4th Annual FEPS-IPD Conference: Fiscal Governance at times of 
Slow Growth

Recognising the importance of the tremendous challenges for fiscal policy and rules that exist in […]

12/05/2016

Recognising the importance of the tremendous challenges for fiscal policy and rules that exist in the context of the risk of slowdown of the world economy, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) and the Initiative for Policy Dialogue at Columbia University (IPD) held their 4th Annual conference jointly with the Brookings Institution on the issue of ‘Fiscal Governance at Times of Slow Growth’ on April 17-18 2016. Following a well-established tradition of holding this conference in the aftermath of the annual World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings in Washington DC, this conference brought together several world-leading economists, policy-makers, experts and International Financial Institutions representatives. The conference was organised in collaboration with the Global Economy and Development Program at the Brookings Institution, and the Global Progressive Forum of the S&D Group in the European Parliament.

The main objective of the conference was to identify and discuss key issues and problems concerning fiscal rules in the current economic environment. These included a discussion of the Fiscal Compact in Europe, and whether there is a need to reform policy and rules, in addition to an analysis of fiscal rules in the developing world, including management of commodity prices and the introduction of counter-cyclicality into fiscal rules.

What is more, this conference also focused on finding short and medium term responses via fiscal policies and rules, as well as on proposing progressive ways for fiscal reform. These included a discussion of ways to allow for more flexibility in fiscal rules, of whether it is time to go back to golden rules so as to allow space for investment, and of how fiscal policy and rules that can contribute to growth.

Read the activity report

Programme

Presentation by Stephany Griffith-Jones, Financial Markets Program Director, Initiative for Policy Dialogue, member of FEPS Scientific Council

Presentation by Vitor Gaspar, Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, International Monetary Fund

Presentation by Peter Bofinger, Professor of Economics, University of Würzburg, Germany

Full audio of the public panel

Find all related publications
Publications
17/02/2025

Expected labour market effects of the Green Deal Industrial Plan (2)

A regional labour policy approach
13/02/2025

Transforming housing policy in war-affected Ukraine

Progressive Ukraine series
13/02/2025

Impoverished motherhood in Ukraine

Progressive Ukraine series
13/02/2025

In search of the progressive paths to rebuild Ukraine

Progressive Ukraine series
Find all related news
News
10/02/2025

FEPS joins BlueSky – follow our new account! 

When misinformation and disinformation run rampant, we resist attempts to bully users off certain platforms. […]
07/02/2025

FEPS President on the European car industry and the Competitive Compass on Euronews ‘Brussels, my love?’

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues took part in the Euronews talk show ‘Brussels, my love?‘ […]
29/01/2025

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas awarded FEPS ‘Progressive Person of the Year’

FEPS Progressive Person of the Year 2024-2025
15/01/2025

Launch of the new Open Progressive University’s Ukraine programme!

We have launched the new programme ‘Progressive Ukraine’ in collaboration with S&D Group as part […]
Find all related in the media
In the media

Foundation for European Progressive Studies recommends introduction of minimum tax on capital income in EU

07/02/2025
In its 'Europe Daily Bulletin', the press agency Agence Europe features FEPS’ latest policy study, 'Tackling Tax Avoidance', which underscores the need for a minimum tax on capital income in the EU.

Nedostatak brižnosti

by Vox Feminae 04/02/2025
"Lack of care" The Croatian feminist magazine Vox Feminae highlights the chapter by Annica Kronsell in FEPS book "A new Gender Equality Contract for Europe", which is dedicated to imagining a new gender contract for the climate

Suomi on poikkeuksellisen herkkä menettämään verotuloja muiden maiden verohelpotusten takia

by Helsingin Sanomat 04/02/2025
Discussing the findings from the policy study "Tackling tax avoidance" with Kalevi Sorsa Foundation

Brussels promises to make red tape disappear – Brussels my love

by Euronews 03/02/2025
FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues participated in this episode of Euronews’ show ‘Brussels my love’ on EU car industry, the cost of living, inflation, and public transport.