Conference on “Public Debt: Past Lessons, Future Challenges”

07/11/2024 (Conferences)

In the aftermath of the global financial crisis and the covid pandemic, public debt increased significantly. Along with higher interest rates and the fiscal implications of demographic, geopolitical and environmental challenges, this trend has rekindled concerns over sovereign debt in both advanced and developing economies. This one-day conference brings together academics, policy makers and practitioners to analyse the history, evolution, and prospects of public debt, from both Greek and international comparative perspectives. Sessions are evenly divided between long-term historical approaches and presentations on recent experiences and policy challenges. Opening remarks by the Governor of the Bank of Greece, Yannis Stournaras, will be followed by a keynote lecture by Barry Eichengreen, Professor of Economics and Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley. The conference will conclude with two round table discussions. The first will be devoted to the interaction between debt and monetary policy and will include Governor Yannis Stournaras, Philip R. Lane (ECB executive board) and Pablo Hernández de Cos (former Governor of the Bank of Spain). The second will bring together the Greek Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, Governor Yannis Stournaras, and Nikos Vettas (Director General of the Foundation of Economic and Industrial Research, IOBE) for a conversation on the future of the Greek economy.

The conference is open to the public (online registration is required, register here).

Registration is open until Tuesday, 5 November 2024. All conference sessions will be in English.

Venue: Bank of Greece Head Office

General Assembly Hall, 2nd floor

21 El. Venizelos str., Athens

(Valid passport or photo ID required for entry)

Program outline:

09:30 Welcome speech

Katerina Spyrou, Director, Centre for Culture, Research and Documentation of the Bank of Greece

09:35 Opening address

Yannis Stournaras, Governor of the Bank of Greece

10:00 Keynote lecture by Barry Eichengreen, University of California, Berkeley