The Academic Youth Awards were presented on February 23, 2026. Twenty-five young researchers received the award, including John Szabo, a research fellow at the ELTE Research Center for Economics and Regional Studies, for his thesis entitled “Gaseous Energy Sources: Past, Present, Future.”

The Academy Youth Award was established by the leaders of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences to recognize the achievements of young researchers working in the field of science. The award is given each year to researchers who have already achieved outstanding individual performance in the fields of humanities and social sciences, life sciences, or mathematics and natural sciences.

Congratulations to our researcher!

pictures: MTA Kommunikáció

A John Szabo wins Academic Youth Award bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Andrea Éltető appears in the documentary published by the European Liberal Forum in cooperation with „Indítsuk be Magyarországot”.

At the heart of Europe’s shift to clean and competitive mobility lies a single technology: the battery. How Europe builds, finances, and governs the battery industry will determine not only whether it meets its 2050 climate goals, but also whether it can maintain competitiveness, strategic autonomy, and social cohesion in a rapidly electrifying world. Europe’s move toward clean, electric transport is both a climate necessity and an industrial challenge. Batteries are the key technology enabling this shift, but they come with hidden costs and difficult trade-offs involving the environment, supply chains, and geopolitics.

We have to be ready to take responsibility for the entire value chain: the batteries we use in Europe must be sustainable, safe, and must not place us in harmful dependencies on countries that could use them against us. So Europe can be both green and independent.

Our documentary examines the true costs and complexities behind Europe’s shift to electric mobility. It explains how batteries bring not only technological and economic opportunities but also environmental, social, and geopolitical challenges. Through case studies and expert analyses, the publication explores Europe’s dependence on foreign battery producers, the impact of large manufacturing projects on local communities and the environment, and the difficult balance between competitiveness, sustainability, and strategic autonomy. It offers clear insights and policy recommendations to help Europe develop a cleaner, fairer, and more resilient battery industry.

Published by the European Liberal Forum in cooperation with „Indítsuk be Magyarországot”. The publication received financial support from the European Parliament. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) alone. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Watch the documentary here.

A Andrea Éltető in Behind the Batteries: Hidden Costs of Green Mobility Documentary bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

12TH THE ROLE OF THE STATE IN VARIETIES OF CAPITALISM (SVOC) INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

‘New Perspectives on (New) Industrial policies in the Era of Geoeconomic Shifts’

Date:

June 1-2, 2026

Venue:

HTK, 1097 Budapest, Tóth Kálmán utca 4.

Organiser:

Institute of World Economics, ELTE Centre for Economic and Regional Studies

Form:

in-person

The 2026 Conference Theme

Industrial policy was once described as “the policy that shall not be named” (Cherif and Hasanov, 2019), but it has re-emerged as a widely embraced, almost universal remedy to economic challenges, triggering intense academic and policy debates.

An age of ‘new industrial policy’ (Juhász – Lane – Rodrik, 2024, Juhász – Lane, 2024) has thus dawned. Its aim is “to steer a sustainable structural change of our economies and societies towards sustainable human development” in the post-COVID era (Ferrannini et al, 2021: 1). Redesigned and reformulated industrial policy has become “limitless” (Voszka, 2019), as today (1) it extends beyond what was its traditional sector, manufacturing; (2) its geographical scope has expanded from ‘latecomer economies’ to developed ones, such as the United States and the European Union; (3) territorial focus moved beyond the national level to include local and supranational initiatives; and (4) main objectives have expanded beyond structural transformation to include social aspects, sustainability and the green transition, techno-nationalism, as well as geopolitical and geoeconomic rivalry in addition to the spread of artificial intelligence which provides momentum for disruptive change (Acemoglu, 2025).

The conference contributes to ongoing theoretical and policy debates as well as advanced empirical research in comparative and international political economy on (re-)industrialization and industrial policy. It has a particularly strong focus on the challenges of the green and digital transitions as well as the implications of techno-nationalist and geoeconomic rivalries.

The 12th SVOC International Conference invites scholars to present novel work on industrial transformations and their broader implications for economies, societies, and political regimes. We encourage submissions that adopt different levels of analysis, including the global, national, local, and sectoral levels. We welcome contributions that offer a better understanding of new industrial policies, especially in relation to structural change, infrastructural development, the green transition, and other dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development. In addition, we encourage interested researchers to submit papers especially (but not exclusively) on the following themes:

1. Cutting edge debates in theoretical perspectives on new industrial policies;
2. Empirical research on new industrial policies (country case studies, sectoral approaches, comparative analysis);
3. New infrastructural developments (transnational networks, national investments, industrial infrastructures);
4. Sustainable development, green transition: challenges and policy options;
5. The reshuffling of global value chains: theoretical debates and new empirical evidence;
6. Comparative capitalism, growth models and welfare states (recent theoretical advances, case studies and comparative analyses);
7. Central and Eastern Europe-focused analyses;
8. New industrial policies: implications from and for the Global South.

Abstracts (max. 300 words)are welcome until 20 February 2026. Please, send the title and the abstract to svoc@krtk.elte.hu. Notifications of acceptance will be sent by the 6 March 2026.

Keynote Speakers

Réka JUHÁSZ, University of British Columbia

Title: Insights from the New Economics of Industrial Policy

and

Petr PAVLÍNEK, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Title: TBA

Registration fees

Early bird fee (discount available until 31 March 2026): 60 EUR (for PhD students 40 EUR)

Regular fee (payment deadline 30 April 2026): 80 EUR (for PhD students 60 EUR)

Important dates

Abstract submission:                                       20 February 2026

Notification of acceptance:                               6 March 2026

Conference fee payment (early bird):                31 March 2026

Conference fee payment (regular):                    30 April 2026

Conference:                                                    1–2 June 2026

SVOC Scientific Board Members

István BENCZES (Corvinus University Budapest, Institute of World Economics)

Beáta FARKAS (University of Szeged)

Dániel MUTH (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

Judit RICZ (Corvinus University Budapest, Institute of World Economics)

Dorottya SALLAI (London School of Economics)

Magdolna SASS (Institute of World Economics)

John SZABÓ (Institute of World Economics)

Miklós SZANYI (Institute of World Economics, University of Szeged)

Ágnes SZUNOMÁR (Corvinus University Budapest, Institute of World Economics)

Organisation

The following e-mail address svoc@krtk.elte.hu is the primary communication channel for SVOC 2026. Participants can simply submit abstracts and papers by sending them to this email address. All information issued by the organisers will also be sent from this e-mail.

The primary organizers of the conference are as follows:

Emese DOBOS            dobos.emese@krtk.elte.hu

Zsófia BALLER          baller.zsofia@krtk.elte.hu

While communication through the above-mentioned central conference e-mail is to be prioritised, participants are welcome to contact the organizers directly, if they need:

• An official invitation letter for visa applications;
• An invoice for the conference fee or help with transferring the conference fee;
• Assistance, suggestions in making travel and accommodation arrangements, etc.

DOWNLOAD CALL FOR PAPERS HERE

A Call For Papers – 12th SVOC 2026 Conference bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Date: 02 December 2025 12:30 (CET)/ 14:30 (TRT)
Organiser: Institute of World Economics, ELTE Centre for Economic and Regional Studies

Program

12:30 – Opening words: Magdolna Sass

12:40 – Gábor Fodor: 100 years of Hungarian-Turkish relations
13:10 – Erzsébet N. Rózsa: Hungary and its “eastern opening” policy
13:40 – Sedat Aybar and Magdolna Sass: Hungary-Türkiye Economic Relations: Trade, Investment and Strategic Cooperation
14:10 – Tamás Szigetvári: Hungary and the Organization of the Turkic States

14:40 – Closing words: Magdolna Sass

A Hungary and Türkiye: 100 years of diplomatic relations, history, diplomacy and economy – Conference bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

On November 21, 2025, the Institute of World Economics at the Research Centre for Economics and Regional Studies held its eleventh prestigious international conference, entitled “The Role of the State in Variants of Capitalism – East-Central European perspectives in the era of new geopolitical, geoeconomic rivalries.” This year, the event was organized on a smaller scale, as an invitation-only professional workshop. The leading experts on the topic participated in person and discussed the economic opportunities and strategies of Central and Eastern European countries considering the latest global economic trends in a series of panel discussions.

The plenary lecture initiating the debate was given by László Csaba (PhD, Central European University and professor at Corvinus University of Budapest). In his lecture, he analysed the various driving forces and aspects of the new global disorder. After clarifying the concepts, he first highlighted the main milestones leading to chaos, then examined the role of the main actors and its transformation. Finally, he summarized the main conclusions regarding the global world order (disorder). The very dynamic, exciting and richly illustrated presentation was followed by numerous comments and an exciting discussion, in which the participants drew the speaker’s attention primarily to the security dimension (specifically the development of the defense industry) and the increase in debt.

The panel presentations covered three main topics. The first focused on the crises of capitalism and issues of economic growth sustainability. The second panel analysed regional responses to European development paths, while the third panel discussion examined the opportunities for small Central and Eastern European countries from the perspective of various actors. Half of the speakers were Hungarian researchers and half were foreign researchers, so the presentations provided a good overview of the latest developments and challenges in our region, as well as the differences and similarities. We plan to publish the materials from these extremely high-quality presentations in an edited volume and a special issue of a journal, if possible.

The event was hosted by HTK (Budapest, Tóth Kálmán utca 4.).

The program is available here.

Next year’s SVOC conference will explore the latest industrial policy perspectives and challenges and, unusually, will be held in June 2026. We are pleased to announce that Réka Juhász (University of British Columbia), one of the leading representatives and active shapers of today’s industrial policy discourse in international academic literature, has accepted our invitation to give the keynote plenary lecture.

A 11th SVOC International Conference – Report bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Date: 02 December 2025 12:30 (CET)/ 14:30 (TRT)

Organiser: Institute of World Economics, ELTE Centre for Economic and Regional Studies

Venue: ZOOM

Invitation: here

Program

12:30 – Opening words: Magdolna Sass

12:40 – Gábor Fodor: 100 years of Hungarian-Turkish relations
13:10 – Erzsébet N. Rózsa: Hungary and its “eastern opening” policy
13:40 – Sedat Aybar and Magdolna Sass: Hungary-Türkiye Economic Relations: Trade, Investment and Strategic Cooperation
14:10 – Tamás Szigetvári: Hungary and the Organization of the Turkic States

14:40 – Closing words: Magdolna Sass

Participation is free of charge, but you need to register at vgi.titkarsag@krtk.hu and you will receive the ZOOM link to join no later than 8.00 on the day.

A Hungary and Türkiye: 100 years of diplomatic relations, history, diplomacy and economy – Conference bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

On October 3, 2025, Emese Dobos hosted a delegation of researchers from the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS).

The members of the delegation were:

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chien Thang – Director General of the Institute for European and Americas Studies
• Pham Hung Tien – Senior Researcher, Lecturer
• Bui Viet Hung – Senior Researcher
• Tran Thi Thu Huyen, MBA – Senior Researcher

The delegation arrived in Budapest as part of the project titled “Solutions to Ensure Corporate Social Responsibility Implementation by Vietnamese Enterprises in the Context of Vietnam’s New Generation FTAs”.

A Delegation from the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences visits the Institute for World Economics bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Article by Zsófia Hajnalon the Institute of World Economics’ blog

Complaints on stagnation and recessionary impacts have constantly accompanied recent discussion and debate about Germany’s economy, both in its segments and various industries. More often than not, traditional indicators (which have recently turned out to be even gloomier than previously thought) have reflected these worries. The state of Germany’s economy is decisive of near future trends for several industries in the European Union, with networks such as the automotive and pharmaceutical being in the focus of economic monitoring. Events and decisions within the broader German economic sphere, be they positive or negative in terms on the consequences to bear, ripple through the European value chains, as well as the financial web, with Hungary – through trade and industrial links – being a prime example of the countries impacted.

Whilst the broader geopolitical and technological contexts hold several hypotheses and clues that are more straightforward on the reasons for such economic trends, it might be worth taking a brief look at the accompanying phenomena on the micro-level as well. Traditional indicators remain of primary consideration when it comes to evaluation and prognosis, however, some unconventional indicators in the realm of consumption habits might signal in advance, or confirm economic states and their changes too…

A Three Unorthodox Recession Indicators and Their Applicability to the German Economy bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

At the annual KRKT Conference held on September 23, 2025, the Institute of World Economics had the honor of having four of its colleagues receive Director General recognition. The certificates were presented by Imre Fertő, Director of the Research Center for Economics and Regional Studies. Tamás Csontos and Emese Dobos accepted the awards in person, while Magdolna Sass, Director of the Institute, accepted the awards on behalf of Andrea Szalavetz and Andrea Vincze.

The award winners from the Institute for World Economics were:

Tamás Csontos, who received the award for his outstanding professional work and activity.

Emese Dobos, who received the award for her dedicated work as a scientific officer, event organizer, and for her outstanding professional work and activity.

Andrea Szalavetz, who received the award for her excellent publications and high-quality professional work in recent years.

Andrea Vincze, who has been the backbone of the VGI for decades.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank them and the other members of the research institute for their dedicated work.

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On 26 May 2025, the Centre of Excellence qualifications were awarded at the headquarters of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA) in Széchenyi Square.

On 16 July 2024, Tamás Freund, President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, on the recommendation of the MTA Research Site Qualification Council, announced the call for applications for the MTA Centre of Excellence for research sites of universities and research institutes. 25 research sites submitted applications for the designation by 30 September 2024, and the evaluation was carried out with the assistance of the scientific committees of the Academy of Sciences, the anonymous reviewers proposed by the scientific departments, 8 competent departments and the Research Site Qualification Council (RSQC).

The prestigious academic recognition was awarded to 14 scientific workshops this year, including the HUN-REN CERS Institute of World Economy. Emese Dobos, Assistant Research Fellow, received the award on behalf of the Institute.

“This award means a lot to us, as it is given by the Academy of Sciences in recognition of excellent scientific work not only at the national level, but also at the international level.” – Emese Dobos, Assistant Research Fellow at the World Economic Institute

Read more about the event here.

Photos: Tamás Szigeti, MTA

A The Institute of World Economics has been named an MTA Centre of Excellence bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.