Governments’ role in the economic growth process has never been more hotly debated than since the financial crisis extended its grip to become a public debt crisis. This has left governments in the unenviable position of choosing between austerity measures to reduce public debt and investment to support growth.

At a public lecture organised by the University of Luxembourg, guest speaker, Prof Philippe Aghion of Harvard University and former economic adviser to French President Francois Hollande, will argue that European governments need to be smart in designing economic growth measures.

The lecture entitled “Growth and Smart State: Implications for Growth Policy in Europe” will take place on Tuesday 14 January at the University’s Limpertsberg Campus, Salle Tavenas, 102, Av. Pasteur, L1511, Luxembourg, from 17:00.

According to Aghion, the main issue facing countries in the euro area is to address the challenge of reconciling growth with greater budgetary discipline. To achieve this governments and states must become strategic and innovative in adopting a new selective approach to public spending.

“Prof Aghion has made extensive research into the relationship between competition and innovation, and innovation and economic growth,” explains Prof Christos Koulovatianos of the University of Luxembourg, one of the event’s organisers.  “He has an important message for local and EU policymakers on how Europe can achieve sustainable economic recovery in this way.”

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The lecture will take place in English.
Prior registration is required by the 10th of January 2014 to crea-events@uni.lu.