On May 23, some 100 members of IESE's alumni chapter in Paris met for an event that included the participation of IESE's Dean Jordi Canals; IESE Prof. José Manuel González-Páramo; the ambassador for Spain to the OECD, Ricardo Diez-Hochleitner; and OECD Chief of Staff Gabriela Ramos. During the meeting, panelists discussed the current context and future goals for the eurozone. The meeting was sponsored by the embassy of Spain to the OECD.
In his remarks, Dean Canals highlighted IESE's positive development and reminded alumni of the school's long-term objecitves: to provide knowledge needed by students and businesses to exit the current crisis, identify opportunities created by globalization and prepare business leaders who can have a meaningful and lasting impact on society.
Ramos outlined new goals for countries that make up the G20, such as fighting unemployment, improving the financial sector and recovering growth rates without neglecting citizens, reducing social inequality and promoting solutions that are respectful to the environment.
The meeting was closed by Prof. González-Páramo, who provided a presentation on the current situation of the eurozone that was based on a key question: is the worst part of the crisis behind us? He explained how recent actions taken by the European Central Bank have saved the EU from disintegration and stressed the importance of a banking and fiscal union to maintain stability in the region.