The Erasmus University is reputed for knowledge in the areas of quantitative macro-economic issues and economic policy issues. This dates back from the time that Nobel prizewinner Jan Tinbergen was professor at the Erasmus University. On this foundation, SEOR performs research and issues policy advice in the following areas:
| - | Economic growth |
| - | Fiscal and monetary policy issues |
| - | Public finance management |
| - | International trade and competition |
| - | The new architecture of aid and budget support to developing countries |
| - | Poverty reduction and social security |
SEOR has learned much from experience, also outside Europe, in the areas of structural adjustment programmes, strengthening the management of public finance and macro-economic stabilisation programmes. SEOR has developed a strong track record in the field of poverty reduction programmes and other social development programmes, such as social investment funds...
This combination of macro-economics and poverty reduction issues has proven a valuable asset for policy advise to both governments and international financial institutes. SEOR provides policy advisory functions to the Royal Netherlands Embassies in eight countries on topics like the economic sections of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, the sector-wide approach and budgetary support programmes (including debt reorganisation and the monitoring of macro-economic indicators). SEOR provides series of training courses on the new architecture of aid to both Netherlands embassies and Delegations of the European Commission in developing and transition countries.
A new focal point for this cluster is research in the area of international trade and competition. This refers to the factors that determine the position of the Netherlands and Europe (and Dutch and European enterprises) in the world and to the public support mechanisms to strengthen that position. SEOR works closely with the Erasmus School of Economics of the Erasmus University, and in particular with the capacity group General Economics. SEOR has easy access to the expertise that is present in this area within the University.
As a relatively small section of SEOR, the international economics group dwells on its broad network and good contacts with consultancy companies and individual experts for the implementation of contract assignments.
