EURO CHALLENGE

What is the Euro Challenge?

Launched in 2006, Euro Challenge (https://www.euro-challenge.org) is an exciting educational opportunity for freshmen and sophomore students to learn about the European Union (EU) and the euro. Teams of three to five students are asked to make presentations answering specific questions about the European economy and the single currency, the euro.

What does the presentation need to be about?

• 1) Pick one member country of the “euro area,” the 19 EU member countries that have adopted the euro so far. (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain)

• 2) Examine an economic problem in the country selected (Promoting Investment and Innovation, Demographics and an Aging Workforce, Globalization and Migration, Tackling High Unemployment, How to Overcome Slow Growth, and Inequality and Social Spending),

• 3) Identify policies/strategies for responding to that problem.

How long does the presentation need to be?

15 minutes, with a question/answer session afterwards.

When and where will we need to present?

Late March 2020, likely near Chicago

When will we be able to work on this?

Two periods of Study Skills per week.

What are the benefits of working on a project like this?

Extra credit, presentation, public speaking, critical thinking, and problem solving skills; peer/school/community recognition, opportunities for prizes, and a solid addition to any resume or college application.