The multi-faceted nature of the challenges our societies face, as well as the inherent scale and complexity of the issues, requires the mobilization of multiple disciplines, and the utilization of quantitative techniques in order to arrive to a meaningful diagnosis and policy prescriptions. That in turn requires that many people learn to work well across disciplinary boundaries, and to be able to use quantitative techniques. Thus, the demand for quantitative analysis within sectors and across all sectors is steadily growing.

Moreover, there is a general recognition that there are few analysts that master quantitative techniques in Egypt and in Africa. Accordingly, there was an urge to organize a special conference that would have the following objectives:

• To exchange ideas and conduct ensuing discussions throughout the conference days that would allow us to address some of the tough developmental questions of our time and could help build bridges across disciplines – including the social and natural sciences as well as the humanities – while we harness the best analysis for meeting development challenges.
• To bring together the leading quantitative analysts in Egypt who are working in different aspects of development, including project evaluation – noting that this will likely become the nucleus of a future network of quantitative analysts in Egypt;
• To bring some of the leading international expertise in quantitative techniques to join this conference, including the best specialists from Africa; and
• To cover a broad range of quantitative techniques needed to address different aspects of socio-economic development.