## 20th Macroeconomist Training Program — Initiative for Macroeconomists of the Future

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [20th Macroeconomist Training Program — Initiative for Macroeconomists of the Future](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/oap/oap-home/2024/20th-mtp-flyer-program-agenda-jp-en-rv.pdf)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/-/media/files/oap/oap-home/2024/20th-mtp-flyer-program-agenda-jp-en-rv.pdf.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/-/media/files/oap/oap-home/2024/20th-mtp-flyer-program-agenda-jp-en-rv.pdf.json)

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### Program overview and objectives
- Hosted by the IMF in cooperation with JICA.
- Objective: Provide an overview of how the IMF analyzes macroeconomic issues using its financial programming tool and through real country case studies of IMF surveillance and program activities.
- Format: Three-day residential workshop with group presentations where students undertake their own country analysis using introduced tools.
- Certificate: A Certificate of Participation will be granted to participants who complete the workshop.

### Lecturer
- Lecturer: Shogo Ishii (PhD), IMF Consultant.
- Institutional background attributed to the lecturer: Previously Director of the IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific; has held senior IMF positions including mission chief for Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam and Senior Resident Representative in Thailand.

### Target audience, admissions, and logistics
- Target: Mainly undergraduate students; students pursuing a master’s degree may also apply. Focus on those interested in working for international organizations and developing expertise in macroeconomics, international finance, development economics, and related fields.
- Number to be admitted: 20 (Participants will be selected through submitted applications).
- Language: Japanese (Note: Some materials written in English will be used).
- Fee: Free (Domestic travel fees and 2 nights accommodation provided *conditions apply).
- Attendance requirement: If selected, participants are required to attend all lectures.
- Venue: JICA Tokyo (Tokyo International Center).
- Date: Wednesday, March 27 through Friday, March 29, 2024.
- Application: Apply through https://cvent.me/ZNlol0.
- Deadline: 11:59 am, March 11, 2024 (JST).
- Contact: IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP); Email: OAPseminars@IMF.org; IMF.org/OAP.

### Program description (institutional framing)
- The IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific conducts the program, primarily targeting Japanese undergraduate students.
- The program offers instruction in Japanese by former IMF economists and practical experience in IMF macroeconomic analysis (Financial Programming) through group work and country economic surveillance simulations.
- The program description emphasizes exploration of economic surveillance of countries and development of policy recommendations.

### Detailed agenda and session topics

Day 1 — Wednesday, March 27, 2024
- 13:00 - Registration
- 13:30-14:00 Icebreaking Session: Opportunity for students to get to know each other before lectures.
- 14:00-14:10 Welcome and Opening Remarks — Mr. Akihiko Yoshida, Director, IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
- 14:10-14:40 A. The Role of the IMF: Explains the role of the IMF in the international financial system and how an IMF economist works at Headquarters and in the field.
- 14:40-16:10 B. Macroeconomic framework: Presentation of the financial programming tool; illustrates linkages between macroeconomic variables and identification of macroeconomic risks and vulnerabilities.
- 16:10-16:30 Coffee Break
- 16:30-18:00 C. Macroeconomic policies: Fiscal policy and fiscal sustainability: Explains how financial programming is used to assess fiscal policy and introduces fiscal sustainability assessment; discusses fiscal policy measures to improve fiscal sustainability.

Day 2 — Thursday, March 28, 2024
- 9:00-10:30 D. Macroeconomic policies: Monetary and exchange rate policies: Describes various monetary policy frameworks and simple tools for evaluating monetary and exchange rate policies.
- 10:30-10:45 Coffee Break
- 10:45-12:15 E. IMF Policy Advice: The case of India: Uses India as a case to illustrate application of financial programming to analyze an economy; explores use of economic data to identify risks and vulnerabilities and to develop policy recommendations; serves as basis for student presentations.
- 12:15-13:30 Lunch
- 13:30-15:00 F. IMF-Supported Programs: The case of Sri Lanka: Discusses the process behind an IMF-supported adjustment program using Sri Lanka as a case study; provides examples of key concepts and trade-offs in program design.
- 15:00-15:30 G. Explanation of Group Assignments: Explains group assignment and offers opportunity for questions based on pre-distributed written material.
- 15:30-15:45 Coffee Break
- 15:45-18:00 H. Office hours: Preparation of group presentations

Day 3 — Friday, March 29, 2024
- 9:00-10:30 I. Office hours: Preparation of group presentations
- 10:30-10:45 Coffee Break
- 10:45-12:00 J. Group presentations I
- 12:00-13:00 Lunch
- 13:00-14:15 K. Group Presentations II
- 14:15-14:30 Coffee break
- 14:30-15:30 L. Presentation by JICA
- 15:30-16:00 Photo Session and Closing Remarks / End of Course Survey — JICA; Mr. Akihiko Yoshida, Director, IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
- 16:00 - Reception

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/oap/oap-home/2024/20th-mtp-flyer-program-agenda-jp-en-rv.pdf_