4th Macroeconomist Training Program

June 15-16, 2018

Campus Plaza Kyoto

Seminar Content

Content: The lectures will provide an overview of how the IMF analyzes macroeconomic issues, including through the use of its financial programming tool. Real country case studies of IMF surveillance and program activities will be discussed. Students will have the opportunity to take part in their own analysis of a country case, using the tools introduced in the class.
 
Target : Students on Master’s/ PhD degree programs who are interested in working for international organizations while developing expertise in macroeconomics, international finance, development economics, and other related fields. Young scholars and undergraduate students can also apply.
 
A Certificate of Participation will be granted to participants who complete this workshop.

Lecturer

Jerry Schiff
Dr. Schiff currently teaches at American University.
Previously, he was Deputy Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the IMF. 
He held a number of senior positions at the IMF.

Agenda

Friday, June 15

9:40-

Registration

10:00–10:20

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Mr. Chikahisa Sumi, Director, IMF OAP

(TBD), JICA Kansai

10:20–10:50

A. Role of the IMF

 

Introduction of the Economist Training Program and the IMF

An IMF staff member will explain the objective of the Economist Training Program. The session will also give brief introduction of the role of the IMF.

10:50-11:00

Coffee Break

11:00-12:30

B. Overview of the IMF's Macroeconomic Framework

 

This session will provide an overview of the ways in which the IMF analyzes and projects macroeconomic developments and policies. The lecture will discuss the IMF's financial programming tool, and describe how it is used to understand linkages between macroeconomic variables and to make projections that are both internally consistent and sensible. The role of financial programming in identifying necessary policies and quantitative targets in IMF-supported program will also be explored.

Recommended Online course after the session:

- Financial Programming and Policies, Part 1: Macroeconomic Accounts & Analysis (FPP.1x)

- Financial Programming and Policies, Part 2: Program Design (FPP.2x)

- Macroeconomic Forecasting (MFx)

- Macroeconomic Diagnostics (MDSx)

Discussion

12:30–13:30

Lunch

13:30–15:00

C. IMF Surveillance: Case Study of Turkey

 

This session will utilize a country case to explain the role of IMF surveillance and illustrate the how financial programming is utilized to analyze a country economy. In particular, the class will explore how to use economic data to make projections, identify risks, and develop policy recommendations. A recent IMF staff report will serve as the basis of this lecture.

 

Recommended Online Course After the Session:

- Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSAx)

- Financial Market Analysis (FMAx).

- Macroeconomic Diagnostics (MDSx)

 

Discussion

15:00-15:30

Coffee Break

15:30-17:00

D. IMF-Supported Programs: Case Study of Mongolia

 

This session will discuss the role of, and process behind, an IMF-supported program. A case study of a recent program will be utilized to provide concrete examples of key concepts introduced during the day, and to explore trade-offs faced in program design.

 

Discussion

17:00-17:30

E. Introduction of Group Assignment

 

In this brief session, the group assignment will be explained and material will be distributed. There will also be an opportunity for participants to ask questions based on the day’s material.

Saturday, June 16

9:00-11:30

F. Participants’ Presentations

 

In this session, participants will analyze some tables from an IMF staff report to give a diagnosis of the country and will present their findings.

11:30-12:30

Lunch

12:40-13:40

G. Case from JICA

 

The lecture by a JICA staff member will provide hands-on experience in describing how the JICA works with the IMF.

Discussion

13:40-14:10

Photo Session

14:30-16:30

Reception

Awarding of Certificates to Participants

Closing Remarks

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HTML Content