Navigating the Future in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe
Demographics, Jobs and Growth
July 14-15, 2019
The IMF and the Croatian National Bank (CNB) joined efforts again to organize a new edition of the joint conference that took place in Dubrovnik two years ago. This year's conference focused on labor market and demographic challenges, the future of labor, and policies needed to sustain growth and promote convergence. The conference, held in Dubrovnik from July 14-15, was an opportunity to engage with key regional participants on these important topics.
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Sunday, July 14, 2019 |
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19:30 – 21:00 |
Welcome Dinner Introduction: |
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21:30 – 23:00 |
Concert |
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Monday, July 15, 2019 |
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8:30 – 9:00 |
Registration and Welcome Coffee |
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9:00 – 9:10 |
Introductory Remarks: Boris Vujčić, Governor, Croatian National Bank |
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9:10 – 9:30 |
Opening Remarks: Tao Zhang, Deputy Managing Director, IMF |
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9:30 – 9:40 |
Welcoming Remarks: Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister, Republic of Croatia |
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9:40 – 11:00 |
SESSION I: THE ECONOMIC EXPANSION AND LABOR MARKET BOTTLENECKS Key questions: Ten years after the global financial crisis, how has the economic recovery evolved in CESEE? Can high GDP growth be sustained given labor market bottlenecks? What are the challenges in the labor market and do they pose macroeconomic risks? What policies can address them?
Moderator: Hrvoje Krešić, Journalist, N1 televizija Panelists: Raul Eamets, Professor, University of Tartu Piotr Lewandowski, President of the Board, Institute for Structural Research Dubravko Mihaljek, Adviser, Bank for International Settlements Doris Ritzberger-Grünwald, Director, Austrian National Bank
Round table discussion with Q&As from the audience |
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11:00 –11:30 |
Coffee Break and Group Photo |
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11:30– 12:50 |
SESSION II: DEMOGRAPHICS, LONG-TERM PROSPECTS, AND CREATING A WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE Key questions: How have aging and migration evolved and what has been their impact? What is the impact of these demographic trends on income growth and convergence? What to expect going forward? Can robots fill the gap? Can immigration help? What policies can help create a workforce for the future and improve income growth?
Moderator: Ali Aslan, TV presenter and journalist Panelists: Simeon Djankov, Director, World Bank George W. Leeson, Director, Oxford Institute of Population Aging Srinivas B. Reddy, Branch Chief, International Labour Organization Judith Wallenstein, Director, Henderson Institute, Boston Consulting Group
Round table discussion with Q&As from the audience |
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13:00 – 14:30 |
Lunch |
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14:30 – 15:30 |
SESSION III: POLICY ROUND TABLE: LABOR, DEMOGRAPHICS, AND THE WAY AHEAD Key questions: What are the building blocks for a brighter future? What are the lessons from countries that are making the greatest progress in tackling labor market bottlenecks and demographic challenges? What are the hallmarks of successful reforms to increase the labor participation of women and older workers, and policies aimed at reskilling and enhancing education? What will the future of work in CESEE look like and which policies might ensure that robotization brings opportunities for workers? How will fiscal policy need to adjust to tackle the demographic challenge? Any role for EU policies?
Moderator: Karen Tso, Journalist, CNBC Panelists: Marco Buti, Director General, DG ECFIN, European Commission Teresa Czerwińska, Member of the Management Board, National Bank of Poland Ksenija Klampfer, Minister of Labor, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Republic of Slovenia Poul M. Thomsen, Director, European Department, IMF |
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15:30– 16:00 |
Coffee Break |
| 16:00 – 16:45 | Key Note Address: Christian Dustmann, Professor, University College London Watch video |
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16:45– 17:00 |
Closing Remarks: Zdravko Marić, Minister, Ministry of Finance, Republic of Croatia |
| 19:00-21:00 | Dinner |