Sixth formers seek inspiration and competition at Economics Olympiad
SOAS recently welcomed sixth form students from across the country to the Economics Olympiad National Finals competition.
Marking the penultimate round of the world’s largest and fastest-growing global competition in economics for secondary school students aged 16 to 18, the Olympiad provided them with the space to not only challenge their ideas around economics but also inspire them to think critically about the forces shaping the world and answer some of the all-important questions and global economics.
It’s been more than just a test, it’s been a day of learning, a day of communicating, a day of networking. We heard from speakers who are at the forefront of their field, and it’s been so inspiring.
The Olympiad also welcomed guests speakers that included Economist, writer and broadcaster Linda Yueh and Economist and Financial Times Journalist, Soumaya Keynes.
Linda Yueh discussed her works “The Great Crashes: Lessons from Global Meltdowns and How to Prevent Them” charting the history of financial crashes and the lessons that can be taken from them for the future.
Linda delved into how best to describe an economic crash, and how policymakers across the world have responded to specific instances across the world. Speaking to how solutions to financial crises should reflect the crises themselves, Linda added “Financial crises are global, and policy solutions also have to be global.”
Soumaya Keynes’s talk revolved around not only her trusty banjo but discussed the reality and cost of economic trade wars – noting that while global trade creates efficiency, its concentration creates geopolitical risks, fragmentation, and long-term economic damage. “Trade wars have real costs and they have real risks.” Soumaya said. Reminding students on the importance of learning about economics, Soumaya added: “We need to study the economics carefully to minimise the harm they cause.”
Manya Rajeeva, one of the participating students said: “It’s been more than just a test, it’s been a day of learning, a day of communicating, a day of networking. And we’ve heard from speakers who are at the forefront of their field, and it’s been so inspiring”
Another of the students Lucian Dux added: “Today has made me view economics from a different perspective and made me learn how to approach it in the real world.”
The Economics Olympiad also held talks from SOAS experts including Professor Ha-Joon Chang and Dr Yannis Dafermos.
The International Final will take place in Ancient Olympia, Greece, where the top five students from each participating country come together and take part in the last stage of economic tasks and challenging tasks, innovative projects.
