EVENTS 2021

Discussion Forum – web event
Thursday 9 December 2021
17:30-18:45
The Economics of the EU Climate Action Plan for 2030
Speaker: Elisabetta Cornago, Research Fellow at the Centre for European Reform.
Chair: Ioannis Tirkides – Economic Research Manager, Bank of Cyprus, and President of the Cyprus Economic Society
Abstract: Climate action is not only about setting targets, but more importantly it is about the path to achieve those targets. Which is the essence of Europe’s climate action policies that are entailed in the ‘Fit-For-55’ package, released by the European Commission last July. This includes a large number of policies under 13 distinct proposals with multiple implications for businesses and for consumers. It is a whole economy effort, a comprehensive package covering all industries of the economy. We will be discussing with Elisabetta Cornago, Research Fellow at the Centre for European Reform. Her work focuses on EU energy and climate policy from an economics perspective. Prior to joining the Centre for European Reform, Elisabetta worked as an environmental economist at the OECD.


Conference and Panel Discussion – web event
Thursday 18 November 2021
17:00-18:30
Behavioural Economics: Nudging in theory and Practice
Speakers:
Renos Vakis – Lead Economist, Poverty and Equity Global Practice, World Bank
Melina Moleskis – Economic Advisor and Visiting Professor at Neapolis University Paphos
Elena Karkoti – Officer A, Department of Strategy, International Relations and Communications, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission
Chair: Marios Clerides – Economist, formerly CEO of the Cyprus Cooperative Bank; Group Senior general Manager, Hellenic Bank; Former Executive Chairman, CSEC
Abstract: Behavioural Economics dismisses the idea that economic agents are all rational and adopt instead the idea that cognitive biases influence behaviour and decision making. ‘Nudging’ is the use of behavioural insights as a public policy tool. Firms have long employed behavioural science to shape their customers’ behaviour. Now, national governments and international organisations like the World Bank, increasingly do the same. The discussion forum will explore the principles and applications of behavioural science and nudging, including cases of application in Cyprus.

Event Materials
Presentation: Marios Clerides
Presentation: Renos Vakis
Presentation: Melina Moleskis
Presentation: Elena Karkotis


Discussion Forum – web only event
Thursday 11 November 2021
Time: 17:00-18:15
Global Energy Markets: The New Landscape and What it Means
Speaker: Charles Ellinas, CEO of energy consultancy e-CNHC and non-resident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center.
Chair: Ioannis Tirkides – Economic Research Manager, Bank of Cyprus, and President of the Cyrus Economic Society
Abstract: Europe is going through its worse energy-price, crisis of the recent years and in this discussion event, we are asking the basic questions. What are the roots of this crisis; how long the crisis will last; what are its social implications; what are the challenges the crisis and the responses will be posing to the overall climate agenda in Europe; what are some of the geopolitics of the energy crisis especially in relation to the supply of Russian gas to Europe and the pipeline network including Nord Stream 2; what can we do to in order to prevent these situations from becoming a new normal in Europe; and what it means for east-med gas? We are discussing these questions and more.

Event Materials
Presentation: Charles Ellinas


Discussion Forum – web event and physical event available for a limited number of seats
Friday 5 November 2021
Time: 17:30-19:00
COP26 And the Political Economy of Climate Change Policies
Speaker: Yiannis Kitromilides – Associate Member of the Cambridge Centre of Economic and Public Policy, Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge
Chair: Ioannis Tirkides – Economic Research Manager, Bank of Cyprus, and President of the Cyprus Economic Society
Abstract: The COP26 climate conference in Glasgow this November, will highlight the commitment toward climate initiatives in the developed world, and outline new goals and progress achieved since the Paris Accord of 2015. At the same time however, climate funding will be a dividing issue. Despite the urgency and severity of climate change, financial limitations in the developing world will be limiting their progress toward their climate targets. Climate transition is hotly debated and will have far reaching implications for countries and policies. In this event we will be discussing with Professor Yiannis Kitromilides on the political economy of the climate transition.


Conference and Panel Discussion – web event
Thursday 21 October 2021
Time: 17:00-19:45
The Significance of being Financially Literate and National Strategies for Achieving it
Introduction: Constantinos Herodotou – Governor, the Central Bank of Cyprus
Speakers:
Chiara Monticone – Senior Policy Analyst, OECD
Dennis Philip – Professor in Finance, Durham University, UK
Discussant: George Kyriacou – Director of Economic Analysis and Research, Central Bank of Cyprus
Chair: Ioannis Tirkides – Economic Research Manager, Bank of Cyprus
Abstract: Financial literacy is of vital importance now, compared to the past given the changes that occurred in the different sectors of the economy. There are more opportunities to invest in financial markets and also more opportunities to borrow. Pension systems, education and healthcare are transforming. In pensions we are moving away from defined benefit. The critical question is, to what extent are people financially literate given the rising need to make financial decisions in constantly changing circumstances? What is financial literacy, and does it matter for those decisions? Moreover, which policies or programmes can influence financial literacy?


Discussion Forum – web event
Thursday 14 October 2021
Time: 18:00-19:15
The German Elections and What It Means for Europe
Speaker: Christian Odendahl, Chief Economist, the Centre for European Reform
Chair: Andreas Charalambous – Economist, former Director Financial Stability, Ministry of Finance
Abstract: Germany is the largest economy in Europe and a key decision maker in the EU. The German elections will therefore influence not only domestic policy in Germany but also developments in the EU and world-wide. Germany will have to deal with an uneven recovery from the Covid pandemic; fiscal policies, including taxation; policies for climate change; and with the process and pace of European integration, including the completion of the banking union and how future programmes will be funded. The election will be also important for Germany’s cooperation with Mediterranean Europe, for defence cooperation and for relations with the United States, China, and Russia. This and other matters will be the subject of the discussion forum.

Event Materials
Event Summary: The German Elections and What It Means for Europe


Book Presentation and Discussion – web event
Wednesday, 30 June 2021
Time: 17:30-19:00
Money, Credit, and Crises: Understanding the Modern Banking System, (palgrave macmillan, 2021)
Book presentation: Ioannis Tirkides – Chief Economist Bank of Cyprus, and President of the Cyprus Economic Society
Author’s comments: Nektarios Michail – Economist, Department of Economic Analysis and Research, Central Bank of Cyprus
Chair: Marios Clerides – Economist, formerly CEO of the Cyprus Cooperative Bank; Group Senior general Manager, Hellenic Bank; Former Executive Chairman, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission


Annual General Meeting – web event (Members only)
Thursday, 17 June 2021
Time: 17:30-19:30
Cyprus Economic Society Annual General Meeting for 2020
Programme: introduction and quorum / annual report 2020 / annual accounts 2020 / membership report / strategic issues / open discussion


Annual Lecture in Economics 2021 – web event
Wednesday, 9 June 2021
Time: 17:30-19:00
The European Project after the Pandemic
Speaker: Marco Buti, Chief of Staff of the Commissioner for the Economy, former Director-General for Economic and Financial Affairs at the European Commission
Introduction: Ioannis Tirkides – Chief Economist Bank of Cyprus, and President of the Cyprus Economic Society
Chair: Andreas Charalambous – Economist, former Director Financial Stability, Ministry of Finance


Discussion Forum – web event
Wednesday, 19 May 2021
Time: 17:30-19:00
Next Generation EU – The Cyprus National Recovery Plan 2021-26
Speaker: George Panteli – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Republic of Cyprus
Chair: Ioannis Tirkides – Chief Economist Bank of Cyprus, and President of the Cyprus Economic Society
Language: Greek


Discussion Forum – web event
Wednesday, 21 April 2021
Time: 17:30-19:00
International Economic Recovery from Covid-19 and Building a Greener Economy
Speaker: Tom Strachan – Deputy Chief Economist, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Offices
Discussant: Marios Clerides, Economist
Chair: Ioannis Tirkides – Chief Economist Bank of Cyprus, and President of the Cyprus Economic Society

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Discussion Forum – web event
Wednesday, 14 April 2021
The Magic Money Tree and the Modern Monetary Theory – Do Deficits Matter?
Speakers
Yiannis Kitromilides – Associate Member of the Cambridge Centre of Economic and Public Policy, Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge.


Panel Discussion – web event
Thursday, 25 February 2021
The United Kingdom in the World After Brexit
Speakers
Stephen Lillie – The British High Commissioner to Cyprus
Kevin Featherstone – Eleftherios Venizelos Professor in Contemporary Greek Studies and Professor in European Politics, the European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science; Director of the Hellenic Observatory
Iain Begg – Professorial Research Fellow and Co-Director of the Dahrendorf Forum, European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science
Moderator
Ioannis Tirkides – Economic Research Manager, Bank of Cyprus


Conference – web event
Thursday, 4 February 2021
The Annual Economy Panel: Outlook and risks in a pandemic world
Speakers
Ioannis Tirkides – Economic Research Manager, Bank of Cyprus
Andreas Charalambous – Economist, Formerly Director of Financial Stability, Ministry of Finance
George Kyriacou – Director of Economic Analysis and Research, Central Bank of Cyprus
George Syrichas – Advisor, Economic Research Centre, University of Cyprus
Andreas Assiotis – Chief Economist, Hellenic Bank