China has rapidly transformed itself into a modern, urban, technologically savvy economic powerhouse, and is now the world’s second-largest economy. But low levels of basic education pose a challenge for the future.

Authors Scott Rozelle and Natalie Hell draw on extensive surveys on the ground to examine how low education levels among China’s large rural population may make it difficult for many to find work in the formal economy as China’s economy continues to transform and manufacturing jobs move to other countries.

Join us to hear the views of one of the book’s authors and discussants on how understanding the situation in China today is essential to addressing this challenge.

Introductory Remarks

• Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI

Book Overview

• Scott Rozelle, Senior Fellow, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Helen F. Farnsworth Endowed Professorship, Stanford University (Presentation)

Discussants

• Huan Wang, Social Science Research Scholar at Rural Education Action Program (REAP), Stanford University (Presentation)
• Xiaobo Zhang, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI (Presentation)

Moderator

• Katarlah Taylor, Events Manager, IFPRI