"Human networks at the center of economy and society" - Walras Pareto conference-debate

Lecture and debate organized by HEC Lausanne at the University of Lausanne as part of its Walras Pareto lecture series*. (English/French). 

[Event open to all, free admission, languages: English and French]

Networks are a characteristic of human beings, they are found in all spheres of life and in multiple forms. How do they develop and how have they changed over recent years? And above all, how does our position within these networks affect our behaviors, belief systems, opportunities and achievements?

Professor Matthew O. Jackson, the world-renowned economist known for his work on socio-economic networks, has just published a new book on the topic of “The Human Network”. In his lecture (in English), Prof. Jackson will explain the role that human network play in labor market issues, social inequalities, technological change and political polarization. 

The second part of the event will be a round-table discussion (in French, with interactions in English if required) with leading figures in politics and economics from French-speaking Switzerland, presenting their point of view on the importance of human networks in their respective fields.

The debate will be led by Alain Jeannet, a journalist and conferences & events manager for Le Temps and Ringier Axel Springer Suisse Romande. 

• Martine Brunschwig Graf, former State Councilor, President of the Federal Commission against Racism
• Roger Nordmann, National Councilor and President of the Socialist Group in Parliament
• Bernard Rüeger, entrepreneur, Vice-President economiesuisse
• André Schneider, CEO of Geneva Airport
• Alisée de Tonnac, CEO & Co-founder of Seedstars World, HEC Lausanne graduate

Program

• From 17h30: Welcome
• 18h00-18h10: Opening speech from HEC Lausanne with Rafael Lalive, Vice-Dean, and organisers Prof. Dominic Rohner and Prof. Bettina Klaus
• 18h10-19h00: Lecture by economist Prof. Matthew O. Jackson (in English)
• 19h00-20h00: Debate with a panel of leading figures in politics and economics in French-speaking Switzerland (in French, with interactions in English if required)
• 20h00: Drinks reception

Access map. By public transport: metro stop M1 "UNIL-Chamberonne"

 * About the Walras Pareto lecture series, HEC Lausanne (UNIL)
Organised by the Department of Economics at HEC Lausanne, the aim of the Walras Pareto lectures is to present a topical subject in the field of economics to a wide audience, delivered by a renowned academic. The title of the lecture series refers to the two economists who first taught economic sciences – at the end of the 19th century – at the Academy of Lausanne (later the University of Lausanne), namely Léon Walras, who developed the first theories of general equilibrium and introduced mathematics into economics, and his successor, Vilfredo Pareto.