Money, Government and the Public Interest | Amsterdam

This workshop will empower participants to counter the common narrative that public investment is unaffordable or must be paid for by implementing austerity measures. Whether for healthcare, education, pensions, climate action, and whatever is needed in a transition to a sustainable post-growth economy, you will come away with a true understanding of how governments spend money and what is possible.

Course outline: The program will comprise a series of introductory talks and participatory group discussions based on short articles and case studies relating to the nature of money and the role of government budgets. The workshop will be conducted in English.

Facilitator: Associate Professor Steven Hail, Lecturer at Torrens University Australia and Economist at Modern Money Lab.


Tea and coffee and a light lunch and dinner will be provided.


12:00pm—1:00pm Registration and light lunch

1:00pm—2:00pm Part 1: Money - what it is and where it came from.

2:00pm—2:30pm Break

2:30pm—4:00pm Part 2: The power of the purse - national budgeting and the Euro

4:00pm—4:30pm Break

4:30pm—6:00pm Part 3: Inflation, instability and the European Central Bank

6:00pm—7:00pm Dinner break

7:00pm — 8:30pm Part 4: Finding The Money documentary screening and optional Q and A