Top economics conference hits London in 2005

University College London today announces it is to host the ninth World Econometric Congress in August 2005.

Hosted by UCL's Department of Economics, it is the first time the congress has been held in the UK for 35 years.

The Econometric Society is the leading international learned society in the field of economics, and its quinquennial world congress is recognised as the most prestigious in economics. The last world congress, held in Seattle in 2000, attracted more than 1,000 delegates and it is anticipated that 1,400 delegates from throughout the world will attend in 2005.

UCL beat off tough competition from many other institutions of excellence worldwide to bring this prestigious event to London and attendees will include 10 Nobel Laureates. Topics to be discussed will be expansive, including subjects such microeconometrics, game theory, labour, industrial and environmental economics.

Professor Richard Blundell, of UCL's Department of Economics who co-chairs the local organising committee, comments:

"The honour of hosting this highly prestigious event will ensure that UCL's international reputation is reinforced. London has been home to a long line of pioneers in economics and statistics. Many of these have associations with UCL, either as students or teachers. Amongst the most famous are Charles Babbage, Jeremy Bentham, Francis Galton and Karl Marx."

The congress will be held from Thursday 18 to Thursday 25 August 2005. Further details about the congress can be found at:
http://www.econ.ucl.ac.uk/eswc2005/

Sponsors include the: Bank of England, Economic and Social Research Council, British Academy, European Central Bank, and Institute for Fiscal Studies.

For further information, please contact:

Judith H Moore
Media Relations Manager
University College London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 7678
Mobile: +44 (0)77333 07596
Email: Judith.moore@ucl.ac.uk