Leaving no one behind
Since the 1990s, the Asia-Pacific region has seen significant economic growth, prompting significant socioeconomic shifts yet this prosperity hasn’t been equally shared. Poverty and unemployment persist, exacerbated by COVID-19, which highlighted inequalities, particularly for the most vulnerable. Governments’ emphasis on digitalisation risks excluding the poor, as digital access becomes essential for basic services and economic participation.
In response, the Griffith Asia Institute established the Inclusive Growth and Rural Development Hub in 2022, focusing on financial inclusion, digital access, and rural development to benefit marginalised populations. Collaborating with partners, including multilateral institutions and NGOs, the Hub facilitates research and capacity building.
Hub Leads
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is committed to advancing sustainable development through comprehensive initiatives that promote economic prosperity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and good governance for all.
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:
Our Impact
Overview
GAI’s Dr Hui Feng and Shawn Hunter talk about economic development and growth challenges and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region and why GAI is well placed to address these.
GAI’s Dr Hui Feng and Shawn Hunter talk about research and capacity-building programs around financial inclusion and digital technologies being undertaken at GAI.
Capacity-building programs, financial inclusion and digital technologies
Financial inclusion: Increasing access to safe, affordable, and high-quality formal financial products and services for those at the base of the economic pyramid and ensuring that usage has a positive impact on their well-being.
Digital inclusion: Ensuring that the most vulnerable and disadvantaged segment of society, including women and children, the elderly, those with disabilities, or micro-enterprises have opportunities and are capable of meaningful participation in the digital economy.
Rural development: Exploring innovative approaches to rural development to alleviate poverty, sustain food security, encourage economic growth and improve social equity across Asia Pacific.
Agribusiness
The Griffith Agribusiness research program delivers insights to improve and further develop an understanding of Australian and international trade and market systems directly related to agriculture. Researchers are engaged in applied studies in the areas of trade and marketing for fresh and processed foods in developed and developing countries across the region.
Shawn Hunter is the Industry Fellow and Director, Inclusive Growth Programs at the Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University.
To find out more, visit our website or email shawn.hunter@griffith.edu.au.