Guiding Principles
The Young Scholars Initiative (YSI) is an international community comprised of students, young professionals, and researchers.
Our community is organized through a number of working groups set up along topical lines. In these groups, we create stimulating environments for new economic thought and inquiry in a wide range of subject matters. Additionally, the community is continuously brought together through workshops, conferences and other projects.
Vision
We envision economic thinking that is free of intellectual barriers, resonates with reality, and serves our global society.
Mission
The Young Scholars Initiative supports and inspires the next generation of new economic thinkers. As a community, YSI seeks to transform the discourse in economics by establishing an open space for economic thought and inquiry. Ultimately, we aim to renew economic thinking by embodying the change we hope to see.
New economic thinking
As young scholars, we believe that there are many ways of thinking about the economy. So what “new economic thinking” means in terms of ideas and topics is left up to the individual. What brings us together is a collective spirit of new economic thinking – a certain way of studying, questioning, and conducting economics, as reflected by the objectives and values of our community. This is what makes us new economic thinkers.
Objectives
Engage a global community of new economic thinkers
YSI brings together new economic thinkers across disciplines, cultures, and countries, to provide a community of mutual learning, understanding, and support.
Open up new ways to approach economic issues
YSI is an open space for ideas, a playground to explore new ways of thinking and conceiving economics.
The community encourages open debate, development, and spreading of new ideas.
Bridge silos and break existing silences
YSI wishes to overcome intellectual divides by integrating various schools of economic thought, other disciplines, as well as the professional sphere into our inquiries. We aim to draw and learn from all existing traditions within and outside economics, in academia as well as in the professional realm.
YSI supports the study of neglected subjects and questions in current economic research, including but not limited to issues of power, environmental deprivation, radical uncertainty, ethics, distribution, and inequality.
Understand the foundations of economics
YSI fosters a deeper understanding of the philosophy of economics and the history of economic thought in order to place economic questions in their historical and socio-political context and reconnect them with the real world.
The community promotes a more sensitive understanding of the underlying methods and assumptions that are made in research and how they impact results.
Support the next generation of new economic thinkers
YSI provides support mechanisms along three lines:
A community of like-minded peers
Education, research and senior mentorship
Institutional support through the Institute for New Economic Thinking
YSI aims to bring more scholars onto the trajectory of becoming new economic thinkers
Values
INCLUSIVE
YSI is open to anyone adhering to the spirit of new economic thinking. We strive to include people from different backgrounds and embrace diverse cultural, academic, and professional experiences. We do not impose a single viewpoint and appreciate a wide range of perspectives.
COLLABORATIVE
We share our thoughts, exchange ideas and experiences, and provide support to one another. Our collaborative efforts require the ability to listen to and encourage the input and participation of others.
HUMBLE
YSI tries to build sensitive understanding of the limits of economic methods and be honest about the caveats attached to theoretical and empirical results, not only within the discipline but also visà-vis the wider public. We remain skeptical of “universal truths.” Therefore, we aim to be aware of our own subjectivities and biases and willing to reconsider our positions.
RESPECTFUL
While disagreement is an inherent part of any debate, the members of our community treat each other with personal respect.
NON-PARTISAN
While individual members of the community engage in discussions on policy and are politically active outside of their involvement in YSI, YSI as an organization does not promote any political agenda, candidate, or cause. We are aware of the inherent link between economics and politics and recognize the non-neutrality of any model or theoretical framework. YSI’s parent organization, the Institute for New Economic Thinking, is a certified 501c3 non-profit charity based in the United States. The Institute and YSI as an extension thereof will not engage in communication that violates United States or international law, or threatens the Institute’s non-profit status.
