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The conference on the Economics of Information and Communication Technologies at ZEW Mannheim has long been considered one of the most important international scientific events in the field of digital economy. The event, which took place for the 18th time, was organised by the ZEW Research Department “Digital Economy” on 2 July 2020 – with one major innovation: Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the event was held virtually for the first time ever and had a reduced programme. With almost 300 international researchers it was extremely successful.

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How are inequalities changing as a consequence of the coronavirus crisis? What are the big challenges that await us in the world of tomorrow? What can be done to tackle inequalities in the future? Five renowned scholars gave their perspectives on these crucial questions in a special policy session of the ZEW research seminar series, held online on 19 June 2020 with almost 300 participants from all parts of the world.

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There was great excitement surrounding the virtual regional final of the YES! – Young Economic Summit: Who would make it to the grand national final? In the end, two teams prevailed – the Albert-Magnus-Gymnasium Stuttgart mentored by economists from ZEW Mannheim, and the European School RheinMain from Bad Vilbel mentored by SAFE Frankfurt. In addition, the Lise-Meitner-Gymnasium from Maxdorf, also mentored by ZEW, received a wildcard for the federal final in September. ZEW President Achim Wambach, who was live on air, emphasised how “great it is that so many teams, so many teachers and researchers continued despite the difficult circumstances.”

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Driven by the motto “Together for Europe’s recovery”, the focus of the German presidency of the Council of the EU in the next six months will be on overcoming the coronavirus crisis. ZEW expert on Europe, Professor Friedrich Heinemann, and moderator Carola Hesch have discussed the challenges this will bring for the German government in the new #ZEWPodcast “Wirtschaft • Forschung • Debatten”/“Economy • Research • Debates”. He makes it unmistakably clear that “swift success is important here. Otherwise the European money will not flow until the crisis is over.” While the first edition was published in German, there are plans to produce English editions of the podcast as well.

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Eleven researchers of the ZEW Research Department “Environmental and Resource Economics, Environmental Management” are presenting their latest work at this year’s digital conference of the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE) from 23 June to 3 July 2020.

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Throughout Europe, the coronavirus crisis has had severe economic consequences, although they differ in type and scope between countries and regions. The EU Commission has responded to the crisis with an array of policy instruments. As the contours of a general strategy have begun to take shape, the Commission is in the process of planning an EU-wide recovery fund. 

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The ongoing coronavirus crisis is now also reflected in the German Real Estate Finance Index (DIFI) of ZEW and JLL. In the second quarter of 2020, the sentiment indicator fell by 37.8 points to a current level of minus 56.7 points, with both the assessment of the current financing situation and the financing expectations for the coming six months having declined significantly. The variety of economic consequences and the uncertain impact of national and European economic stimulus packages have pushed the index to its lowest level since the survey began in 2011.

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The coronavirus has hit the world economy hard, with the lockdown having paralysed public life for weeks in many countries. But even with the lockdown easing up, hygiene and distance regulations still make it difficult to work together, shop, and use business services. 

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While the citizens of Baden-Württemberg continue to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the state as a business hub must grapple with the economic challenges posed by it. Many employees are still working in short-time work schemes, and solo self-employed workers fear that they go out of business. Supply chains have been disrupted, while the automotive industry and its suppliers are suffering from a collapse in both domestic and export demand. For ZEW Mannheim’s online event focussing on Baden-Württemberg’s path towards economic recovery from the coronavirus, Baden-Württemberg Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut and ZEW President Professor Achim Wambach discussed which economic policy measures the state could adopt in order to overcome the crisis. This is the third time the series “First-Hand Information on Economic Policy”, moderated by journalist Elif Şenel, was held in digital format for #ZEWlive.

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ZEW Mannheim mourns the death of Rolf Kentner, who passed away on 20 May 2020 at the age of 73. The former director of the Baden-Württembergische Bank in Mannheim was a close associate of ZEW for many years. Managing Director Thomas Kohl praises Rolf Kentner as a “valued friend and supporter, always ready to lend his knowledge and creative power to ZEW research.”

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