In a time of mounting geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, Studium Generale presents a timely and thought-provoking evening: “A New Economic Order”, featuring Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman alongside an expert panel of distinguished scholars and practitioners.
The event will take place on Tuesday 19 May 2026, from 19:30 to 21:00, in the Auditorium (Erasmus Building) on Woudestein Campus. It will bring together leading voices to examine the profound economic and political shifts currently reshaping the global order.
Conflict, trade barriers, and the future of the global economy
Ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East continue to impose a heavy human toll while reverberating through the global economy. Rising energy prices, escalating tariff disputes, and heightened uncertainty are fuelling concerns about inflation and the risk of a global recession. These developments are also straining international alliances and testing the resilience of democratic institutions.
The evening’s keynote speaker, Paul Krugman, is one of the world’s most influential economists. Awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2008, Krugman is renowned for his pioneering work in international trade and economic geography. His theories have significantly advanced understanding of global trade patterns and the clustering of economic activity.
One of the other speakers during the event is Aksel Erbahar, Associate Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics at Erasmus School of Economics. His research lies at the intersection of international trade and political economy, with a focus on trade policy. He is particularly interested in how trade barriers shape global value chains and how lobbying and geopolitical shocks influence trade dynamics. He is a co-author of the World Bank’s Temporary Trade Barriers Database.
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The event is open to the public. Students of Erasmus School of Economics and PhD candidates can attend free of charge with a valid code. Click here for more information and to obtain a ticket.
