th Annual Economic Research Conference that brings together researchers and policy makers to disseminate research findings from its scholars and those from other research and academic institutions. The Conference is scheduled for May 27, 2021 in Kigali and targets national and international researchers, academics, professionals and decision makers working in government, private sector enterprises and institutions, civil society organizations and development partners.

This year’s main theme is for the 7th annual research conference : “Economic policy measures to enhance productive capacities post COVID-19 Crisis”. which will be broken down into five sub-themes :

1. Understanding the Socio-Economic impact of Covid-19 :
2. The role of leadership at national and international levels in containing effects of Covid-19
3. The role of digital solutions in economic resilience and growth (E-commerce, E-payment, E-learning etc...) :
4. Reducing vulnerability Post-Covid-19 – New Strategies for Insertion into the Regional and Global Economy :
5. Investment strategies in the post-COVID-19 for economic growth and job creation :

2. Objective of the conference ;

The Research conference will create a discussion forum on relevant research findings to reveal the status of the economic sectors post COVID-19 ; and suggest specific short-term, medium-term, and long-term recommendations to uplift the country’s socio-economic development.

3. Presentations and Expected Outcome ;

During the 7th Research Conference, papers developed by EPRN members around the sub topics above, will be presented. EPRN has five quality papers selected to be presented.

In addition, study reports and papers from partners will also be presented (UNECA, UNDP and GIZ/IFPRI).

The final papers with key policy recommendations will be published online through EPRN website : www.eprnrwanda.org, as Paper Working Series. Summarized policy briefs shall be disseminated to concerned policy makers, research community and other interested users.

4. Conference Date and Venue

The conference is scheduled on 27th May 2021 and will be conducted in a hybrid way whereby 20 participants (presenters, speakers, reviewers, key partners and journalists) will attend the conference at a physical venue ; whereas a wide audience will follow the conference through virtual platform (Livestream).
- Physical Venue : SERENA HOTEL - KN 3 Ave, Kigali
- Virtual Platform : Link to be shared after registration
- Language : English

5. Participants and registration Portal

The Research Conference targets all researchers, policy analysts, policy makers, academia, journalists, CSOs and Development Partners interested with socio-economic policy.

Register here and for more information on the registration process, kindly write to : info@eprnrwanda.org or ed@eprnrwanda.org. You may also call : +250788357648.

TENTATIVE AGENDA

Venue : SERENA Hotel
Date : 27th May 2021
Time 8:00 AM to 4:15PM

Time	Activity	Responsible
8:00 - 9:00	Arrival of Invitees at Serena and connecting with participants on-line (livestreaming)	EPRN
9:00 - 9:20	Opening remarks	– Dr Charles Ruranga, EPRN Legal Representative – Mr Paul Akiwumi, Director, Division for Africa, LDCs and Special Programmes (UNCTAD) – GIZ Country Director – Guest of Honor : Hon Minister of Trade and Industry (TBC)
9:20-10:30	First round of presentation of papers and research reports	– Dr Andrew Mold (UNECA), Regional overview of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis – Héritier Raphaël Mesa (EPRN) ; Subverting borders, precarity and vulnerability : the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on informal cross-border traders between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo – Q&A, Discussions
10:30-10:45	Health Break
10:45–12:15	Second round of presentation of papers and research reports	– Dr Thierry Mihigo (MINECOFIN) ; COVID-19 Economic Impact and Policy Response – Vedate Kamasa Byombi (EPRN), The impact of mobile banking on the wellbeing of Rwandan citizens during the Coronavirus period : a case study of Umwalimu SACCO – Dr Fidele Mutemberezi (EPRN), The role of digital solutions in economic resilience and growth in Rwanda – Q&A, discussions
12:15-2:00	Lunch break
2:00–3:50	Third round of presentation of papers and research reports t	– Emerta Aragie (IFPRI), Assessing the economywide impacts of COVID-19 on Rwanda’s economy, food system, and poverty : A social accounting matrix (SAM) multiplier approach – Oxfam Rwanda ; Impacts of COVID-19 on Women in horticulture sector – Dr Daniel Twesige (EPRN), Challenges and opportunities of moving to online learning in the higher learning institutions in Rwanda : lessons learnt during COVID -19 pandemics – Osten Chulu (UNDP), Paper – Q&A, discussions
3:50-4:00	Presentations of key recommendations	EPRN/UNCTAD Event Manager
4:00-4:15	Closing remarks	– EPRN Legal Representative – Guest of Honor : Hon Minster of Finance and Economic Planning (TBC)