IMF Hosted a Conference on Macro and Growth Policies in the Wake of the Crisis

A conference on the theme “Macro and Growth Policies in the Wake of the Crisis” took place at the IMF’s Headquarters in Washington, DC on March 7-8. The conference was hosted by four of the world’s most noted economists, including two Nobel laureates: Michael Spence (Stanford University), Joseph Stiglitz (Columbia University), Olivier Blanchard (Economic Counselor and Director of Research at the IMF), and David Romer (University of California, Berkeley). The event brought together leading policymakers and academics from both advanced and emerging countries, as well as representatives from civil society, the private sector, and the media. The conference was by invitation only. But the proceedings were webcast live, at this site.

The aim of the conference was to distill the policy lessons of the global financial crisis. Participants focused on six key areas: monetary policy, fiscal policy, financial intermediation and regulation, capital account management, growth strategies, and the international monetary system. They also seeked to make concrete policy recommendations for how to revive sustainable growth while safeguarding macroeconomic and financial stability.

"The crisis has clearly shown both the limits of markets and the limits of government intervention. It is time to take stock, and draw a first set of lessons. Given the IMF’s mandate to advise its 187 member countries on economic and financial policies, it needs to be at the forefront of this effort. I look forward to this important conference."

--Olivier Blanchard

Introductory video by Olivier Blanchard