YEC raises economic awareness

The 8th Annual Convention of the Young Economists’ Convention was held at the International Hall of the CSB Hotel International Conference Center last January 16 to 17, 2009. The year’s event saw the participation of more students from more schools around Metro Manila. This was complemented by the participation of students from schools all over the Philippines such as Ateneo de Davao University, Central Luzon State University, St. Louis University, Cagayan State University and University of San Carlos. International delegates from the 2nd International Conference were also present during the two day event.

Highlights of the first day of the convention include a keynote speech by Mr. Klaus Preschle, the country representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Philippines. He set the town for the rest of the activities with his keynote speech, "Is there an alternative to Casino Capitalism? The Concept of Social Market Economy." The keynote speech was followed by a series of panel discussions by professionals from different sectors. Lastly, undergraduate student research papers were presented.

The second day began with a set of Open Space Technology sessions, facilitated by members of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Open Space Technology is a self–organizing process for the conduct of seminars and discussions that allows participants to first submit ideas or topics, organizes these ideas and breaks participants into a number of separate groups, in order to get their comments, ideas and suggestions on the offered topics. Special presentations on industrial adjustment and inclusive growth in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia recommenced the afternoon session. Finally, special graduate student presentations and crash courses provided lessons or applications of new methodologies for economic analysis wrapped up the conference.

For further inquiries, you may visit their site at http://www.theyec.webs.com/ or their office at The 10th Young Economists' Convention, Suite 221 St. La Salle Hall,2401 Taft Avenue, Manila 1004 Philippines.