Annual Lecture in Economics 2025 – A Physical Event
Tuesday 27 May 2025
18:00-19:45
Venue: University of Cyprus Campus, University House Anastasios G. Leventis, Room B108
Facing the New Realities: Economic Policies for the Left Behind
Speaker: Sir Paul Collier, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford and co-director of the International Growth Centre.
Chair: Ioannis Tirkides – Economic Research Manager at Bank of Cyprus and President the Cyprus Economic Society.
Abstract: In this lecture, Professor Collier will draw on his recent book, Left Behind, to describe the extraordinary widening divergence between successful societies and those mired in violence and poverty. Over the past decade, many places have fallen behind, including neglected regions of rich countries and entire countries of the poor. Since Trump’s election in the United States, the world faces new challenges. In many countries, including the speaker’s own, the UK, governments and ruling elites are having to confront uncomfortable realities they have long preferred to ignore. Policies on defense, infrastructure, immigration, and income distribution are all being rethought. While these changes have suddenly become urgent, many should have been implemented years ago. The pace of the journey from denial to acceptance depends on whether influential individuals use their power to change the mindset of society. As always, the crucial choice for the well-connected elite is between a better future for themselves at the expense of the weak, or a better future for all. The speaker’s working life has been spent dealing with elites who choose the former, but only the latter offers sustainable success.

Discussion Forum – A Physical Event
Friday 21 March 2025
18:00-19:30
Venue: Stelios Philanthropic Foundation Head Quarters, 5 Markou Drakou Street, Nicosia
Developments and risks in crypto-asset markets
Speaker: Constantinos Stephanou – Head of Financial Stability Analysis, Financial Stability Board
Moderator: Sofronis Clerides – Professor of Economics, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management University of Cyprus
Abstract: Crypto-asset market prices reached a historic peak in early 2025, though they have dropped since then and continue to be very volatile. New use cases are emerging, especially for stablecoins, and there is greater interest in this market among investors, leading to growing linkages with the economy and financial system. Drawing on the work carried out at the Financial Stability Board (FSB) and reported to the G20, the lecture will focus on recent crypto-asset market developments and their implications, the main financial stability concerns at the present juncture, and efforts to regulate crypto-assets at the global level.

Event Material
Presentation: Constantinos Stephanou