OAFP 5265 - European economic challenges

The course focuses on the economic challenges facing the European Union and its member

states and the associated policy decisions currently debated. These issues are covered both in

terms of economic theory and from an operational point of view for decision makers and civils

servants / experts. Students will benefit from the two teachers’ past experience within the EU

institutions, the French civil service and the private sector. The course covers both micro and

macroeconomic issues.

A Talk (50% of total performance assessment) is delivered to the class, no more than 10

minutes. It aims at testing students ability to present in a constraint format complex policy

issues in a clear way. It is expected from students to circulate the plan of the talk to the class,

with a numerical annex presenting key data. Using Power Point support is recommended.

Technical Memo (30% of total performance): sent to teachers several days before the lesson

(emails: alomarbruno@hotmail.com;thomas.lambert@lazard.com). Teachers make

observations before the Memo is sent to the class. The Memo is sent to teachers in Word

format, maximum 2 pages of text, annexes are possible. The objective of the drafting of

memos is to train students to the preparation of operational documents to be used by a

decision maker. A memo is not a talk. It is not drafted the same way. It should be factual,

contain all relevant data and present in a very simple and operational way the main arguments

that can be used in a discussion. Teachers will evaluate the capacity of students to carefully

understand these objectives (many students tend to consider the Memo a Talk in written

format, which is not the case).

Discussion (20% of performance): after each Talk, teachers will open the floor to the class for

discussion. Teachers will take into account in the final performance assessment the capacity of

students to participate actively in the debates. The objective of the discussion is to present

alternative views, ask questions to the student who delivered the Talk. The reward in terms of

grade can be significant for the most active students.

Documentation: students are free to use all documentation available to prepare their talks.

Teachers are available in advance to guide their research if needed. Students are encouraged to

ask questions for clarifications or references when preparing the talks.