CAMBRIDGE, MA – In a gathering that highlighted two decades of remarkable achievements in poverty alleviation, Hassan Jameel, vice chairman of Community Jameel, delivered an opening speech for the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab’s (J-PAL) 20th anniversary at MIT. His address celebrated the lab’s global impact and its unwavering commitment to improving lives.

Jameel expressed immense gratitude for J-PAL’s dedication to social change, acknowledging the lab’s influential role in transforming policy and practice in the fight against poverty. Over the past 20 years, J-PAL has rigorously evaluated anti-poverty interventions, influencing decisions that have positively impacted over 600 million lives worldwide.

With an audience of esteemed professors, government officials, and NGO representatives, Hassan Jameel emphasized Community Jameel’s ongoing commitment to supporting J-PAL. The partnership, which started with J-PAL’s founding economists, Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, has been instrumental in scaling the lab’s initiatives globally.

Reflecting on J-PAL’s growth, Jameel noted the lab’s expansion to seven offices worldwide, employing hundreds of staff and affiliates. He highlighted the significance of J-PAL’s evidence-based approach, especially as the world grapples with challenges such as climate change and economic inequality.

Hassan Jameel also introduced new initiatives, such as policy labs in India, Egypt, and South Africa, reaffirming Community Jameel’s dedication to fostering sustainable development. He underscored the importance of collaboration in addressing global challenges, urging continued efforts to uplift those most vulnerable.

As J-PAL charts its future course, Hassan Jameel’s words served as a powerful reminder of the collective impact that innovative solutions and strategic partnerships can achieve in creating a more equitable world.