Over the last five years, we have seen the rise of a far-reaching global movement to dethrone GDP and its corresponding economic model of resource-intensive, distribution-blind, and highly-externalizing market growth. This movement is gaining traction in global institutions such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the OECD; among business leaders particularly in the larger emerging economies; and among political leaders in the United States, particularly at the state level. The first serious efforts at implementing alternatives to GDP as part of governance and policy development are now underway, and, at the same time, broader public awareness of the “GDP problem” is opening up significant new space for political debates about economic system change centered on well-being and sustainability, beyond market growth.  In the U.S. context, we are seeing significant traction at the state level, with 4 states recently adopting a Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), and leaders in 16 more states working to advance GPI initiatives in collaboration with a national network of researchers. In this session, we will hear from three active leaders in the Beyond GDP movement, combining an overview of global institutional progress with detailed U.S. political perspectives at the state level.

This conversation will be a great opportunity for NEC constituents to engage together on the principles and purposes of GPI and other alternative indicators, and to share ideas about the institutional and political challenges confronting the Beyond GDP movement as it moves from the concept stage into policy settings and real-life politics.

Collaborative live notes: https://commonbound.hackpad.com/Beyond-GDP-hELeHULHSdY