As we close our 40th year, we reflect on UNU-WIDER’s legacy and look to future. Director Designate @apvjustino.bsky.social reminds us of the task ahead: harnessing shared knowledge to improve lives in an uncertain world. Learn more about the work we do: go.unu.edu/XR6Xh
#WIDER40 #2025recap
Ambassador H.E. Satu Lassila, Director Designate Patricia Justino and United Nations University Rector, Under-Secretary-General Tshilidzi Marwala speaking at the UNU-WIDER & IGM Mozambique reception.
Audience in attendance at the UNU-WIDER & IGM Mozambique reception.
Ambassador H.E. Satu Lassila speaking at the UNU-WIDER & IGM Mozambique reception.
Audience in attendance at the UNU-WIDER & IGM Mozambique reception.
“Sound policy requires sound evidence, and this is where UNU-WIDER has made its mark”
— Satu Lassila, Finland's Ambassador to Mozambique
In November, we celebrated #WIDER40 & our first country programme Inclusive Growth in Mozambique (IGM)'s 10th anniversary in Maputo. About IGM: go.unu.edu/1qCRd
Laura Saavedra-Lux presenting her research at the 2025 WIDER Development Conference in Helsinki, Finland.
Panelists on stage at the 2025 WIDER Development Conference in Helsinki, Finland.
Patricia Justino speaking at a fireside chat at the 2025 WIDER Development Conference in Helsinki, Finland.
Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee speaking at WIDER Annual Lecture in 2025.
Earlier this year, we hosted the 2025 WIDER Development Conference in Helsinki, celebrating #WIDER40!
Themes on growth, equity, and innovative solutions, the conference united leading minds to tackle global challenges. Looking forward to 2026 in New Delhi! #2025recap
After the global financial crisis, a key question emerged: Does aid actually work?
The evidence from our research showed consistency: overall, aid delivers a high return. For 40 years, research to improve the lives of the world’s poorest has been central to our mission.
#WIDER40
In the early 2000s, UNU-WIDER highlighted inequality by showing the richest 2% own about half of global wealth, while the poorest half holds just 1%. The findings sparked global movements.
Inequality remains central to our mission. Learn more: go.unu.edu/ahoFi
#WIDER40 #2025recap
UNU-WIDER Director Kunal Sen speaking at the UNU-WIDER & SA-TIED reception in Johannesburg.
Guests in attendance at the UNU-WIDER & SA-TIED reception in Johannesburg. On the screen, video featuring Amartya Sen plays.
Guests in attendance at the UNU-WIDER & SA-TIED reception in Johannesburg.
Guests in attendance at the UNU-WIDER & SA-TIED reception in Johannesburg.
In September, we gathered with #SATIED programme partners in Johannesburg to mark our 40th anniversary and long-standing partnerships in South Africa.
The event highlighted that lasting policy impact grows from long-term collaboration and shared commitment to evidence. #WIDER40 #2025recap
UNU-WIDER’s first book, Drèze & Sen’s Hunger and Public Action, reshaped how we, and many institutions worldwide, think about development. Its call to think beyond GDP still resonates today.
Read the book here: go.unu.edu/RdGuc
#WIDER40
UNU-WIDER Director Kunal Sen giving a speech at the UNU-WIDER 40th anniversary reception in Lusaka, Zambia.
H.E. Karolina Stasiak – Ambassador of the European Union to Zambia and UNU-WIDER Director Designate Patricia Justino at the UNU-WIDER 40th anniversary reception in Lusaka, Zambia.
Audience and panelists at the UNU-WIDER 40th anniversary reception in Lusaka, Zambia.
Guests at the the UNU-WIDER 40th anniversary reception in Lusaka, Zambia.
In April, we gathered in Lusaka with ZIPAR & Zambia Revenue Authority to celebrate partnerships that make UNU-WIDER what it is today🤝
The event launched the UNU-WIDER Statement of the reforming the International Financial Architecture, highlighting the importance of investing in people. #WIDER40
As we are getting close to the end of our #WIDER40 celebrations, we look back to 1982, when 24 academics envisioned a wider perspective for economics. From that vision, UNU-WIDER was born. Watch the story: go.unu.edu/wkPd1
#WIDER40
Picture of Prof Tshilidzi Marwala and Tony Addison speaking to distinguished guests at the UNU-WIDER's 40th anniversary reception in Helsinki.
Picture of UNU-WIDER Director Kunal Sen giving a speech on a podium at the UNU-WIDER 40th anniversary reception in Helsinki.
Picture of guests at the UNU-WIDER 40th anniversary reception in Helsinki.
Picture of panel discussion: : Financing for Development amidst global shocks: a wider perspective with H.E. Soili Mäkeläinen-Buhanist, Prof Jose Antonio Ocampo, Prof Attiya Waris, Dr Tomi Järvinen and moderator Director Kunal Sen.
✨ As our 40th anniversary year ends, we’re revisiting the moments that shaped #WIDER40. In March, we gathered in Helsinki to reflect on four decades of research and the power of shared knowledge. A strong start to a year of discussions on inequality and global development. @ununiversity.bsky.social
Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala speaking on a podium at the IGM Symposium 2025.
Picture of attendees at the IGM Symposium 2025.
A wide shot of Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala speaking at the IGM Symposium 2025.
Panelists and view of attendees at the IGM Symposium 2025.
📊 Connecting data, research, and policy for inclusive growth! At the Inclusive Growth in Mozambique (IGM) Symposium on Youth Employment in Mozambique, @txm23.bsky.social discussed how AI and digital innovation can transform work in developing economies. Data is 🗝️in effective policy design.
#WIDER40
Graphic of WIDER 40, The power of shared knowledge. On the bottom, text that says "Read more from the blog"
From challenging IMF orthodoxy to shaping the capability approach, UNU-WIDER’s early years redefined development thinking.
Read this blog by David Engerman on the institute’s beginnings in 1985 and the ideas that shaped 4 decades of impact 👉 go.unu.edu/8kQZ7
#WIDER40
From Research Fellow at UNU-WIDER to Chief at @unctad.bsky.social, Amelia U. Santos Paulino’s journey shows how shared knowledge drives global impact. 🌍
For 40 years, UNU-WIDER has nurtured researchers shaping policy & progress.
More on our journey: go.unu.edu/o6Ewi
#WIDER40 #UNUAlumni #UNUat50
Picture of Thanh Bui in a dark jacket and red scarf stands outdoors, with the quote "The UNU-WIDER PhD Fellowship sharpened my empirical research skills and expanded my understanding of development issues". In addition, a UNU@50 logo on the bottom.
Quote from Thanh Bui: "The UNU-WIDER PhD Fellowship sharpened my empirical research skills, expanded my understanding of development issues and offered valuable feedback from leading researchers, greatly influencing my research direction and academic confidence". Colorful background and UNU@50 logo on the bottom.
Former Visiting PhD Fellow Thanh Bui is now a Lecturer at University of St Andrews, researching education, health & labour market policies. 🌍 For 40 years, UNU-WIDER has supported building skills, networks & policy impact. More on our journey: go.unu.edu/o6Ewi #WIDER40 #UNUAlumni #UNUat50
Our 40-year anniversary reception in South Africa was one evening, but the partnerships behind UNU-WIDER’s work have been built & strengthened over many years. This short recap shares some of the voices who make it possible. Thank you to all who joined us.
More information: go.unu.edu/XX1ll #WIDER40
Portrait of Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen
Portrait of Lal Jayawardena
Book cover of 'Apostles of Development' by David C Engerman
📚 Excited to see the new book, Apostles of Development, featuring key figures in UNU-WIDER's history!
The book highlights:
✨ Amartya Sen - founding member
✨ Lal Jayawardena - our first Director
✨ Mahbub ul Haq - Board member
👉 go.unu.edu/NNbOY
#WIDER40
Celebrating 40 years of UNU-WIDER!
From expanding access to tax data📊 to shaping debates on inequality, our partnerships in South Africa have shown the power of shared knowledge.
We celebrate these achievements at our #WIDER40 reception in Johannesburg on 25 Sept.
🔗 go.unu.edu/XX1ll
UNU WIDER's 40th anniversary logo featuring elegant curves and the slogan "The power of shared knowledge" against a green background.
As a part of our #WIDER40 celebrations, we are hosting a reception in Johannesburg on 25 September!
Marking years of collaboration in South Africa, from #SATIED to government institutions and research institutes, we reflect on shared research & policy impact. 🔎 More info: go.unu.edu/Csu5j
Our first WIDER Development Conference was held in 2001, with a focus on Growth and Poverty. Since then, our conferences have addressed the world's most pressing development challenges — next year in New Delhi!
👉 Want to contribute? Submit your paper!
🔗 go.unu.edu/Um5MF
#WIDER40 #WIDERDevConf2026
Over 40 years, WIDER has shaped influential research. Our 2008 book 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘞𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢 𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 revealed the richest 2% own over half of global wealth.
Hear from our former Director Anthony Shorrocks how the book made waves!
Read the book: go.unu.edu/biPGm
#WIDER40
For 40 years, UNU-WIDER has advanced shared knowledge for impact. In May 2026, @apvjustino.bsky.social will become our next Director, guiding the next chapter.
🎥 “The goal … is to harness the power of shared knowledge to improve lives.”
Full video: go.unu.edu/AdMqr #WIDER40
40 years of building a global network 🌐🧑🔬
UNU-WIDER operates globally through a network of expert partners. As Joseph Stiglitz explains, WIDER nurtures richer dialogue by connecting researchers worldwide.
Watch the full video on the global nature of our network ➡️ go.unu.edu/PEdIv
#WIDER40
UNU-WIDER—or WILDER? 🤔
As Nobel Laureate and UNU-WIDER's co-founder Amartya Sen, WIDER was more than an acronym—it was a vision for equity, ethics, and interdisciplinary research.
Since 1985, we’ve stayed true to that mission. Check out the video to learn more: go.unu.edu/wkPd1
#WIDER40
For 40 years, UNU-WIDER has advanced development economics with real-world impact.
Hear from researchers whose careers and policy impact have grown through data and collaboration at UNU-WIDER.
🎥 Watch the stories: go.unu.edu/kKK8t
#WIDER40
Cover of the book, Social Security in Developing Countries, by Ehtisham Ahmad, Jean Drèze, John Hills, Amartya Sen
The book that shifted the development debate 📘🌍
"Social Security in Developing Countries" challenged the idea that social security is just for wealthy nations. It shows how inclusive systems can boost resilience in the Global South.
Read here: go.unu.edu/3jMuQ
#WIDER40
Picture of Kunal Sen speaking with a logo of UN80, and text "At UNU-WIDER, we believe in the power of shared knowledge."
Blue graphic of the globe with a text 'Building out future together' over it, in the lower corners there are hashtags #UN80 and #OneUNFinland, as well as UN80 logo.
Logo collage for "One UN Finland," featuring various UN agencies and partners based in Finland.
As UN celebrates 80 years of global cooperation, we at UNU-WIDER mark 40 years of shared knowledge.
For 4 decades, our research has bridged knowledge gaps from Helsinki to the Global South.
Building our future together as part of #OneUNFinland. 🇫🇮
#UN80 #WIDER40
In 1986, UNU-WIDER challenged IMF orthodoxy, showing that some policies harmed growth. The bold stance led some to call WIDER "WILDER”. Forty years on, we’re still asking tough questions and amplifying new voices in global development. #WIDER40
👉 go.unu.edu/cbZU1
In 1985, UNU-WIDER first opened its doors. This video traces our journey and impact, spotlighting bold ideas, key moments, and our strong belief that shared knowledge can drive transformative change.
👉 Watch now: go.unu.edu/AdMqr
#WIDER40
Not all hardship is visible. In Senegal, many families are just above the poverty line—one shock away from falling into poverty.
Check out Oscar Barriga-Cabanillas' insights on a vulnerability map for targeted support in our new blog: go.unu.edu/Tq8Jy
#WIDERDevConf2025 #WIDER40
