Structural Development Macroeconomics can be understood as an approach to the deep determinants of economic development in which the macroeconomic policy regime has a key role in explaining international growth rate differences, notably among middle-income countries. It strongly relies on a multidisciplinary but rigorous assessment of the subject. The research group was founded back in 2008, in the aftermath of the "Great financial crisis", and currently has more than thirty members from academic to policy circles in South America, Europe, and the United States. It is officially registered at the Directory of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and is certified by the University of Brasília.

The 1st SDMRG International Workshop is a joint initiative with the Graduate program in Political Economy of the University of Brasília, and represents a unique opportunity to discuss the latest research on various aspects of this complex project. The event is naturally intended to foster diversity in the approach and in the methodology used to analyse processes of catching-up and falling-behind. Safety restrictions due to the COVID-19 have not allowed the development of a conference in a more standard format. The organising committee thanks all participants and interested colleagues for their support in making this Online initiative to be possible.