ECONVENTION 2016 (ECONOMICS FEST)
The Economics Club and the Department of Economics
12-13 November, 2016
FLAME University Econvention 2016; the university’s first ever economics festival. It had its beginnings in a small room with an even smaller group of people, people who wanted to explore the economic realm outside of textbooks and supply-demand graphs. And now, they invite you to join them on this exploration, to experience the exhilaration of having the world’s welfare riding on your shoulders, the rush of being in the centre of the rise and fall of money. The Econvention has now moved out of that small room, and has become a collaborated effort of the FLAME Economics Club and the Department of Economics.
The two-day fest on 12th and 13th November, 2016 will see students participating in events, workshops, guest lectures, and even a panel discussion. The events will require the participants to have a rudimentary theoretical base in economics, which they will draw upon to provide models to apply in real world situations. Of course, the nature of this fest is such that it will allow participants to use their academic knowledge to experience the economics of everyday life and even world events in real, practicable ways. Events will necessitate the quick thinking and expertise needed to solve both kinds of dilemmas, therefore posing a unique challenge to participants: staying grounded in logic while letting the imagination soar.
The panel discussion and workshops will see reputed persons from the industry and respected academics sharing a podium and discussing their views on the topic at hand. The objective is to bring in dignitaries from diverse fields of experience within economics to ensure that the practical as well as theoretical aspects are covered in detail, so that participants can take away not only the excitement of simulated economic situations, but also new opinions and ideas that can add to their knowledge of the subject they love.
The FLAME University Econvention, by the time it’s done, will go down as one of the university’s most memorable events- we’re willing to put our money on it.
1. Defenders Across The World
Only the seriously delusional will disagree with the fact that human intervention into the workings of Mother Nature is wreaking havoc on the Earth and its atmosphere. The threat of a drastic change in the world we know looms in the future as national leaders from all over the world come together and contemplate on mankind’s biggest bugbear, climate change.
This event will be a simulation of a Futuristic Continual Crisis Committee (FCCC) which will be taking place a few years from now; the session is set to take place in 2025, against the backdrop of mankind facing the full wrath of climate change, thus compelling the UN to call all delegates into action.
Participants are expected to register for this event in teams of two (double delegation), after which they will be notified of the nation they will represent. The delegate handbook (UN ROP GUIDE) and background guide (Timeline) will be sent to the participants prior to the event.
Attire: Western Formals
Defend your nation, as delegates from across the world join you in setting right the effects of human activity on the environment. Put forth your best foot, and help in ushering in a brighter future.
No. of participants per team: 2
2. Poliself
Ever thought about how you would do as captain of the ship? The wheel’s in your hands, the course is yours to chart. Economic crisis is looming large, and YOU have to be the one to solve it. Participants must come up with a policy to defuse (or solve, if you must) the issue at hand. The given problem may vary from a microeconomic issue like a staff strike at your college campus, to quintessential macroeconomic problems, like the solution to world hunger. As can be expected, when dealing with real life situations, other disciplines like sociology, psychology, and political science also come into play.
The rules are simple- After finding out your designated economic problem through chit-picking, you will be given a fixed period of time to come up with a new policy/solution to the problem.You can, of course, draw inspiration from existing policies, but the final result must be your own. The other competitors will be allowed to ask questions/comment on your solution.
An interdisciplinary approach, out of the box thinking, and a strong economic base is the key to earning brownie points!
Maximum entries: 10
No of participants per team: 1
3. Mock Stock Against the Clock
Bring out the gambler in you through this fun and interactive stock market stimulation as you invest, buy, and sell shares of companies in a bid to make your investor portfolio heavy duty. Experience the excitement of a stock market, as you walk around shouting your throats dry, in a chaotic ‘fish market for the well dressed’.
Further details will be explained on the day of the event.
Play the market before it plays you and don't forget to bring along your paracetamol; it’s gonna get loud in here.
No of participants per team: 2
4. Paper Presentation
Written a paper on Interdisciplinary Economics? Or in the process of doing so? Want feedback from academicians and experts in the field? Or want to share your findings with other economics enthusiasts?
Be it on Environmental Economics, Behavioral Economics, Political Science, or International Economics, come present your research at the Econvention Paper Presentation!
Only 8 teams can present on the final day, so make sure you send in your abstract before 1st November 2016. If selected, you will have to submit your paper before 10th November 2016.
Don't worry about whether you have primary data or not; as long as your paper includes economics and another field of study, and is well cited, we'd love to hear about it.
Participants will have 10 minutes to present their research, followed by a question and answer session. There is no limit on the number of participants per team.
5. Surprise Event
“Dead men tell no tales”
Well, we aren’t dead, but we’re not telling either!
Just show up at the right day at the right venue and find out what this event has in store for you!
P.S. No cell phones allowed. A decent store of knowledge? Sure.
No of participants per team: 1
6. Masala Allocation
Calling all foodies with a passion for economics or economists with a passion for food… Masala Allocation is here and it is spectacular. Start your own restaurant and economize your raw material and your products, as you move along the path to becoming the best Masala Economist.
Participants will be given a sum of money to begin with, using which they can purchase different food items. Make your own dish and sell it smartly in a bid to run the most successful venture of all. The prices of the raw material, demand for food and supply of raw material is of course subject to change. One man’s extra tomato could just be another’s salad bowl, so don’t forget to plaster on your most winning smile as you trade for different food items and climb your way to the top of the restaurant chain. All the materials will be provided to the contestants, so don’t try sneaking in some contraband of your own.
All you future entrepreneurs, chefs, restauranteurs, dig in!
Eat your fill...if you have it in you!
No. of participants per team: 2-3
7. Talks :
Banking Sector
The banking sector is central to our nation’s economy. Banks cater to the needs of credit for all sections of society, they finance the industrial sector, promote entrepreneurship by underwriting shares of new and existing companies, finance trade and agriculture, create demand for consumer goods, and mobilize savings and channelize them to productive investments and capital formation. India is now the world’s largest democracy and an emerging economic giant. Banks are going to play a major role in fostering economic development and the youth is going to have a paramount role to play in this.
Stay tuned to find out more about the talk and our speaker!
Be there, 12th November.
Project Funding
This talk will focus on how business activity is financed and what effect this has on consumers, total welfare, and the economy as a whole. All existing firms need their business activities to be financed, and those who wish to start a firm or have formed a start-up need some funding too. How to acquire these funds and where/ how to invest them are key questions that all current and future business owners have to address. Financing activities not only apply to small businesses, but also to large scale government projects, such as Make in India. In his talk on financing activities, Our speaker for the talk will provide us with an understanding of the working of finance systems, and its relevance to economic activity, today and in the future.
Be there, 13th November.
8. Panel Discussion
Private or Public Health Care System?
It is said that having a private sector healthcare in low and middle income countries is more efficient, accountable, and more sustainable than a public healthcare system. Although, a public sector healthcare system would mean more affordable, and more equitable care. Where do we draw the line? What would be the ideal healthcare system for India? What do experts in the field have to say about it?
Panelists for this debate of the decade to be announced soon. You do NOT want to miss it!
Be there. 13th November 2016.
Registrations for all events are currently open. There is no minimum or maximum limit to the number of delegates from any college.
All events are open to Undergraduate as well as Post Graduate students.
Due to timing clashes, there may be two events happening at the same time. In order to avoid confusion and any delays (time is money!) during the fest, kindly make sure not to register for BOTH of these events. For further information about which events overlap with each other, kindly refer to the schedule .
Apart from pre-registered participants on the spot registrations will also be accepted on the day of the fest. However, it is recommended that you register beforehand, as there is a cap on the number of participants for some events.
The registration fees for each event? Rs. 100.
The experience you will take home with you? Priceless.
Please contact :
Pranjali Kulkarni
+91 9611276001
Tanay Gokhale
+91 8806865403
The FLAME Econvention blog will be an interactive space that posts both, updates about the fest, and economics related facts/information/trivia. This will also be a platform for FLAME students of economics, and students of other subjects, if they wish, to submit small pieces that they write on specified subjects, so that it can be an exhibition of the body of work that is being turned out by the host university.
If you are interested in partnering with us, please contact Datta +91 9987-891770.
For any query, feel free to drop an email or call us
Contact- Datta +91 9987-891770.
Email ID-
Website: econvention.flame.edu.in