Many of these topics are discussed in detail in the twelve papers that will be presented during this conference. The papers are grouped in four sessions. Each session starts with a keynote lecture by an internationally distinguished researcher.
Seven papers are the result of the research effort of Belgian academic teams, some of which were carried out in collaboration with our own researchers or with international experts. A selected group of outstanding economists will act as discussants of these research papers. Their comments will be the start of a discussion I would like all of you to participate in.