The event will feature an opening speech by Erik Angner (Stockholm University), the author of How Economics Can Save the World, along with a panel discussion moderated by Magdelena Malecka from the Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies. Malecka is also an adjunct professor and project leader in university of Helsinki.
In addition to Erik Angner, the panel will consist of Outi Haanperä from The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, Minna Ylikännö from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, and Sixten Korkman, an esteemed economist. They will explore the question of whether economics can truly save the world, particularly focusing on economic solutions to challenging problems such as poverty and climate change.
In the book Erik Angner provides research-based economics solutions to several policy problems that societies are facing today.
“The fact that economics delivers solutions – and not just understanding – is particularly important in an era when we’re bombarded with information about the problems facing humankind. Economics can offer some degree of hope, where hope is in desperately short supply", Angner argues.
The solutions he offers to complex problems such as poverty and climate change are simple: hand out cash, and tax the polluters. N. Emrah Aydinonat (University of Helsinki), the leader of the ReSES Argumenta project on the other hand argues that by offering these simple remedies, Angner like some other economists might be creating a false sense of understanding about these difficult problems.
The panel discussion will delve deep into the solutions offered by Angner and by economists in general and discuss the complexities and limitations of using economics to tackle these issues. Focal points of the discussion will be poverty and climate change.
The event promises to be an engaging and insightful discussion, featuring interdisciplinary experts with varying perspectives on economics and its potential to shape our world. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session following the panel discussion.
Mark your calendars for April 28, from 5 pm to 7 pm 2023, and join us at Tiedekulma Stage for this exciting panel discussion. Admission is free and open to the public. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in a stimulating conversation about the potential of economics to save the world.