Events

Economics is too important to be left to economists. Do you agree?

Then join our expert seminar “Economics at the service of society” on 22-23 November in Brussels! and spread the word to your network!

COFACE Families Europe will bring together economists, finance specialists, social policy-makers and service providers to look at the wider systemic factors which create barriers to supporting families.

We feel that civil society organisations thrive when it comes to defending high moral and ethical principles and defending the general interest, but discussing economics directly takes the wind out of their sails. Therefore, this expert seminar aims at learning to sail against the wind, navigating in the murky and obscure economics waters in order to increase the odds of translating ideals into practice and make a difference in the lives of European citizens.

The seminar will have three parts:
• The first part will look at the state of play of the economic and financial system. Where are we now? How did we get here? What are the problems we are struggling with? Where are we heading? What are the implications for civil society and social policies?
• The second part will examine concrete measures at the local/micro-economic level and how these measures impact people directly, bridging macro-economic policy orientations with social policy measures on the ground. Namely childcare, long-term care and financial services.
• The third part will explore innovative and ground breaking solutions that could revolutionise our current economic systems for better or for worse. While most of our effort is always to look at how we can “tweak” the current system to work better and in the interest of citizens, we should not shy away from looking at alternatives and new ways of thinking.

This seminar is perfect for anyone who dreams of a better society, but has always avoided looking at the “hard economics” side, and leaving it to the “experts”, only to find out later, that economics was the wrench thrown into otherwise perfect policy recommendations.

Lastly, on the evening of 22nd November we will unwind over drinks & snacks and a debate with Mike Goodwin and Dan E. Burr, authors of “ECONOMIX: How our economy works (and doesn’t work) in words and pictures.”

See full programme for more information.

Registrations are now open.