International Conference “The Social Market Economy in an Era of Global Disorder”

  • 28.09.2026
  • Bez kategorii

From 10 to 12 September 2026, the Krakow University of Economics hosted the International Scientific Conference entitled “The Social Market Economy in an Era of Global Disorder”. The conference was organized by the Krakow University of Economics, the Polish Economic Society, the Kraków Branch of the Polish Economic Society, and the Deutsch-Ukrainischer Bildungsverein e.V.

 

The conference was co-financed by the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation. The event was held under the honorary patronage of Bernard Ziębicki, PhD habil., Prof. KUE, Rector of the Krakow University of Economics, and Marian Gorynia, Full Professor, President of the Polish Economic Society.

The conference constituted another edition of the Polish-German-Ukrainian academic debate devoted to the relevance of the principles of the Social Market Economy and the possibilities for their application in the context of contemporary socio-economic transformations. The thematic scope of the conference covered the institutional and socio-economic determinants of economic activity under conditions of increasing uncertainty, with particular emphasis on geopolitical tensions, the war in Ukraine, threats to economic security, demographic change, financial instability, digitalisation, and the development of artificial intelligence. A significant part of the discussion was also devoted to institutional resilience, the ordoliberal foundations of economic order, and the determinants and directions of Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.

 

Opening of the Conference

The conference was opened and moderated by Maria Urbaniec, PhD habil., Prof. KUE, Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Krakow University of Economics, Vice President of the Polish Economic Society, and President of its Kraków Branch.

The conference participants were welcomed by:

  • Mateusz Folwarski, PhD habil., Prof. KUE, Vice-Rector for Financial Policy and Development of the Krakow University of Economics, representing Bernard Ziębicki, PhD habil., Prof. KUE, Rector of the Krakow University of Economics;
  • Marian Gorynia, Full Professor, President of the Polish Economic Society;
  • Sebastian Płóciennik, PhD habil., Director of the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation; and
  • Piotr Pysz, PhD habil., representing the Gesamteuropäisches Studienwerk in Vlotho.

In their opening remarks, the speakers emphasized the importance of the Social Market Economy as a concept of economic order, highlighting its continued relevance and usefulness in the context of global disorder. They stressed the need for in-depth reflection on the potential application of Social Market Economy principles in addressing contemporary geopolitical, economic, and social challenges.

The speakers also underscored the importance of international academic dialogue and cooperation among scholars and experts from Poland, Germany, and Ukraine in the search for solutions that foster economic stability, competitiveness, social cohesion, and the strengthening of the institutional foundations of economic order.

Scientific Programme

The conference programme comprised five plenary sessions and five parallel sessions. The presentations and discussions addressed issues related to ordoliberalism and the Social Market Economy in the context of contemporary challenges concerning economic policy, finance, labour markets, digital transformation, competition, sustainable development, and the reconstruction of Ukraine.

A special highlight of the programme was the panel debate entitled “When the World Became a Number: On the History, Origins, and Development of Statistics”, organized in connection with the Polish edition of Olivier Rey’s book. The debate was moderated by Maria Urbaniec, PhD habil., Prof. KUE. Introductory remarks were delivered by Krzysztof Malaga, Full Professor, and Aleksander Surdej, PhD habil., Prof. KUE, while the discussion featured Marek Cierpiał-Wolan, PhD habil., President of Statistics Poland, Elżbieta Mączyńska, Full Professor, and Józef Pociecha, Full Professor.

The debate focused on the origins and development of statistics, the role of quantification in analysing socio-economic processes, and the opportunities and limitations associated with the use of quantitative data in science, public administration, and socio-economic policymaking.

 

Participants and International Dimension

The conference brought together scholars, experts, and practitioners from Poland, Germany, Ukraine, and the United States. Participants represented numerous national and international academic institutions, including the Krakow University of Economics, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, University of Łódź, University of Wrocław, Poznań University of Economics and Business, Wrocław University of Economics and Business, University of Szczecin, University of Białystok, Jagiellonian University, University of the National Education Commission, Kraków, Bialystok University of Technology, Jesuit University Ignatianum in Kraków, Princeton University, IU International University of Applied Sciences, Dresden University of Technology, National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”, as well as academic centres from Drohobych and Kropyvnytskyi.

The international character of the conference provided an excellent platform for exchanging perspectives on the applicability and relevance of the Social Market Economy concept across different institutional and socio-economic contexts.

The scientific programme was coordinated by Elżbieta Mączyńska, Full Professor, Piotr Pysz, Full Professor, and Maria Urbaniec, PhD habil., Prof. KUE. The Organising Committee consisted of Maria Urbaniec, PhD habil., Prof. KUE, Justyna Tomala, MSc, Agata Miętus, MSc, and Krystyna Flis, MSc.

Conclusion

The conference served as a forum for in-depth discussion on the conditions necessary for building a resilient and responsible socio-economic order in an era of global disorder. The debates highlighted the continuing relevance of the concepts of the Social Market Economy and ordoliberalism as theoretical and institutional frameworks for analysing contemporary socio-economic challenges, while also emphasizing the need for their further development in response to technological, demographic, environmental, and geopolitical transformations.

Particular attention was devoted to the relationship between economic freedom and responsibility, the importance of stable institutions and fair competition, as well as the role of social cohesion and solidarity in shaping economic order.

An important outcome of the conference was the strengthening of Polish-German-Ukrainian academic cooperation and the advancement of discussions on the socio-economic and institutional determinants of Ukraine’s reconstruction, with particular emphasis on the role of education and human capital. The interdisciplinary nature of the proceedings enabled participants to examine these issues from economic, historical, institutional, financial, social, and technological perspectives.

The participation of researchers representing different generations and diverse national and international academic institutions fostered the integration of the scholarly community and created opportunities for the development of future research initiatives.

The conference concluded with a summary of the key findings and discussions, followed by expressions of gratitude to the speakers, moderators, participants, organizers, and partners of the event. The debates underscored the importance of continuing the international discussion on the relevance and future development of the Social Market Economy, as well as the potential application of its principles in shaping socio-economic order under conditions of global disorder.

Conference Programme: 2026_Program_Konferencji_SGR (PDF, 714,81 KB)

Konferencja SGR 2026