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 Lead
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.
Research
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.
Our publications
Explore our commentary, policy briefs and research papers relating to inclusive growth and rural development.
Research highlights
Discover our current and recently completed research projects addressing critical challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. From advancing financial and digital inclusion for vulnerable populations to fostering innovative rural development strategies, our work aims to enhance well-being, promote equitable growth, and drive sustainable economic and social progress.
Agribusiness
Indo-Pacific Initiative for Sustainable Animal Health Cooperation
Community of practice for financial inclusion
Enhancing the ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation in the Pacific
Using satellite imagery to build climate resilience for seaweed farmers in Indonesia
Inclusive digital economies: Case studies for policymakers
Reimagining collaboration in the Australian and Vietnam beef cattle sectors
Strengthening WASH supply chains to support health and resilience in Vanuatu
Pakistan's National Financial Literacy Program for Youth case study
Bridging the digital divide by enhancing effective usage of digital financial products and services
Strengthening small-scale agricultural exports to China
Tonga National Digital Innovation Launchpad
Global burden of animal disease initiative: Indonesia case study
Improving smallholder farmer incomes in southern Vietnam
Harnessing Digital Technology for Financial Inclusion—Policy Guidebook
Rapid transformation of the Lao beef sector: biosecurity, trade and smallholders
Supporting APEC’s policymakers to progress financial inclusion
Our researchers
- Ron Bevacqua
- Professor Robert Bianchi
- Professor Naomi Birdthistle
- Professor Kerry Bodle
- Professor Caitlin Byrne
- Professor Andreas Chai
- Professor Ivan Diaz-Rainey
- Assoc Prof Sameer Deshpande
- Dr L. Fernando Distadio
- Professor Susan Harris Rimmer
- Shawn Hunter
- Dr Md Sayed Iftekhar
- Professor Shireenjit Johl
- Dr Amber Marshall
- Dr Lili Mi
- Dr Athula Naranpanawa
- Assoc Prof Tess Newton Cain
- Dr Akihiro Omura
- Dr Anya Phelan
- Assoc Prof Robin Roberts
- Professor Selva Selvanathan
- Professor Saroja Selvanathan
- Assoc Prof Dominic Smith
- Professor Dian Tjondronegoro
- Mr Bob Trojan
- Dr Erin Watson
- Dr Steffen Westermann
- Dr Victor Wong
Our partners
Access Advisory
APEC Business Advisory Council
Asia Beef Network
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Asian Development Bank
Asian Development Bank Institute
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
National Research and Innovation Agency
Citi Foundation
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Development Bank of Samoa
Development Bank of Solomon Islands
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Federated States of Micronesia Development Bank
Foundation for Development Cooperation
International Law Institute
Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development
Meat and Livestock Australia
MicroSave Consulting
Mobiva
National Institute of Banking and Finance
National University of Laos
Regov Technologies
Sancy Solutions
United Nations Capital Development Fund
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Universitas Gadjah Mada