The CESifo Network and the CESifo Group, consisting of CES, Ifo and the Network, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2009. The following is a collection of commentaries by international economists on the development and importance of CESifo activities.
Philippe Aghion Harvard University
Over the past ten years, Hans-Werner Sinn and his team in Munich have managed to turn Ifo into a major research network and economic forum in Europe. In particular the CESifo publications and Summer Schools have attracted a lot of attention from the economic profession worldwide, and as a result CESifo has become an unavoidable reference in current research and policy debates.
Alberto Alesina Harvard University
In the last decade economic research in Europe has made tremendous progress. A few institutions now compete with the best ones in North America and CESifo is one of them. This is a tremendous success. Not only Europeans in general and Germans in particular should be proud of this institution, but all of us living and working in North America, and who believe in competition, welcome the challenge to excellence posed by CESifo. To keep up with it will be a stimulus to do more and better. One of the things I appreciate the most in CESifo is the constant interplay between developments in academic economic and its connection to policy problems. The interaction is greatly profitable for both sides and very few centers manage to do it so well. CESifo has been a tremendous success, all of those involved should celebrate its 10 year anniversary with a great sense of accomplishment.
Joaquín Almunia EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs
The EU Commission highly appreciates not only the unique synthesis of theoretical knowledge and empirical research that characterises the whole work of Ifo, but also its collaborative attitude in the framework of the Commission's Business and Consumer Surveys Programme, in which Ifo participates as one of the leading institutes. We wish Ifo at least another 60 years of success in its excellent contribution to the European construction.
Erik Bettermann Deutsche Welle
Qualität, Hintergrund, Analysen: Das weltweite Publikum der Deutschen Welle erwartet einen fundierten Wirtschaftsjournalismus. Partner wie die CESifo-Gruppe tragen dazu bei, dass der deutsche Auslandssender diesem Anspruch gerecht werden kann. Die DW schätzt die CESifo-Gruppe als wichtige Quelle für ökonomische Analysen. So ist der etwa „Report on the European Economy“ ein Muss in der Berichterstattung, mit der die Deutsche Welle den Wirtschaftsstandort Deutschland weltweit stärkt.
*** Quality, background, analyses: The worldwide public of Deutsche Welle (DW) expects sound business journalism. Partners such as the CESifo Group help DW, the German overseas TV and radio station, to live up to this ideal. DW appreciates the CESifo Group as an important source for economic analyses. For example, “The EEAG Report on the European Economy” is required reading for reporting with which DW strengthens Germany’s international standing as a business location.
Olivier Blanchard Chief Economist, International Monetary Fund; MIT
In 10 years, Hans Werner Sinn has turned CESifo into one of the main research networks in the world. Simply an amazing achievement. Happy anniversary.
Robin Boadway President, International Institute of Public Finance; Queen’s University
CESifo has had a remarkable ten years. It has grown quickly to become one of the most respected economic research institutions in the world. Its Area Conferences are a joy to attend for the quality of research and interaction. CESifo has succeeded in attracting top scholars from around the world who are keen to join its network, and to have their research associated with CESifo and disseminated by it. The affiliation with the IFO Institute has been particularly fortuitous. CESifo and the IFO Institute together have achieved the right balance between innovative research and policy relevance. Much of the credit is due to Hans-Werner Sinn for his vision and leadership is overseeing the development of both institutions.
Avinash Dixit Princeton University
My knowledge and memory of this remarkable institution goes back more than 15 years, to the times when CES and Ifo were separate. In 1994 CES did me the great honor of inviting me to deliver the first set of Munich Lectures in Economics. Since then I have followed with keen interest the remarkable growth of these institutes under Hans-Werner Sinn's able leadership. The combination of basics research, applied and policy research, publications, conferences, and lectures has been most impressive, and has made CESifo a leading force in economics in Europe and around the world.
Robert Haveman Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin - Madison
During the last decade, the Ifo Institute has become one of the most important international centers of data and analysis of national and international economic performance, debate on economic policy, and internationally recognized economic research. Scholars and economic policymakers look to the numerous reports of Ifo scholars and affiliates for insights regarding macro- and micro-economic analysis of and insights into the important issues of the day. The institute has succeeded beyond all expectations in accomplishing the goals that it has set for itself. CESifo has been and continues to be the intellectual heart of economics at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität and the Ifo Institute. It has hosted hundreds of visiting scholars, with intellectual contributions going both ways. I have had the pleasure of being one of these.
James J. Heckman Nobel Laureate in Economics 2000
Ifo and CESifo have been consistently informative about important economic issues in Germany and around the world. I look forward to their newsletters. The sponsored conferences bring together high-level economists discussing basic economic and policy questions.
Seppo Honkapohja Bank of Finland
Ifo institute is nowadays a top-level economics institute that publishes major applied studies on current important issues. Congratulations to the 60-year old vigorous institute! In ten years CESifo has become a top-quality organ and network for academic economists. It provides very important activities that improve the facilities and network for European economics. I wish CESifo the best of luck in the future.
Prof. Dr. Bernd Huber Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Ob man CES und ifo einzeln oder gemeinsam betrachtet, das Ergebnis der letzten zehn Jahre liegt auf der Hand: Hier hat sich ein herausragendes, international kompetentes Netzwerk rund um den Standort entwickelt! Wir sind stolz, dass CES und ifo dazu beitragen, München zu einem der besten Standorte der Wirtschaftswissenschaften in Deutschland zu machen.
*** Whether one views CES and Ifo separately or together, the result of the last ten years is obvious: Here an exceptional, internationally competent network has emerged in Munich! We are proud that CES and Ifo have helped to make Munich one of the best locations for economic science in Germany.
Prof. Dr. Ottmar Issing
Das CESifo-Netzwerk hat in kurzer Zeit Maßstäbe gesetzt. Das CESifo Forum bringt regelmäßig Beiträge führender Ökonomen zu aktuellen Themen - ein hervorragender Beitrag zur Versachlichung und Vertiefung der wirtschaftspolitischen Debatte.
*** In a short time, the CESifo Network has established benchmarks. The CESifo Forum publishes regular contributions of leading economists on current topics – an outstanding contribution to making the economic-policy debate deeper and more objective.
Prof. Dr. Eckhard Janeba Universität Mannheim
Die CESifo Gruppe ist das führende Netzwerk für Ökonomen in Deutschland und Europa. Mit seinen vielfältigen Aktivitäten, vor allem die lebendigen Konferenzen und vielen Publikationen, bewegt sich das CESifo immer an der Grenze der gegenwärtigen Forschung und stimuliert auch meine persönliche Forschung immer wieder aufs Neue.
*** The CESifo Group is the leading network for economists in Germany and Europe. With its diverse activities, particularly its lively conferences and numerous publications, CESifo is always at the cutting edge of research and constantly stimulates my own research.
Lady Barbara Judge Chairwoman, UK Atomic Energy Authority; Former SEC Chairwoman
I am extremely impressed by Ifo and CESifo. They have consistently brought together some of the best minds in the world and produced major studies on some of the worlds most important issues. Their sponsored conferences are excellent and informative and anyone who participates is truly honoured. Congratulations to all who are involved in making this Institute such an important research network and economic forum.
Prof. Dr. Kai Konrad Max-Planck-Institut für Geistiges Eigentum, Wettbewerbs- und Steuerrecht
In a remarkably short period of only ten years CESifo has become one of the most important interfaces for scientific communication in Economics. It is now one of the “hottest” places to be and do research in this field, and one of the most active places in terms of research output. Congratulations to Hans-Werner, and to the whole CESifo group!
Peggy B. Musgrave Emerita Professor of Economics, University of California, Santa Cruz
For 60 years Ifo has served as a prestigious institute engaged in empirical economic research. Over the last decade, as a bedrock of the CES/ifo Group, its scholarly contributions have continued, enhancing the internationally respected accomplishments of the CES/ifo Group. My late husband and I greatly admired the outstanding contributions of CESifo under the stimulating and productive leadership of Professor Hans-Werner Sinn. Since its inception 10 years ago, it has gained international recognition for its high-quality economic research, valuable publications, seminars and conferences in which economic scholars from around the world participate along with those from the University of Munich and elsewhere in Europe.
Prof. Dr. Axel Ockenfels Universität zu Köln
CESifo zeigt auf höchstem Niveau, dass Wirtschaftswissenschaft und Wirtschaftspraxis kein Gegensatz sein muss. Der damit verbundene Nutzen für Wissenschaft und Praxis ist enorm - und enorm wichtig.
*** CESifo demonstrates at the highest level that economic theory and economic practice need not conflict. The combined benefit for academia and practice is enormous – and enormously important.
John Peet Europe Editor, The Economist
Ifo is the leading economic institute in Germany.
James Poterba MIT; NBER President and CEO
In ten remarkable years, CESifo has built on ifo's distinguished legacy and become a global leader not only in the analysis of current economic conditions but also in the broader realm of economic research. CESifo has supported cutting-edge research on most important economic issues facing Germany, Europe, and the world, convened gatherings of the scholars and policy-makers with deep expertise on these issues, and in the process it has given Munich a world-wide reputation as a center of excitement and innovation in applied economics.
Assaf Razin Tel Aviv University; Cornell University
CESifo is at the forefront of the “globalisation” of academic economics in Germany. Its well-read working paper series, international conferences and journals provide a fascinating and insightful forum for a rewarding exchange of economic ideas on key economic issues of our time, among the best minds in our profession.
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Ernst Th. Rietschel Leibniz-Gemeinschaft
Für die Institute der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft umfasst eine an den Bedürfnissen der Gesellschaft ausgerichtete Wissenschaft nicht nur Forschung, sondern auch wissenschaftliche Dienstleistung und Wissenstransfer, etwa in Form von Politikberatung. Diese Philosophie verkörpert das ifo Institut als Teil der CESifo-Gruppe durch die Betreuung eines internationalen Forschernetzwerks, durch seine aktive wirtschaftspolitische Beratung sowie durch Dienstleistungen für die empirische Wirtschaftsforschung in Form von Umfrageergebnissen oder der Institutionen-Datenbank DICE.
*** The activities of the institutes of the Leibniz Association are geared not only towards research aligned at the needs of society but also to services and knowledge transfer, including advice to policy-makers. The Ifo Institute embodies this philosophy as a part of the CESifo Group through its support for an international research network, through its economic-policy advice activity as well as through services for empirical economic research in the form of survey results or the institutional database DICE.
Prof. Dr. Klaus Schmidt Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Die Allianz aus CES, ifo und dem CESifo-Netzwerk hat sich als überaus fruchtbar erwiesen. Besser kann man angewandte Forschung und internationale Spitzenwissenschaftler zum wechselseitigen Nutzen kaum zusammenbringen. Ich gratuliere ganz herzlich zum 10jährigen Jubiläum!
*** The alliance of CES, Ifo and the CESifo Network has proved to be extremely fertile. A better combination of applied research and top international economists for the mutual benefit of both is hardly possible. I express my cordial congratulations to CESifo on its 10th university!
Prof. Dr. Friedrich Schneider Universität Linz
Das Forschernetzwerk der CESifo-Gruppe hat sich zu einem weltweit führenden Wissenschaftsnetzwerk entwickelt, das schnell, präzise und sehr effizient informiert aber auch eine Plattform zum Wissenschaftsaustausch bietet. Da in dem CESifo-Netzwerk viele bedeutende Wissenschaftler vertreten sind, ist es attraktiv, dabei zu sein und seine neuesten Forschungsergebnisse zur Verfügung zu stellen.
*** The research network of the CESifo Group has developed into a leading international network in economics that informs quickly, precisely and very efficiently and also provides a platform for the exchange of ideas. Since many important economists are represented in the CESifo Network, it is attractive to participate and to contribute ones current research results.
Guido Tabellini President of IGIER; Rector of Bocconi University
In a decade, CESifo has become a reference point for economics in Europe and in the world. Best wishes for the next decade!
Vito Tanzi Inter-American Development Bank
In early 2001 I had the honor to be invited by Professor Hans-Werner Sinn to spend a month in Munich as a visitor to the Ifo Institute. I was very much impressed by the quality of the staff and its output. I have followed its research and its other professional activities and have frequently used some of that output in my own work. I would have no hesitation to rank the Institute as one of the truly top research institutions in Europe. The series of books published by MIT press , sponsored by the Ifo Institute and presented as special Munich lectures, are major contributions to well defined areas of economics. I hope that, under the leadership of Prof. Sinn, the Institute will continue with this impressive output.
Prof. Dr. Axel A. Weber Deutsche Bundesbank
CESifo steht für die gelungene Verbindung von Forschung und praktischer Anwendung: sorgfältige Analysen zu aktuellen Themen, pointierte und doch gut fundierte wirtschaftspolitische Stellungnahmen und nicht zuletzt ein breites Forum für offene, auch kontroverse Diskussionen.
*** CESifo stands for the successful combination of research and practical application: careful analyses of current topics, pointed and nevertheless sound economic-policy comments and last but not least a broad forum for open and controversial discussions.
Prof. Dr. Carl Christian von Weizsäcker MPI Max-Planck-Institut zur Erforschung von Gemeinschaftsgütern
CESifo with its network has become a unique first quality operation by combining basic research and applied economic policy advice. Its important role in German, European and worldwide economic analysis is by now undisputed. Congratulations and "weiter so".
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wiegard Universität Regensburg
Für meine wissenschaftliche und politikberatende Tätigkeit kommt den Aktivitäten der CESifo-Gruppe eine ganz besondere Bedeutung zu. Insbesondere sind die CESifo Working Papers mit ihrem durchweg hohen theoretischen Niveau bei gleichzeitiger Anwendungsorientierung eine der wichtigsten und ergiebigsten Literaturquellen für meine Arbeit im Sachverständigenrat.
*** For my academic work and policy advising the activities of the CESifo Group are of a very special importance. In particular the CESifo Working Papers with their overall high theoretical level as well as their application orientation are one of the most important and most productive sources of information for my work on the German Council of Economic Experts.
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