Economics Award 2003
High school students from Spain and abroad have been invited to participate in this Award. Students have been asked to work on a case study to demonstrate their understanding of the economic problems and challenges of a developing country. The country chosen for this year's study is Ukraine.
In the first phase of the Award, the students worked in teams (3-5 members each) on the case study. A dossier of information provided the necessary background information for them to handle three different tasks. The result of their work was limited in size to a submission of 4 typed pages.
Task one was a comparison the main socio-economic indicators of the Ukraine with references also to other transition economies. A CIA Report on the country could be used as the reference for the Ukraine 's data. Students had to research also other “transition economies”. This part was quite descriptive, students had to keep a simple approach, and focus in the main indicators. (One page report with a comparative table was enough).
Task two demanded a slightly more in-depth analysis. Students had to link the recent institutional reforms in the Ukraine with the socio-economic indicators used in Task one. The document, “Institutions and Economic Development”, could be used as a reference in order to analyze the institutional reforms which they believed will most positively impact the economy. Nevertheless, research on the Ukraine 's case needed to be done in greater detail. (Again students were asked to summarize their ideas in one page).
Finally, in task three , students were asked to recommend policies and institutional reforms to Ukraine 's government. Students should considered themselves the team leaders of an international institution which is collaborating with the Ukraine 's administration in order to improve the living and economic conditions of the country. The Irish Case document, could help students to see how reforms in one country have made a deep impact in society in general. The case was nothing more than an example. Task three had a maximum length of two pages.
The first two tasks were mainly descriptive and analytical. Task three however, was a transfer of knowledge. It was aimed at exploring the students' motivation, imagination and creativity in developing their proposals. Nevertheless, these had to stay in line with economic reasoning.
The timeframe has been as follows:
October 20 th The contest started once the students received the case study and the dossier of information
November 10 th The students sent in their solutions in a 4-page paper.
Nov. 15 th Three teams are invited to the 3 rd International Economics Forum. All student groups received feedback on their case study.
Nov. 20 th / 21 st The teams invited to the “3 rd International Economics Forum” presented their results during the conference and competed for the 5.000 Euro Award.
Here is a link to the Study Case:
The background material included:
- Background Information regarding Institutions and Economic Development.
- A Model Case on the Irish economic performance based on previous institutional reforms.
- A Country Report on Ukraine , that was to be used as the data reference for some of the Case Study Questions.
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
In the second phase , all participating groups are welcomed to take part in the 3 rd International Economics Forum organized by the University of Navarra 's Faculty of Economics.
The three best teams will present their case study on the III. International Economics Forum. After the presentations, the Economics Award 2003 will be given to the team that presents the most viable solution.
The Economics Award 2003 aimed at highlighting the connection between theoretical analysis and practical work and projects in developing countries. Therefore, the University of Navarra will donate prize money to an investment project in a developing country, helping to foster development and prosperity.
The winning team, together with the University of Navarra, will select an appropriate project and be involved in the future follow-up and stewardship of this project. The winners are invited to maintain contact with the local project sponsor. By doing so, they can gain valuable insight in how economic aid translates into improving other people's living conditions.
