CONFERENCE THEMES

The Eighth International Conference "Challenges of Europe" will focus on two central themes:

• THEME I.
  EUROPE AND FINANCIAL CRISIS
   
• THEME II.
  CLIMATE CHANGE

Whether we speak of the New EU Member States, candidate countries or future candidates, we can say that major Europe-related challenges are to a great extent setting the agenda for policy reform and economic restructuring. From legislative harmonization to adaptation to economic life within the EU and its single market, all of the former transition countries, whether EU members or not, face significant challenges. In addition, the EU itself is in flux, with new governance mechanisms up in the air thanks to the failure of the proposed Constitution and the Irish no vote on the Lisbon Treaty.

Furthermore, the financial crisis has added new urgency to reform, and in and of itself poses profound questions about the economic and financial systems. For this reason, this year's conference seeks papers that provide new empirical or theoretical research to address the causes of the crisis, its effects, and possible legislative and policy solutions.

This year's conference also seeks papers on the broad issue of the economic causes, consequences and solutions to climate change. In the long-term, it is clear that climate change presents a crucial problem, and many argue that solutions must be sought now. In this spirit, the conference will provide a forum for discussion of economic issues related to climate change.

Detailed topics:

1. Macroeconomic challenges of the crisis and European policy: monetary and fiscal policy in the crisis; the timing and desirability of Euro adoption, including the impact of the crisis on the decision; fiscal policy and the future of the Stability Pact during and after the crisis.
2. Challenges in regulation, including financial regulation, regulation of competition and other fields, in light of the crisis and the challenges of climate change; analysis of existing and proposed accounting practices and standards in the EU accession process and in the EU itself, and effects of law, regulation and accounting standards on firms and markets.
3. Challenges of management and marketing in the single market
4. Microeconomic causes of the financial crisis, and the future of banking and finance in Europe; the role of government in stabilizing and restructuring the financial industry.
5. Economic approaches to the estimation and mitigation of risks and consequences caused by climate change
6. Economic issues involved in creating environmentally-sustainable business practices and models, regulations and economic instruments aimed at preventing and coping with climate change.
7. Framework for fostering the emergence of the European lead market: renewable energies.
8. Institutional frameworks and policies regarding water management across European countries.

Naturally, all papers discussing other challenging topics related to the contemporary economics thought will be considered as well.