Researchers from the UR-WISE project participated in the 21st World Congress of the International Economic Association (IEA), held in Belgrade, Serbia, from 22 to 26 June 2026. Organized by the International Economic Association (IEA) in cooperation with the Serbian Association of Economists, the Congress brought together more than 1,000 economists, policymakers, and researchers from around the world under the central theme "Contrasting World Visions: Globalism vs. Nationalism, Multilateralism vs. Bilateralism, and Democracy vs. Autocracy." The event featured plenary lectures by Nobel laureates, invited sessions, and contributed scientific presentations addressing the major economic challenges of our time.
Representing the Faculty of Economics, University of Niš and the UR-WISE project, Professor Jelena J. Stanković, Marina Stanojević, and Ivana Marjanović actively participated in the Congress. As part of the scientific programme, they presented the paper "Spatial Disparities in Circular Economy Performance Across EU Countries" during the contributed academic session Financial Economics & Environmental Economics & General Financial Markets. The session brought together research addressing sustainable finance, environmental economics, and financial market transformation, placing the UR-WISE research alongside contributions from leading international institutions.
Beyond presenting their research, the UR-WISE team actively engaged in discussions with representatives of academia, public institutions, and the business sector, exchanging experiences on contemporary research challenges, international cooperation, and the preparation and implementation of research and innovation projects. The Congress provided an excellent platform for strengthening existing partnerships and establishing new international research connections.
A particularly memorable highlight of the accompanying programme was the public lecture delivered by Professor Eric Maskin, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences and Professor at Harvard University, at the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. His lecture, entitled "An Introduction to Mechanism Design," offered participants valuable insights into one of the most influential fields of modern economic theory and demonstrated the continuing relevance of rigorous economic research for addressing complex public policy challenges.
The Congress also provided an opportunity for the UR-WISE team to meet with Professor Pavle Petrović, member of the Scientific Advisory Board of UR-WISE and the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, further strengthening the project's links with leading experts in economic research and public policy. These exchanges reinforced the project's commitment to connecting academic excellence with practical policymaking and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.