Montreal, March 29, 2000. Today, we are proud to announce the birth of the «Institut de recherche en économie contemporaine (IRÉC)». The main objectives of this organization are to support and encourage all forms of economic research so as to better determine the role that economic players should have on the local and world levels.

«First and foremost, IRÉC wants to promote the critical examination of topical issues in economics in order to explore new avenues and encourage the development of new ideas.» explains Mr. Michel P. Trudeau, the Institute's secretary.

To achieve its objectives, IRÉC intends to foster research, promote access to works published by universities and research centers, participate in the creation and development of new tools of economic analysis, organize public conferences and award prizes to young researchers.

«The Institute's projects rest on the profound conviction that regions and nations are and should be the principal loci of economic regulation, that the world can benefit from cooperation and that the goodwill of all socio-economic partners will lead to prosperity in the future», adds the president of the Institute's Research Committee, Mr. Jacques Parizeau

The Institute's Board of Directors and Research Committee

The Institute is governed by a Board of directors that is presently composed of nine members. Presided by Mr. Henri Joli-Coeur, the Board brings together key figures from the academic and business communities whose expertise in economic matters is widely recognized. A list of the Board's members along with biographical notes is annexed to this release.

At the heart of the Institute's activities is the Research Committee. Presided by Mr Jacques Parizeau, the Committee includes Mr. Jacques Dumont, Ms. Marie-Claire Malo, Ms. Diane-Gabrielle Tremblay and Mr. Michel P. Trudeau. The Committee's membership will be increased to 9 in the coming months with the addition of young economists who wish to contribute to IRÉC's work on contemporary economic issues.

Economics on line

As its first initiative, IRÉC has created an electronic directory of theses and dissertations related to economic issues. For the first time in Québec, a research tool in economics will be available on line.

«The Internet seemed to be the best way to make research available in order to stimulate critical thought on current socio-economic issues», says Mr. Jean Labrecque, the director of IRÉC who also points out that the directory will give students a unique occasion to publish their work.

In order to stimulate participation in this project, the Institute, in collaboration with the Fondation du Prêt d'honneur, will offer 25 000$ in prizes to reward those who submit the best work. Doctoral theses and dissertations leading to a Master's degree, in a Québec University, between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 1999, are eligible . Submissions must be received before September 15, 2000