Talk Description
What happens when the world turns its back on the very system that drove decades of growth and prosperity? This talk explores how globalisation - once championed by institutions like the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organisation - connected distant economies, lifted millions out of poverty, and shaped everything from the clothes we wear to the food we eat. But cracks emerged: financial crises, widening inequality, and fragile supply chains have triggered a powerful backlash. From the rise of tariffs and trade wars to the latest 2025 US-China showdown, countries are “de-risking” in a bid to protect their interests. For New Zealand, a small, export-reliant nation, navigating globalisation in reverse means rethinking how we trade, invest, and support our communities in an era of uncertainty.
Bio
Dr Kuntal Das is an Associate Professor and Associate Head of the Department of Economics and Finance at the University of Canterbury. His research spans topics in international finance, corporate finance, behavioural finance, and applied economics. He has served as a consultant for the World Bank and held research roles at the International Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank. Kuntal has also received several teaching and research awards, including the UC Business School Teaching Excellence Award in 2022.
