Global economic crisis conference
Prior to the collapse of Lehmann Brothers' and escalation of the credit crunch, the price of oil and other commodities dominated economic headlines. Oil at $147 per barrel and soaring food prices led political instability in some developing countries and tough policy choices in all. Today oil is trading at $50 per barrel, not because of advances in the energy sector but due to a sharp decline in global economic activity. Some of the symptoms may have disappeared but the problems still remain.
This is why I am delighted that BE Budapest has undertaken this endevour, which aims to explore policy responses to pertinent economic issues. How can energy and climate security be achieved? What practical steps can Europe take to help ensure global food security and promote international development. And how can we develop international institutions that are effective in today's reality?
This series will raise the profile of these issues locally and regionally, bringing together policy-makers, academics and figures from business and the third sector.
The first seminar 'Global Economic Crisis: challenges and opportunities for Europe – framing the context' will set the context for the series with a key note speech from Andrew Cahn, Chief Executive of UK Trade and Industry.
The second event 'Promoting a high-growth, low-carbon economy in light of energy and climate security' will explore the possibility of achieving a low-carbon economy, with a European and international outlook.
The third seminar 'Food and water security in the context of international development cooperation' will focus on EU international trade and development policy, particularly in relation to Doha.
The fourth and final seminar 'International institutional reform: global governance reflecting today’s economic realities' will be the opportunity for experts to discuss how international institutions should be reformed to reflect today's economic reality, and be more responsive to international economic issues.
As the world's closest union of both advanced and emerging economies, the EU is particularly well placed to develop a response to these issues. I look forward to seeing the contribution of this initiative between BE Budapest and the Central European University to the EU's policy debate.
Caroline Flint
Minister for Europe
SEMINAR SERIES
High-level event - 6 February 2009
Global economic crisis: challenges and opportunities for Europe – framing the context
This seminar will serve as a kick-off event with a focus on framing the wider policy context for energy and climate security, food and water security, and international institutional reform, in relation to the current economic crisis. The topics will be considered from a risk management perspective and the role of early warning measures will be touched upon.
Thematic topic 1 - 20 March 2009
Promoting a high-growth, low-carbon economy in light of energy and climate security
The central theme of this seminar will be how a low-carbon economy can be achieved in line with the EU budget reform starting in 2009-2010. This topic will also touch upon the issue of coordination of national policies and developing new EU policy tools to contribute to energy and climate security.
Thematic topic 2 - 30 April 2009
International development co-operation: food, water, trade
This seminar will focus on EU policies related to international trade negotiations, and will provide an outlook on prospects how the EU can help developing countries to strengthen food and water security through international development cooperation.
Thematic topic 3 and wrap-up event - 5 June 2009
International institutional reform: global governance reflecting today’s economic realities
This seminar will be the final, cross-cutting one in the series and will focus attention on international institutional reform in relation to the focal areas of energy, climate, food, and water security.
Venue of the seminars
Central European University - Auditorium
9 Nádor utca, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
There is no registration fee.
Simultaneous interpretation is provided during the conference.
Contact us
To register and for more information on this event please e-mail us on globaleconcrisis@ceu.hu
