Summer School in Public Economics

Barcelona, June 28 - July 9, 2010

The Barcelona Institute of Economics (IEB) will hold its III Summer School in Public Economics, consisting on this ocassion of two courses: ‘Economics of Education, and Fiscal Federalism. The objective of each course is to offer an intensive training program for PhD students in Public Economics, and to provide young scholars with the opportunity to discuss their own ongoing research with leading researchers in the field in a relaxed and open atmosphere. Students will have the opportunity to present their research work at sessions attended both by the invited lecturers and by IEB researchers.

Further info on the Summer School's official website.

Lowell Harriss passes away

A long-term IIPF member, Professor Lowell Harriss of Columbia University, has passed away, at the age of 97. Many of you may remember Professor Harris, who until recently was a regular attender of IIFP Congresses and a good friend of the Institute. He was, of course, a distinguished public finance scholar. You can find more information about him at

http://www.gs.columbia.edu/news-article-find-out-more?ntitle=3858

Richard Musgrave Visiting Professorship

Michael Keen will be the second Richard Musgrave Visiting Professor. He will give the corresponding Richard Musgrave Lecture in Munich in May 2010. All IIPF members are invited to attend. He follows on the footsteps of Alan Auerbach, the first Richard Musgrave Visiting Professor.

Vito Tanzi about IIPF annual congresses 1992 and 1997

Professor Vito Tanzi, Honorary President of IIPF, recently published his book Peoples, Places and Policies: China, Japan and Southeast Asia (New York: 2008). Two IIPF annual congresses, Korea 1992 and Kyoto 1997, and some events connected with them are described in this book. It may therefore contribute to the history of the IIPF and encourage IIPF members to relate similar experiences in future books.

People and events prominently mentioned in the book:
In 1992 the chairman of the local organizing committee was Professor Seung Soo Han. He is now the Prime Minister of Korea. One of the keynote speakers was Professor Larry Summers. A few years after the Korea congress he became the US Treasury Secretary and is now the main economic adviser to President Obama.
Two Nobel Prize winners in economics attended the IIPF annaul congress in Kyoto in 1997. The first round of the historical debate between Professors James Buchanan and Richard Musgrave took place, which would result later in an important book. Vito Tanzi's book can be purchased via Amazon.