BACKGROUND:

Kosovo is small developing country in Western Balkans seeking its route towards sustainable development and catching up with other European countries. Currently, Kosovo reaches only about 50% of average GDP per capita of its neighbors and less than 10% of the average European GDP per capita. Through its difficult past it experienced huge disinvestment and deindustrialization during 90s and a long status quo under the UNMIK administration (1999-2007) until it proclaimed its independence on February 17, 2008.

Kosovo is rich with human resources and has a young population (63% below the age of 30). It is also rich with natural resources (coal-lignite, lead, zinc, nickel) but it faces serious difficulties to transform these resources into long term and sustainable development. With a GDP per capita of about 2,800 Euros, an unemployment rate of around 30%, almost 30% of the population under the poverty line, a current account deficit of around 6% of GDP (mainly driven by a huge trade deficit), budget revenues reaching around 28% of GDP and investment about 28%, Kosovo is still to enter in to the phase of loge term sustainable growth to address the urgent needs of its citizens. Growth during 2002- 2005 was stagnant, and since 2006 the economy has only grown between 2 – 5%. An annual growth rate of 7% is required to create space for ameliorating current macroeconomic imbalances, eradicate poverty and reduce unemployment. This situation puts policy makers and other key actors at the Kosovar society under heavy pressure.

The evidence of the experiences of other developing countries and especially former developing economies has shown that good governance and good policies could create environment in which higher growth and sustainable development could take place.

OBJECTIVES:

(1) To explore and present new knowledge and advanced experiences in activating sources of economic growth in an open underdeveloped market economy – with special reference to Kosovo
(2) To promote research activities in Kosovo related to economic and social development
(3) To strengthen relationships and partnerships with academic circles and developmental experts throughout Europe, US and beyond, and with international organizations.

KEY CONFERENCE TOPICS:

(1) Development and Institutions
(2) Human Capital, Intellectual Capital and Social Capital
(3) Industrial Policies
(4) Natural Resources: a Curse or a Blessing
(5) Absorptive Capacities for Investment and Job Creation
(6) EU Integration and Regional Economic Cooperation
(7) Infrastructure and Utilities
(8) Agriculture and Rural Development
(9) High Value Added Services

FORMAT:

The Conference will be organized in plenary sessions and workshops where contributions will be presented and discussed. The format of the workshops will be based on the number of papers accepted for the conference and the topics covered.

PAPERS:

Papers should follow academic format and there will be per review by a special Conference Committee. Policy oriented papers will also be accepted, but they will not exceed 20% of total papers to be presented in the conference.

Requirements for Abstract Submission

- Structure of the Abstract
- Title of the Article
- Full first name of the author and the family name
- Author’s working place
- Abstract of the article (maximum 1 page long)
- Keywords
- The page margins – 2 cm overall, Times New Roman, 12pt for the text, single space between the lines.

 Requirements for the Final Paper: Structure of the Final Paper:

- Title of the article
- Full first name of the author and the family name
- Author’s working place
- Abstract of the article (maximum 1 page long)
- Keywords
- Introduction, indicating the article’s scientific problem, novelty, aim, tasks, object, research methods
- Text of the article
- Conclusions
- List of References (no less 25 of significant scientific works)
- The page margins – 2 cm overall, Times New Roman, 12pt for the text, single space between the lines.
- The Final paper should be 8-10 pages long
Conference date: 15-17 May 2015
Venue: Prishtina, Kosovo Contact: agon.nixha@riinvestinstitute.org

IMPORTANT DATES:

- 8 March 2015: Submission of abstracts
- 20 April 2015: Submission of papers
- 5 May 2015: Publication of the conference agenda