NTT convened a two-day virtual discussion in 2025 to present research emerging from its Macroeconomic Fellowship. The convening brought together economists, researchers, civil society actors, and policymakers to engage with critical questions at the intersection of macroeconomic policy and socioeconomic rights in Sri Lanka.

Across multiple sessions, fellows presented their research, followed by reflections from senior economists and practitioners. The discussions explored issues such as regional inequalities in growth; governance; and accountability gaps; labour rights within export-oriented sectors; the gendered impacts of tax reforms; and the implications of trade policies on informal livelihoods.

The convening was designed not only as a platform for presenting research but as a space for dialogue and critical engagement. Participants were invited to reflect on how macroeconomic decisions shape lived realities, particularly for communities facing multiple and intersecting vulnerabilities.

As part of its broader discourse-building work, NTT initiated the Macroeconomic Fellowship to address the gap in economic policy research grounded in a human rights framework. The convening reinforced the importance of connecting rigorous, independent research with community realities, ensuring that policy debates remain informed by the experiences and needs of those most affected. A compilation of the Fellowship papers will be launched in the coming weeks.