IDRC at the 2021 Conference of Montreal
IDRC is co-hosting with the International Economic Forum of the Americas a plenary session on opportunities to solve energy poverty and inequalities worldwide, a panel on the care economy, and a fireside chat with Ismahane Elouafi, Chief Scientist at the Food and Agriculture Organization.
The Conference of Montreal aims to heighten knowledge and awareness of the major issues concerning economic globalization, with a particular emphasis on the relations between the Americas and other continents. This year’s conference theme is “Towards a fairer and greener economy.”
This 27th edition of the conference will take place in a hybrid format on September 13-16, 2021, from Montreal and Miami.
Learn more about the Conference of Montreal and register
Overview of IDRC sessions
Tuesday, September 14 |12:40-1:30 p.m.
Renewables to end energy poverty for a sustainable and inclusive world
Plenary session
Moderated by IDRC President Jean Lebel
Lack of access to affordable, reliable, and renewable electricity is trapping millions in poverty, worsening food security, undermining efforts to address climate change, and exacerbating inequalities and gender gaps. This conversation will explore the global transition to renewable energy, overcoming obstacles and exploiting opportunities to solve energy poverty and inequalities worldwide and the potential ripple-effect benefits, such as improved education, health, gender equality, food security, economic development, and job creation.
Wednesday, September 15 | 11:00-11:50 a.m.
Investing in those who care
Panel
Moderated by IDRC Vice-President Dominique Charron
Care and domestic work are key barriers to women’s and girls’ empowerment. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how vital it is to society, yet much of it remains invisible, undervalued, and unevenly distributed. How can business and investment address the gender and social disparities associated with vulnerable care jobs and transform them into fair job opportunities? What market-based solutions are emerging to recognize, reward, reduce, and redistribute care activities and advance gender equality?
Wednesday, September 15 | 1:20-1:50 p.m.
Uniting the scientific community: What the Global North can learn from the South in research and development?
Fireside chat
Interviewed by Jean Lebel
IDRC President Jean Lebel will interview Ismahane Elouafi, Chief Scientist at the Food and Agriculture Organization, about the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the path to Zero Hunger by 2030.