To mark its 20th anniversary, the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), in collaboration with Community Jameel, organised a two-day symposium at the Collège de France in Paris which convened co-founders and co-directors of J-PAL, Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, alongside researchers, policy makers, social work pioneers, funders and the general public to discuss the role of scientific research outputs in shaping development and social policy aimed at poverty alleviation in different settings and contexts. During the course of the two days, the symposium focused on the efforts of J-PAL in Europe, and in particular on its initiatives in France and Spain, as well as its work across the continent through the European Social Inclusion Initiative. It also hosted a special forum to discuss the current challenges that stand in the way of poverty eradication efforts around the world and the role of research in providing innovative development solutions.