News
The Week of the Czech Academy of Sciences at CERGE-EI
31 October, 2024
Let us invite you to the public lectures of CERGE-EI researchers, which will take place during the Week of the Czech Academy of Sciences on Thursday, November 7, in the CERGE-EI building at Politických vězňů 7, Prague 1.
The Week of the Czech Academy of Sciences is the largest scientific festival in the Czech Republic, featuring lectures, exhibitions, events at research institutions, documentaries, workshops, science cafes, and many other activities across the country and all scientific disciplines. The festival is aimed at high school and university students as well as the general public. Admission to all events is free, but due to capacity limitations, it is necessary to reserve a place for most of them. Complete information can be found on the festival website at https://www.tydenavcr.cz/en/.
| 10.00 | Tomáš Protivínský, M.A. (The lecture will be conducted in Czech) | |
| Reform of Entrance Exams: The Science Behind Student Placement in Secondary Schools | ||
| In the 2023/24 academic year, a significant reform of entrance exams for secondary schools took place, and our published study was key in selecting the algorithm by which the exam results were evaluated, and students were placed in individual secondary schools. What makes this algorithm, which won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2012, better than other evaluation methods? How do entrance exams for secondary schools relate to economics, and where else can similar algorithms be beneficial? | ||
| 11.00 | Christian Ochsner, Dr. rer. pol. (The lecture will be conducted in English) | |
| Pandemics and Health Behavior: An Economic History Perspective | ||
| This public lecture explores how historical data can inform present-day questions, focusing on the 1918 influenza pandemic. It examines its impact on health behaviors and perceptions, revealing that areas heavily affected show lower vaccination rates and resistance to state health measures. However, these effects reverse when there’s a death in the family. We will discuss the implications of these findings for current issues, using accessible figures and graphs to clarify the topic. | ||
| 12.00 | Tomáš Protivínský, M.A. (The lecture will be conducted in Czech) | |
| Social Costs of Carbon: What Does Greenhouse Gas Emission Cost Us? | ||
| The measures that Europe and other countries are implementing today to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are not without cost, and their impacts can already be felt by citizens and businesses. To assess the appropriateness of these measures, a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis is necessary, and economists are attempting to estimate the damages caused by today’s emissions. How significant are these estimates, and how much uncertainty is involved? Which areas of human life will be most affected? Are the current measures worth implementing? | ||
| 13.00 | Filip Pertold, Ph.D. (The lecture will be conducted in Czech) | |
| Labor Market Challenges in the Czech Republic: Impacts of Technology, Aging, and Government Regulations | ||
| The Czech labor market will need to undergo significant changes to adapt to new developments in the economy and society. How will aging impact the labor market? Are the pension system and the labor market sufficiently interconnected to reflect changes in the workforce structure and the demands of companies? Technological changes are a key factor for labor market transformations. Are we able to adapt and take advantage of these changes? Which professions are most at risk? What is the role of the state? How does it influence the Czech labor market, where does it help, and where does it potentially hinder progress? | ||
| 14.00 | Vilém Semerák, Ph.D. (The lecture will be conducted in Czech) | |
| The Chinese Economy: What Do We Know, How Does It Function, and How Does It Differ from the Czech Economy? | ||
| There are many simplified claims regarding the Chinese economy and the reasons behind its long-term high growth rates. In this presentation, we will attempt to clarify some of these claims. We will first look at the problems faced by Chinese statisticians and the reliability of available data. We will then focus on the sources of growth in the 1980s and 1990s, as well as changes in economic policy under Xi Jinping. Finally, we will address current questions, such as debt levels and the role of industrial policy, for example, in the area of electric vehicles. | ||
| 15.30 | Doc. Ing. Daniel Münich, Ph.D. (The lecture will be conducted in Czech) | |
| From Human Capital Theory Through Specifics of Social Science Research to Quality Governance | ||
| This lecture will introduce and explain the basic ideas of economic theory regarding human capital, which emerged in the mid-20th century and remains relevant today. Using this theory as an example, the specifics of social science research will be highlighted in contrast to the natural sciences and its significance in the process of public policy formation—quality governance—, including practices in the Czech Republic. The presentation will include numerous references to specific research and public policy formulation in the Czech Republic. | ||
| 16.30 | Vilém Semerák, Ph.D. (The lecture will be conducted in Czech) | |
| Everything Comes from China: Supply Chains and Trade Dependencies—How Do We Measure Dependence and Vulnerability of the Czech Republic Not Only Toward China? | ||
| In recent years, politicians and consumers in the USA and Europe have realized that globalization has brought higher living standards, but also significant dependence on economies that may abuse this reliance. This presentation will begin with an introduction to offshoring theory and global supply chains. We will focus on reliable comparisons and measurements of emerging dependencies using input-output analysis and network theory. Based on current data, we will demonstrate how the Czech economy and the EU perform in both direct and indirect dependencies. |
