2025 Conference: Affording a Dignified Life on The Central Coast of California

This conference brings to attention what it takes to live a dignified life on the central coast of California. California is one of the most prosperous economies in the world. California’s GDP has grown by 125% over the last two and a half decades despite two significant downturns: the 2007-2009 recession and COVID-19. From 1997 to 2023, at constant prices in 2017, the state's GDP grew by 125% or a simple annual growth rate of 4.8%, which is only present in some of the fastest-growing emerging economies. This clearly shows that the economy of California has enjoyed vigorous growth, and the lingering question is how much of this strong growth has impacted the well-being and prosperity of its population. Have the state's people experienced a rising tide or even a trickle-down of better living conditions? Is California a land of opportunity for many of its people or a mirage of a better life that does not materialize for the majority? The conference looks at some relevant issues under the lens of the Central Coast of California. The conference will feature the release of a comprehensive study on what it takes to afford a dignified life on the central coast of California. 

Struggling individuals and families benefit from higher incomes only when those gains translate into greater purchasing power. When one speaks of economic improvements, we must ask a fundamental question: for whom has the economy improved? The starting line for empowering communities begins with progress toward an economic and social environment where everyone can meet their essential needs. This threshold should be set at a living wage, where people can afford their basic goods and services and begin to save.

Economic growth is an essential element of creating economic development, which is multi-faceted and a process that can transform social structures and attitudes towards constructive change, reduction of inequality, eradication of poverty, social justice, economic freedom, and defending the rights of the oppressed.  The studies and panel discussions highlight many issues not often discussed in our communities. This conference's most critical expected product is to highlight these issues and urgently reach policy implications that can be taken up within our local, county, or state governments, foundations, non-profits, and business communities. The time for action is now, and we need these policy implications to guide our next steps.

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Highlights of the Study:

"Affording a Dignified Life on The Central Coast of California"

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Presenter

Dr. Jamshid Damooei

  Professor & Director, Economics and Executive Director CESI

More About Dr. Jamshid Damooei

Jamshid Damooei is a Professor and Director of the Economics Program and Executive Director of the Center for Economics of Social Issues at California Lutheran University. He worked as a Senior Economist for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Senior Consultant for the UN.

In 2017, he was recognized by Huffington Post as an Iranian American for seminal contributions to his field of study. He has conducted more than 100 studies and written reports in various forms ranging from peer-reviewed to research projects commissioned by many for and non-profit organizations and foundations. In the last 25 years, his research has been focused on the economics of social issues, what he calls economic studies with a human face.

Panel Moderator

Dr. Sabith Khan

 Program Director, MPPA

More About Dr. Sabith Khan

Sabith Khan serves as the Program Director of the Masters of Public Policy and Administration program at Cal Lutheran University. He has a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech and an MPA and MA in International Relations from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, the country’s oldest and among the most prestigious Public Admin programs.

He is the author of an award-winning book on nonprofit management and also more recently, a book on remittances and international development, through Routledge, which looks at remittances across four countries: India, Saudi Arabia, the USA, and Mexico.