One of the main achievements of humanity, at least judging by the magnitude of the transformations, is the improvement of the material well-being of hundreds of millions of people. However, the promise of sustained, sustainable and inclusive economic progress faces major challenges. Even the strongest economies do not seem prepared to combat the pressing problems of our time, such as persistent or increasing levels of inequality, political polarization, the impacts of new technologies or the implications of climate change.

One of the main achievements of humanity, at least judging by the magnitude of the transformations, is the improvement of the material well-being of hundreds of millions of people. However, the promise of sustained, sustainable and inclusive economic progress faces major challenges. Even the strongest economies do not seem prepared to combat the pressing problems of our time, such as persistent or increasing levels of inequality, political polarization, the impacts of new technologies or the implications of climate change.

Recognize this economic crisis, the Center for Economic Development Studies (CEDE) at the Faculty of Economics of the University of the Andes, responded to the invitation from the Ford Foundation, following in the footsteps of the Hewlett Foundation, to reimagine capitalism and acknowledge that this crisis demands a profound rethinking of the economy, in a multidisciplinary effort.

To contribute to this effort, CEDE created the TREES – Teaching and Researching Equitable Economics from the South initiative in 2022, with initial funding from the Ford Foundation. An initiative that seeks to investigate, teach and disseminate knowledge about inequalities, in a broad sense, and from the global south. TREES will challenge existing ideas in the economics profession and encourage the exploration of new knowledge in collaboration with other disciplines, institutions and countries.