The afternoon began with participants working in small groups, each focusing on specific themes within economics education. Later, the outcomes of these group discussions were shared in a plenary session, followed by a panel debate on educational innovation. This discussion, moderated by VU Professor Henri de Groot, featured four speakers who explored the pressing challenges and opportunities for curriculum renewal. The day offered valuable insights for the future.
Opportunities for Improvement
All the speakers identified opportunities for enhancing the economics curriculum. Arjen van Witteloostuijn, Dean of VU School of Business and Economics, advocated for exposing students to more qualitative research methods, such as interviews and focus groups. This, he argued, would complement the quantitative research methods that students already learn. Led by Professor Tjerk Budding, the school is currently in the process of renewing the economics curriculum, incorporating such innovations.
Saskia Lavrijssen, Dean of the School of Management at Radboud University, emphasised the importance of teaching students the limits of economics as a discipline. She also suggested integrating knowledge from other fields, such as psychology and law. For instance, students could be given assignments about social challenges, which they should solve by combining insights from various disciplines.
Bridging theory and practice
Speaker Esther-Mirjam Sent, economics professor at Radboud University and politician, observed that lecturers do not yet sufficiently connect economic theory to real-world practice ("the" economy). For instance, she believes that students should have a basic understanding of the Netherlands' gross domestic product, government spending, and the functioning of key institutions.
The audience expressed a strong desire for students to gain deeper knowledge of concepts such as power, inequality, sustainability, justice, ethics, institutions and history.
Solid foundation
Building a strong foundation in economics remains crucial, emphasised Laura van Geest, Chair of the Board of the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). She noted that in the policy world, not all economics graduates possess sufficient knowledge of statistics and data collection, even though such expertise is highly valued in her organisation. Other speakers agreed that core subjects like microeconomics, macroeconomics, and mathematics should remain central to every economics programme, while also allowing ample room for specialisation. A member of the audience added that incorporating more diverse perspectives within these core subjects would be a valuable improvement.
Success stories
Participants in the parallel sessions shared several tips with the lecturers, deans, and course coordinators present. For instance, teaching innovation grants have proven successful, and Erasmus University Rotterdam has had positive experiences with case studies where students tackle real-world organisational dilemmas. Inspiring examples were also shared to integrate sustainability, ethics, and broad prosperity into the curriculum, either through new subjects and programs or by enhancing existing subjects with relevant learning objectives.
Arjen van Witteloostuijn pointed out that while it’s important to look forward, we should also take pride in the quality of economics education in the Netherlands. The programmes offer extensive opportunities for specialisation, both at the bachelor’s and especially the master’s level. Furthermore, students develop rigorous analytical skills—an asset they carry with them throughout their professional lives.
Learn more
The programme for the day was organised in collaboration with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Radboud University, Leiden University, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Impact Forum, the Economics and Business Deans' Council, Leren voor Morgen, Het Groene Brein, and Our New Economy (with support from the Goldschmeding Foundation).
For more details about the programme, visit the Week of Economics Education website and stay up to date about the Week of Economics Education 2025.