Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic

November 28 -- 29, 2013

Conference Programme

Despite a stabilization at a low level, the economic performance in Europe is remaining rather weak, which resembles the Japanese scenario for future years. Therefore, the crisis of the European Economic and Monetary Union and its possible solutions will remain on the economic policy agenda also in year 2013. Economists and policy makers are discussing not only the efficiency of the emergency tools used during the crisis, but also the possible ways to stabilize the economic situation, reform the financial system and to accelerate the growth.

The Eurozone (and implicitly the EU as a whole) stand at the crossroad. Economic dynamics of the last few years revealed fissures in the European economic and increasingly political edifice. The vaunted achievement -- the common currency Euro -- proved itself to be a double-edged sword. On the one hand the common currency certainly contributed to the increased integration both in the real and the financial sectors. On the other hand, unsolved rigidities in the countries on the Mediterranean periphery acts more and more as an major obstacle to the internal engine of progress and economic growth.

Therefore, a thorough and open discussion of the 'eurozone future" is highly needed. This discussion has to explore its different definitions, including its institutional content and feasible structural arrangements, possible governance structures and, finally, the likely fragility of those institutional arrangements in the dynamic globalized economy of the 21st century. Last but not least, the issue of political arrangements which are compatible with the different models of "green and sustainable economic growth".

These issues will be address by the research and analysis at the conference at the Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, on November 28-29, 2013. Especially (but not exclusively) the following issues will be discussed:

1. Eurozone's Stabilization: Is it sustainable?
2. Eurozone's "Unions": Fiscal, Banking, Political?
3. Competitiveness convergence as the key to the Eurozone's survival?
4. EU Centered vs. Nation's Centered Reforms?
5. Growth and structural reforms
6. "Political Union" and budgetary transfers

The Format of the Conference:

The language of the conference is English. All submissions will be reviewed by independent experts in their fields. Selected papers will be presented in 7 to 8 sessions. Each presentation will be discussed. Selected papers and discussion contributions will be published in the form of a conference volume (book).

The conference will take place on the premises of the Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic. For the contributing participants, rooms will be reserved in Brno hotels. Registration costs (which do not include travel and lodging) are estimated today at Euro 190. 

Organizing Committee: Prof. Antonin Rusek, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, USA Prof. Dr. Jarko Fidrmuc, Zeppelin University Friedrichshafen, Germany, Assoc. Prof. Lubor Lacina, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic, Dr. Petr Rozmahel, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic

Important dates:

Deadline for submitting abstracts (350-500 words)    September 30^th,  2013

Notice of Acceptance                                                     October 14^th, 2013

Submission of the full paper:                                        November 1^st, 2013