Dear all,

We cordially invite you to the presentation of the World Bank report The Future of Work: Implications for Equity and Growth in Europe, co-organized by the World Bank and the Department of Economics of the Vienna University of Economics and Business. The event will take place on February 26, 2024 at 16:00 in the Clubraum of the Learning Center (WU Campus). The presentation will be followed by a round table discussion with Ana Abeliansky, Robert Holzmann and Eva Landrichtinger, moderated by Andras Szigetvari.

You can register for the event here, more details are provided below.

The Future of Work: Implications for Equity and Growth in Europe

Presentation of the Report and round table with experts

February 26, 2024, 16:00-18:00 hours, CET

Venue: Clubraum, Library Center, WU Campus, Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna

Technology is a potent driver of productivity and economic growth and is also reshaping Europe's labor landscape. A new World Bank report, "The Future of Work: Implications for Equity and Growth in Europe", delves into the transformation that technology is causing within European firms, changing their tasks and the skills they require, and widening the gap between highly educated and less-educated workers.

Among the key findings of the report:

Large and more productive firms adopt more technology, increasing their market size and productivity. This creates a positive link between technology and market concentration.
Technology enhances productivity and increases the demand for university graduates, intensifying wage gaps between highly educated and other workers.
Vocational education and training (VET) graduates are more likely to find employment than their peers with a general secondary education degree. However, this advantage fades away within five to seven years of entering the workforce.

How can governments promote technological benefits without amplifying societal divides? This event will explore solutions and recommendations for policymakers.

Join us to discuss options to craft a future where technology's rewards are inclusive, benefiting every level of European society.

Agenda

16:00-16:30 Registration

16:30 Welcome

16:40 Keynote

"The Future of Work: Implications for Equity and Growth in Europe“

Leonardo Iacovone, The World Bank

Ivan Torre, The World Bank

16:55 Panel Discussion

Ana Abeliansky, Vienna University of Economics and Business and Austrian Central Bank

Robert Holzmann, Governor of the Austrian Central Bank

Eva Landrichtinger, Secretary General in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy

Moderation: Andras Szigetvari, Der Standard

17:40 Q&A

18:00 Concluding Remarks

18:05 Small reception with drinks

Jesus Crespo Cuaresma
Professor of Economics

Department Chair

Department of Economics
Vienna University of Economics and Business

Welthandelsplatz 1

1020 Vienna (Austria)

E: jcrespo@wu.ac.at

H: https://www.wu.ac.at/en/economics/people/crespo-j